Közlemények Zala megye közgyűjteményeinek kutatásaiból - Zalai Gyűjtemény 8. (Zalaegerszeg, 1978)

Lötz Gyula: A Kis-Balaton múltja és jövője

GYULA LÖTZ: THE PAST AND FUTURE OF KIS-BALATON (Resume) The march region at the western end of Lake Balaton, on both banks of the delta of the river Zala, is called Kis Balaton (Little Balaton). Previous to the middle of the 19th century, — when the water level of Lake Balaton was 2—4 metres higher than today —• this area belonged organically to Lake Balaton, as the most estern bay of the lake. The water regulating works, started from the first half of the 19th century, gradually decreased the water level of Lake Balaton, the bay became more and more marchy and miry. On basis of the manuscript maps of the archives of Zalaegerszeg and other contemporary more detailed maps, this change may be traced from the middle of the 18th century. The decrease of the water level of Lake Balaton had a damaging effect upon the environs of the lake. The eutrophysiling processes which previously took place in Kis-Balaton, passed over, since the last quarter of the 19th century, to the Bay of Keszthely. This is the reason why the water-quality-protecting function of KisBalaton ceased just at the time, when in consequence of the development of civilization, the quality of the water streaming into Lake Balaton deteriorated vehemently. In order to improve the situation the construction of such a reservoir is planned in the territory of Kis-Balaton, which is able to provide for the previours water-quality-protection function. At the planning of this reservoir, at the examination of its expectable effects, the evaluation of the data of the old maps supplied invaluable data. Thus the means and methods of historical research could be used directly at the technical solution of a present-day problem of the protection of environment.