Natural and Accelerated Silting in the Red Lake Basin (Bicaz)

Abstract

The Red Lake (Hăghimaş Mountains, Romania) was formed in 1837, after the
natural blocking of the Bicaz river, when a massive landslide was triggered by two main factors (heavy
rainfall and an earthquake). Many analysis have been made, ever since it was discovered (in 1857), and
it has been proven that the lake is undergoing a continuous process of silting. Its 41 km2 drainage basin
feeds the lake with sediments. This process gives birth to other, related phenomena, such as
eutrophication. One of the most important silting causes is represented by the heavy deforestations in
the Red Lake drainage basin. Until 1989, satellite images have shown the main areas where illegal
deforesting has taken place which is an important factor for the accelerated silting. Our findings show
that this contributes to the overall silting process, which might lead to the disappearance of the Red
Lake.