Ayvacık Dam

Ayvacık Dam is a dam constructed on the Çayı River in the Ayvacık district of Çanakkale province, Türkiye. Built for irrigation and drinking water purposes, construction began in 2002 and the dam was commissioned in 2008. It has a zoned earth-rockfill structure with a clay core. At normal pool elevation, its reservoir volume is 39 hm³ and the lake surface area measures 3.42 km².

Çanakkale Ayvacık Dam (DSİ Facebook Account)

When reservoirs are built on rivers, they transform lotic ecosystems into lentic ecosystems, causing significant changes in aquatic life. Ayvacık Dam is one such water body with potential for aquatic product production. However, comprehensive studies on the chemical properties and biological structure of the dam’s water have not been conducted.

Research conducted at Ayvacık Dam has examined the population of the freshwater roach (Alburnus chalcoides). Field studies carried out in 2014 analyzed a total of 726 individual, revealing that their ages ranged from 0 to IV age groups. Individual body lengths varied between 6.0 and 21.7 cm, while weights ranged from 1.58 to 90.20 g. Growth parameters and mortality rates for this species were calculated, leading to the conclusion that there is no excessive fishing pressure and that the population is being utilized at a sustainable level.

Studies have analyzed the age, length, and weight frequency distributions of Alburnus chalcoides in the dam. The most dominant age group was the 0-year class, accounting for 53.50 percent. The majority of individuals examined were 10 cm or smaller in length. Analysis of population parameters determined the length-weight relationship to be W=0.00705L³,0528.

In the Alburnus chalcoides population of Ayvacık Dam, the natural mortality rate (M: 0.325) is very close to the fishing-induced mortality rate (F: 0.321). The total mortality rate (Z: 0.646) and exploitation rate (E: 0.497) have been calculated, leading to the conclusion that the population is not overexploited and is under balanced fishing pressure.

Ayvacık Dam is a significant structure built in Çanakkale province to manage water resources and meet water demands. Research on its environmental impacts and the fish populations in its reservoir demonstrates the contribution of such habitats to biological diversity. More detailed studies on the dam’s water quality, ecological structure, and effects on fisheries are essential for sustainable use.