The capital’s silted-up lake is being given a new lease of life

The revitalisation of Lake Kána has entered a new phase as part of a joint project between the Újbuda local authority and the property developer Atenor Hungary Kft., which is acting as the developer of the Lake 11 residential complex. The aim of the development is to improve water quality and establish a long-term sustainable, stable water system, with particular focus on managing the silted-up riverbed and eliminating factors causing water quality deterioration. As our newspaper previously reported, the investment taking place in the Kőérberek area is being carried out by SB DYNAMIC Kft..

Lake Kána was created in the early 2000s by damming the Hosszúréti Stream, but over the years the interconnected system of lakes has lost its natural balance. The incoming sediment – dust, leaves and other organic matter – created a significant layer of silt, which impaired water quality and reduced the lake’s self-purification capacity.

The project is currently at this stage; removing the sludge is a key step

Work is currently focused on embankment construction and the installation of a water-tight barrier, which will lay the foundations for the subsequent construction of water control structures. At the same time, work is underway to thin out the vegetation along the shore and to landscape the area. Meanwhile, machinery is continuously removing soil to restore the lakeside to its tidy appearance.

One of the key stages of the project involves the removal of around 30,000 cubic metres of sludge, which laboratory tests have confirmed does not contain any hazardous substances.

The water depth will be over one metre

An important element of the project is the restoration of natural ecological processes. The aim is to re-establish reed beds and sedge vegetation in the riparian zone, which will help to maintain water quality. In addition, the shoreline will be reshaped to create gently sloping, near-natural sections that will encourage the return of wildlife.

As a result of these interventions, the lake system will become a cleaner and more stable body of water, capable of regulating its ecological processes naturally. Following dredging, the water depth will be around 1–1.5 metres, whilst the increased water volume reduces the likelihood of oxygen-deficient conditions developing. The bottom drainage system, meanwhile, allows for rapid water exchange when necessary.

To ensure sustainable operation, regular water quality checks are carried out, and the maintenance of sedimentation basins is also given priority. This ensures that siltation is minimised in the future and that the lake remains in good condition in the long term.

A temporary promenade is being built along a section of the lake shore

According to János Martin, managing director of Atenor, the various stages of the project are closely linked to the development schedule of the Lake 11 residential complex. „Our part of the lake’s rehabilitation has already been completed, but discussions are currently underway regarding the creation of a temporary promenade along a section of the lake’s shore – ahead of our original commitments,” he added.

Dr Imre László, Mayor of Újbuda Local Council, emphasised that Lake Kána is one of the area’s key green spaces: it is therefore important to create a community environment that is both accessible and sustainable.

„The aim is to create a green space that serves both nature conservation and public recreation”

- he said.

The contractual deadline for the revitalisation of Lake Kána: the third quarter of 2026