ITU Pond Watershed Management
As part of its sustainability vision, İstanbul Technical University (ITU) has implemented a watershed management strategy to protect the biodiversity of the ITU Pond. This strategy includes restoring the campus pond and its surrounding landscape, thereby
enhancing both ecological health and water management efficiency. The new spillway system allows excess water to overflow safely into an open channel and collector without damaging nearby structures, maintaining stable aquatic conditions, and preventing
erosion. The rain-fed artificial pond, designed to remain functional during periods of low rainfall or drought, effectively supports irrigation via gravity flow, reducing energy consumption and promoting sustainable water-use principles.
Beyond its technical function, the pond serves as a living ecosystem, supporting diverse species of flora and fauna. Surrounded by forested areas on ITU’s Ayazağa Campus, it provides an essential refuge for urban wildlife and contributes
to local climate regulation.
To safeguard this biodiversity, ITU regularly monitors the pond’s water quality, tracking parameters
such as total nitrogen, phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll-a levels. The ITU Water Management Directive prevents pollutants from entering the pond and its watershed. At the same time, the ITU Directive on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity and Ecosystems ensures
that all new campus developments respect natural habitats and protect wildlife.
Additionally, ITU engages students, researchers, and the public in biodiversity awareness and monitoring activities, including annual BioBlitz events that catalogue species across terrestrial and aquatic environments. These outreach efforts foster ecological literacy and encourage community participation in conservation.