<p>Based on calculations of the effect of melting ice on sea level, we know that to effect a 1 mm change in global sea level requires around 360 km3 water. The largest lake by volume, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Baikal" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Lake Baikal</a>, contains just under 24,000 km3 of water. So if you created an equivalent lake you would lower sea level by 66 mm. At current rates of global sea level rise that would offset less than 20 years of melting ice and thermal expansion.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-02-11T18:22:35.450Z
2021-02-12T03:09:13.210Z
2021-02-12T03:09:13.210Z
Andy M
<p>There are empty lowlands in Australia and Iran like Dasht-e Lut. If we fill these lands with ocean water then could we reduce the global sea level and save coastal cities like venice?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-27T16:33:55.797Z
The math scales in [Did we ever record a reduction in sea level when the Panama canal was constructed?](https://earthscience.stackexchange.com/questions/20475/did-we-ever-record-a-reduction-in-sea-level-when-the-panama-canal-was-constructe) may have some applicability
JeopardyTempest
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-27T17:31:27.567Z
I doubt that would help subsidence of  costal cities built on silt and peat.  Although most  of these cites have stopped pumping fresh water out of underlaying aquafers . Maybe pump sea water into these aquifers to compensate for subsidence ?
blacksmith37
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-29T03:53:34.727Z
[What fraction of dry land is below sea level?](https://earthscience.stackexchange.com/q/3018/6535)
Keith McClary
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-29T04:17:59.987Z
Do you want to pump the water once, or continuously keep pumping?
Gimelist
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-29T22:15:48.843Z
Continuously keep pumping.
Droid Gah
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-29T22:24:10.713Z
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranrud
https://waterse.ir/fill-iranian-desert-with-sea-water/
Droid Gah
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-30T00:41:05.333Z
Thank you all for comments.
Droid Gah
<climate-change><sea-level>
It is possible to reduce global sea level via filling empty lowlands with ocean water?
Droid Gah
# It is possible to reduce global sea level via filling empty lowlands with ocean water?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-11-27)

There are empty lowlands in Australia and Iran like Dasht-e Lut. If we fill these lands with ocean water then could we reduce the global sea level and save coastal cities like venice?

**Tags:** climate-change, sea-level

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: The math scales in [Did we ever record a reduction in sea level when the Panama canal was constructed?](https://earthscience.stackexchange.com/questions/20475/did-we-ever-record-a-reduction-in-sea-level-when-the-panama-canal-was-constructe) may have some applicability  
> **username_2**: I doubt that would help subsidence of  costal cities built on silt and peat.  Although most  of these cites have stopped pumping fresh water out of underlaying aquafers . Maybe pump sea water into these aquifers to compensate for subsidence ?  
> **username_3**: [What fraction of dry land is below sea level?](https://earthscience.stackexchange.com/q/3018/6535)  
> **username_4**: Do you want to pump the water once, or continuously keep pumping?  
> **username_0**: Continuously keep pumping.  
> **username_0**: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranrud https://waterse.ir/fill-iranian-desert-with-sea-water/  
> **username_0**: Thank you all for comments.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_5 on 2021-02-11. Score: 1

Based on calculations of the effect of melting ice on sea level, we know that to effect a 1 mm change in global sea level requires around 360 km3 water. The largest lake by volume, [Lake Baikal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Baikal), contains just under 24,000 km3 of water. So if you created an equivalent lake you would lower sea level by 66 mm. At current rates of global sea level rise that would offset less than 20 years of melting ice and thermal expansion.


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