Kazakhstan plans to build 42 reservoirs, reconstruct 37 existing ones and carry out major repairs on another 110 hydraulic structures by 2030. This will make it possible to store more than 2.5 billion cubic metres of additional water. In the Turkistan region, construction of the Baidibek Ata and Karakuys reservoirs, with a combined capacity of more than 69 million cubic metres, is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Three more reservoirs are planned in the Zhambyl, Kyzylorda and West Kazakhstan regions.
«In addition, we plan to begin work on three more reservoirs this year through the Islamic Development Bank. These include the Akmola reservoir in the Zhambyl region, the Karaozek reservoir in the Kyzylorda region and the Bolshoi Uzen reservoir in the West Kazakhstan region. Meanwhile, construction of the Yesil counter-regulator is currently underway with support from the Asian Development Bank,» noted Gulzat Makhayeva, Head of the Division, Kazakh Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.
The modernization of irrigation canals is also continuing across the country. Their total length is 45,000 kilometres, with nearly 1,000 kilometres expected to be upgraded by the end of the year. By 2030, this is expected to halve water losses during transportation. Around 13,000 hydraulic structures are also in need of repair. Their rehabilitation is provided for in the Concept for the Development of the Water Resources Management System.
«Under the Concept, 42 new reservoirs are planned, 20 of which will be built through the Ministry of Water Resources and the remaining 22 through local executive authorities. The Concept also provides for the reconstruction of 37 existing hydraulic structures. Overall, the implementation of these measures will enable us to store an additional 2.6 billion cubic metres of flood and snowmelt water and ensure the reliable operation of hydraulic structures,» Gulzat Makhayeva added.
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