Modernization of the Kokaral dam continues in the Aral Sea region

In the Aral Sea region, large—scale work continues on the rescue and modernization of the Kokaral dam, a key hydraulic structure on which the future of the Northern Aral Sea depends, the press service of the Akimat of Kyzylorda region reports. The implementation of the strategic project was inspected by the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan Nurzhan Nurzhigitov during a working trip to the Aral region.

The project, called “Preservation of the Kokaral dam and restoration of the Syrdarya River Delta”, is a direct fulfillment of the instruction of the head of state given back in May 2019. Then the task was set to take urgent measures to prevent the destruction of the dam and further revive the ecosystem of the region. The total cost of the works, calculated for the period from 2022 to 2026, is 4.5 billion tenge, which are allocated in stages. The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation is responsible for the implementation, and the Kyzylorda branch of the RSE “Kazvodkhoz” is the direct executor.

As part of the project, it is planned not only to strengthen and restore the damaged sections of the dam, but also to significantly improve the hydrological regime of the Northern Aral Sea. For this purpose, three new canals will be laid: two of them will connect the sea with Lake Karashalan, and one more with Lake Tushchi. This measure, according to the project developers, will create a constant circulation of water in the southern part of the reservoir, preventing its stagnation, increasing mineralization and contributing to the improvement of the entire water system.

Original (in Russian): В Приаралье продолжается модернизация Кокаральской плотины