Kazakhstan Upgrades Kostanay Water Infrastructure to Mitigate Flood Risks
The Kazakhstan Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation is overhauling the management of hydraulic structures in the Kostanay region to prepare for upcoming spring floods. Minister Nurzhan Nurzhigitov presented a comprehensive modernization plan for the region’s water infrastructure during a visit to the Karabalyk district.
Six hydraulic facilities have been repaired ahead of the flood season. In the Karasu district, construction is underway on a 14-kilometer drainage channel, while the reconstruction of the Albarboget dam in the Zhangeldin district has been completed. The dam upgrade is intended to protect nearby settlements from flooding and support local livestock farming by providing water for pastures.
State water management authorities are preparing modernization projects for an additional six reservoirs, including the region’s largest facilities – the Verkhne-Tobolsk and Karatomar reservoirs. In collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, these sites are testing automated control systems. Real-time sensors monitor dam stability and water levels to allow for rapid response to flood threats.
Local alert systems for dam failures or sudden water level increases have already been installed at four other reservoirs. In the coming months, dredging and cleaning operations will begin on the Tobol, Shortandy, and Turgai rivers.
The regional strategy is shifting from flood response to prevention. Nurzhigitov has called for strict adherence to completion schedules and continuous monitoring of all hydraulic structures. Infrastructure safety remains dependent on coordinated efforts between local authorities, basin inspections, the Kazvodkhoz state enterprise, and water consumers.
Public consultations recently addressed the deepening of the Toguzak River bed, the demarcation of water protection zones, and the deterioration of water pipelines. Farmers also requested clarification on regulations for using underground wells for irrigation and the procedures for obtaining water use permits. Relevant departments have been instructed to address these issues as part of the regional infrastructure overhaul.