The water level in Lake Balkhash managed to stabilize at the optimal level
The ecological state of Lake Balkhash remains in the focus of attention of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan. As First Vice Minister of the Department Nurlan Aldamzharov said at a briefing in the Central Communications Service, the water level in the lake was stabilized at the optimal level. Due to the preservation of the average long-term flow along the Ili River and the implementation of a set of environmental measures, the reservoir level is maintained at an altitude of 341 meters along the Baltic Sea system. Over the past two years, about 30 billion cubic meters of water have been sent to Balkhash, which made it possible to minimize the risks of degradation of the unique ecosystem, the press service of the ministry notes.
The issues of filling Balkhash are closely related to international cooperation, since a significant part of the runoff is formed on the territory of neighboring states. Currently, Kazakhstan and China are preparing a draft Agreement on water allocation on transboundary rivers. In addition, an agreement was reached on the construction of a joint water distribution facility on the Ulken Ulasty River.
As Nurlan Aldamzharov emphasized, in the context of climate change and increasing water consumption in the region, cross-border cooperation issues are of strategic importance for the country’s water and environmental security.
Original (in Russian): Уровень воды в озере Балхаш удалось стабилизировать на оптимальной отметке
