Kazakhstan Completes Spring Water Discharge in Irtysh Basin

The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan has completed the spring water discharge from the Shulbinsk reservoir in the Abai region. The operation, necessary to support the ecosystem of the Irtysh basin and regional agriculture, lasted nearly a month. Over 27 days, the hydroelectric facility released more than 6.4 billion cubic meters of water. Peak loads occurred during an eight-day period, with the transit volume reaching 3,500 cubic meters per second.

The discharged water is currently filling the Irtysh floodplain downstream – within the territory of the Pavlodar region. The area of inundated land has exceeded 257,000 hectares, representing approximately 76 percent of the projected figures. The gradual distribution of moisture across this territory provides conditions for the survival of local flora and fauna in an arid climate.

Annual spring water releases are a standard procedure compensating for the alteration of the hydrological regime following the construction of dams. The artificial flood fulfills dual functions – both ecological and economic. The incoming water creates an optimal environment for fish spawning and nourishes the meadows. Soil moisture saturation ensures the growth of grass, which serves as the primary forage base for livestock enterprises in the Pavlodar region for the upcoming agricultural season.