Vakhsh River Basin (VRB), Tajikistan

Institute of Water Problems, Hydropower and Institute of Water Problems, Hydropower and Ecology AS RT, 734002, Dushanbe, 12, Parvin Ecology AS RT, 734002, Dushanbe, 12, Parvin

street, street, e-mail:obid.76@gmail.come-mail:obid.76@gmail.com

Normatov Inom SherovichNormatov Inom Sherovich

ProfessorProfessor

Bokiev Obid SodikovichBokiev Obid Sodikovich

Scientific employer Scientific employer

Institute of Water problems, Hydropower and Institute of Water problems, Hydropower and Ecology of the Academy of Sciences of Republic of Ecology of the Academy of Sciences of Republic of Tajikistan (IWPHE, ASRT)Tajikistan (IWPHE, ASRT)

12, Parvin Street, Dushanbe, 734002, Tajikistan12, Parvin Street, Dushanbe, 734002, Tajikistan

Tel: +992-934450757Tel: +992-934450757

E-mail: E-mail: inomnor@mail.ru

obid.76@gmail.comobid.76@gmail.com

Name(s) of Investigators (Key organization /Contact Name(s) of Investigators (Key organization /Contact persons):persons):

Institute of Water problems, Hydropower and Institute of Water problems, Hydropower and Ecology of the Academy of Sciences of Ecology of the Academy of Sciences of Republic of Tajikistan (IWPHE, ASRT)Republic of Tajikistan (IWPHE, ASRT)

12, Parvin Street, Dushanbe, 734002, 12, Parvin Street, Dushanbe, 734002, TajikistanTajikistan

Office tell: +992-934450757Office tell: +992-934450757

Fax: +992-37-2510404Fax: +992-37-2510404

E-mail: E-mail: inomnor@mail.ruinomnor@mail.ru

NameName of Sponsoring organization:of Sponsoring organization:

Vakhsh River Basin is one of the main basins which Vakhsh River Basin is one of the main basins which

supports the life and livelihoods of several hundred supports the life and livelihoods of several hundred

thousands people in Tajikistan. From the beginning thousands people in Tajikistan. From the beginning

of 30s of the last century water resources of 30s of the last century water resources

development has been taking place in VRB. Since development has been taking place in VRB. Since

Vakhsh is a transboundary river system- other Vakhsh is a transboundary river system- other

downstream countries of the Central Asia also have downstream countries of the Central Asia also have

strategic interest on is water resources. The strategic interest on is water resources. The

problem of water resources, use and environment problem of water resources, use and environment

aspects of VRB can be classified as follows: aspects of VRB can be classified as follows:

Present State-of -art methodologyPresent State-of -art methodology

Energy:Energy: Nurek, Baypazin Hydro Power Structures and Nurek, Baypazin Hydro Power Structures and

cascade of Vakhsh HPS are functioning as planned. cascade of Vakhsh HPS are functioning as planned.

Construction of Sangtuda -1 HPS is ongoing and the Construction of Sangtuda -1 HPS is ongoing and the

construction of Roghun HPS and Sangtuda HPS are construction of Roghun HPS and Sangtuda HPS are

waiting for decision. Small hydropower programme is also waiting for decision. Small hydropower programme is also

developed in the VRB. The general scheme of water developed in the VRB. The general scheme of water

resources of VRB and its tributaries were developed more resources of VRB and its tributaries were developed more

than 25 years ago. Since then there country endured than 25 years ago. Since then there country endured

political, economic and social changes. It is necessary to political, economic and social changes. It is necessary to

update and reformulate the scheme based on the current update and reformulate the scheme based on the current

conditions. Already developed HPS system also needs conditions. Already developed HPS system also needs

modern operating schemes with the hydro regulation modern operating schemes with the hydro regulation

covering the interest of irrigation and power sector. For covering the interest of irrigation and power sector. For

already working HPS there is a need for optimum already working HPS there is a need for optimum

operating modes operating modes

Irrigation:Irrigation: Irrigation development in the vast territories has led Irrigation development in the vast territories has led to the serious negative consequences: exhaustion and to the serious negative consequences: exhaustion and degradation of soil and water resources. Although agriculture is degradation of soil and water resources. Although agriculture is a main stay of the national economy but is not technologically a main stay of the national economy but is not technologically advanced and developed, not so profitable to support the life advanced and developed, not so profitable to support the life and livelihoods of the population. This said, requires and livelihoods of the population. This said, requires development of new strategy of development of the country in development of new strategy of development of the country in the sphere of water resources use (hydro-power and irrigation the sphere of water resources use (hydro-power and irrigation engineering). Irrigation efficiency and use of new technologies engineering). Irrigation efficiency and use of new technologies are required to save water losses. are required to save water losses.

Ecology:Ecology: Land degradation and deterioration of water quality Land degradation and deterioration of water quality are are main issues in the VRB. “Tigrovaya balka” is under the main issues in the VRB. “Tigrovaya balka” is under the ecological threat. There is a urgent need for the development ecological threat. There is a urgent need for the development of water supply sustem to «Tigrovaya balka» for it’s of water supply sustem to «Tigrovaya balka» for it’s preservation. Which needs to be coordinated with hydro power preservation. Which needs to be coordinated with hydro power and irrigation sector. Monitoring is very essential (based on the and irrigation sector. Monitoring is very essential (based on the chosen and approved indicators) of water resources use. chosen and approved indicators) of water resources use.

Climate:Climate: at present there is no sufficient at present there is no sufficient information to describe climate change impact on information to describe climate change impact on VRB water resources. It is necessary to analyze VRB water resources. It is necessary to analyze various mathematical models of climate changes various mathematical models of climate changes developed elsewhere. However it can be said that developed elsewhere. However it can be said that adaptation strategy is necessary to deal with adaptation strategy is necessary to deal with climate change impact on water resources.climate change impact on water resources.

Main issuesMain issuesa)a) Significant water losses together with ecological and economic Significant water losses together with ecological and economic

problems in VRB are connected with unsatisfactory condition of problems in VRB are connected with unsatisfactory condition of infrastructures, hydraulic structures such as irrigation canals infrastructures, hydraulic structures such as irrigation canals and drainage systems. Taking this account, it is necessary to and drainage systems. Taking this account, it is necessary to carry out restoration and maintenances of technical facilities carry out restoration and maintenances of technical facilities and improvement of water related structures and facilities. The and improvement of water related structures and facilities. The local irrigating systems worsened to the greater degree in local irrigating systems worsened to the greater degree in comparison with regional irrigating systems. The newly comparison with regional irrigating systems. The newly established organizations such as agricultural farms and water established organizations such as agricultural farms and water user associations are economically weak and do not have ability user associations are economically weak and do not have ability to operate and maintain irrigating systems properly. to operate and maintain irrigating systems properly.

The Vakhsh is the main river of Republic of Tajikistan, merging with Pyanj The Vakhsh is the main river of Republic of Tajikistan, merging with Pyanj river it forms Amu-Darya - the biggest river of the Central Asia. The Vakhsh river it forms Amu-Darya - the biggest river of the Central Asia. The Vakhsh is 691km long. The Vakhsh has a basin area of 39160 kmis 691km long. The Vakhsh has a basin area of 39160 km22-almost is a quarter -almost is a quarter of Tajikistan. The Vakhsh source is located at glacier at an altitude of 4685 m of Tajikistan. The Vakhsh source is located at glacier at an altitude of 4685 m above sea level near to Kokui-Bel pass. The river drop is about 4350 m from above sea level near to Kokui-Bel pass. The river drop is about 4350 m from source to bottom. Glaciers occupy one tenth of VRB. The Vakhsh River has source to bottom. Glaciers occupy one tenth of VRB. The Vakhsh River has 6276 tributaries and 20 lakes covering the total area of 4 km6276 tributaries and 20 lakes covering the total area of 4 km22. Glacier and . Glacier and snow are the main source of Vakhsh. More than 40 % of its flow comes snow are the main source of Vakhsh. More than 40 % of its flow comes during July to September from thawed glaciers. Thawing of seasonal snows, during July to September from thawed glaciers. Thawing of seasonal snows, springs and rains constitute Vakhsh flow. The mean discharge at the head springs and rains constitute Vakhsh flow. The mean discharge at the head structure of the Vakhsh main canal is 2273 mstructure of the Vakhsh main canal is 2273 m33 per second, the maximum per second, the maximum discharge is about 4500 mdischarge is about 4500 m33 per second, and the minimum discharge is 1420 per second, and the minimum discharge is 1420 mm33 per second. March to October flow constitutes about 87 % of annual flow. per second. March to October flow constitutes about 87 % of annual flow. Like many other Central - Asian rivers, Vakhsh is formed from merging of Like many other Central - Asian rivers, Vakhsh is formed from merging of two rivers Surkhob from right and Obikhingoy from left. Each of these two rivers Surkhob from right and Obikhingoy from left. Each of these tributaries also receives flows from upstream streams. tributaries also receives flows from upstream streams.

Table 17. Sub basin charactersistics of VRB rivers

River inflowLength, km

Basin area,

level difference

, m

km2 source

silk

Kizilsu Surkhob(r)* 254 8380 3800183

5

Muksu Surkhob (l)* 88 7070 2714183

5

Surkhob Vaksha (r) 146 7286 1835116

3

Koksu Surkhob (l) 11 1294 1823170

8

Yarkhich Surkhob (r) 48 1170 3309157

0

Yasman Surkhob (r) 30 208 3400156

8

Sarbog Surkhob (r) 81 1780 3580124

6

Sangikar Surkhob (r) 42 291 3400124

2

Obikhingoy Vakhsh(l) 196 6660 2960116

3

Obimazor Obikhingoy (l) 38 1030 3200216

8

Rangov Obikhingoy (r) 62 781 3210195

8

Syrkhsu Obikhingoy (l) 36 266 3800144

6

Note: *(r) - right (l) - left

Irrigation in VRB

№ Name of regions of VRB

Area of regions,

ha

irrigated land,

ha

Mechanized

irrigation, ha

1 Dzhirgatalskyi 456147 7567 742 Tajikabad 74785 3971 - 3 Rasht 353704 6398 14964 Tavildara 478135 1444 - 5 Nurobad 82830 2620 8756 Ragunsikyi 63265 630 - 7 Nureksikyi 30773 574 2708 Yavansikyi 93185 26979 13411

9Khodzhamastonsi

kyi 90199 19036 1379

10 Sarbandsikyi 13986 2380  

Irrigation in VRB [continued]

№ Name of regions of VRB

Area of regions,

ha

irrigated land,

ha

Mechanized

irrigation, ha

11 Gozmaliksikyi 88499 10533 285112 Vakhshsikyi 168878 21507 203413 Kolkhozabadsikyi 133742 22972 1563714 Dzhilkulsikyi 104536 19744 1000115 Kumsangirsikyi 110845 22450 854216 Bakhtarsikyi 59766 26010 343817 faizabadsikyi     14018 Dangarinskyi     169119 Kabodianskiyi     711  Total on VRB 2404375 194815 62550

(c)(c) Land Forms and Land uses: Land Forms and Land uses:

Areas and percentages of principle land uses in the VRB

Land use type

Area (m2)

Percentage (%)

Irrigation land 2023000000 6.48Pasture 8800000000 28.20

Resident2404375000

077.06

Reservoir 620000000 1.99Lake 17370000 0.06Glaciers 3150000000 10.10

Mountains1872000000

060

Forests 312000000 1.0

Average glacier contribution to Vakhsh river and its tributaries (1990s)

River Area , km2

Area of glaciations, km2

Degree of

glaciation, %

Annual average

flow, mln. m3

Glacier contribution,

Volumemln. m3

1 3 4 5 6 7

Muksu 6550 2088 31.9 3244 1685

Vakhsh2000

03138 15.7 10277 3065

Vakhsh3120

03850,4 12.3 19097 5040

Yarkhich 1170 106,8 9 1588 302

Sorbog 1760 105,6 6 2180 338

Sangikar 291 8,9 3 378 19

Pitaukul 531 61,8 12 960 221

Tamdikul 398 90,8 22.5 507 198

Obikhingoy

1880 398,2 21.2 1568 685

Obikhingoy

6600 712,4 10.8 6883 1522

Obimazor 1030 171,5 16.7 832 283

List of Hydropower stations (HPS) in use and under construction in the VRB

№ Name

Parameters

Capacity, MWt

Production,

TWt.h/year

Head,m

Useful Volume of

reservoir,km3

Cascade of HPS on Vakhsh river1 Roghun** 3600 13,3 300 8,6

2 Shurabad 800 3 55 0,02

3 Nurek* 3000 11,2 250 4,5

4 Baypazin* 600 2,5 54 0,08

5Sangtuda- 1**

670 2,7 58 0,02

6Sangtuda- 2

220 1 19 0,005

7 Golovnaya* 240 1,3 26 0,004

8Perepadnaya*

30 0,25 39 0

9Centralnaya*

18 0,11 22 0

Total 9178 35,36   13,229

List of Hydropower stations (HPS) in use and under construction in the VRB [continued]

№ Name

Parameters

Capacity, MWt

Production,

TWt.h/year

Head,m

Useful Volume of

reservoir,km3

Cascade HPS on Obikhingoy river

1 Sagvor 800 2 268 1,5

2 Urfatin 850 2,1 280 0,01

3 Shtienskaya 600 1,5 150 0,01

4 Evtachskaya 800 2 185 0,02

5Kaftarguzarskaya

650 1,7 140 0,01

Total 3700 9,3   1,55

Cascade of HPS on Surkhob river

1 Dzhadbulak 600 2 200 1,4

2 Sayronak 500 2,2 135 0,01

3 Gorgenskaya 600 2,7 138 0,02

* - working, ** - building 14978 53,36   16,229

- observation networks;observation networks;One of the primary goals of the hydrometeorology One of the primary goals of the hydrometeorology agency is to provide information on current and agency is to provide information on current and expected hydro meteorological conditions and climate expected hydro meteorological conditions and climate changes, the level of pollution of the natural changes, the level of pollution of the natural environment, and the information on hydro hazards in environment, and the information on hydro hazards in the country.the country.« The hydrometeorological agency » provides « The hydrometeorological agency » provides information to various sectors and populations on information to various sectors and populations on current and future conditions of the natural current and future conditions of the natural environment and climate: expected changes of environment and climate: expected changes of hydrometeorological conditions. The information hydrometeorological conditions. The information provided by agency is used for taking decisions for provided by agency is used for taking decisions for the agricultural planning and crop plantation.the agricultural planning and crop plantation.

Baseline information availability:Baseline information availability:

Thank You!Thank You!