MINISTRY OF EMERGENCY SITUATIONS OF THE

REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN STATE AGENCY FOR WATER RESOURCES

MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES IN

AZERBAIJAN

ARIF AXUNDOV, M.VAN DER RUYT, ELNAR SULTANOV SAWR

“DELTARES”

BAKU, FEBRUARY 2012

WATER RESOURCES OF AZERBAIJAN Water recourses in Azerbaijan are comprised of surface and

ground waters Surface water resources make 28,5÷30,5 km3 During dry years they tend to decrease up to 22.6 km3 Average annual water deficiency makes -3,7 km3 and 4,75 km3 during dry years . 10-12 km3 of water is used from natural water sources during a year and 65-70% or 6,56-8,87 km3 is utilized, from which ✸ agricultural needs make 58-65% ✸ technical water supply - 25-30% ✸ potable water supply-5%, mainly ground water is used, estimated

reserves of ground water ~ 5 km3.

WATER RESOURCES OF AZERBAIJAN Sources of surface waters are rivers, lakes, water reservoirs glaciers and sea

waters which can be used in industrial cities. Main reserves of surface waters are accumulated in the rivers and water

reservoirs. The river network of the Republic comprises over 8350 rivers, whereby the

length of two of them exceeds 500 km, length of 22 rivers is 101-500 km, of 40 rivers is 51-100 km, of 107 rivers is between 26-50 km respectively. The length of 8188 rivers is less than 25 km, including 7866 rivers are less than 10 km and these rivers are classified as small rivers.

The rivers in the Republic of Azerbaijan generally belong to the Caspian Sea basin and specifically fall under three basins:

1. Rivers belonging to the basin of the Kur River (right and left tributaries of the Kur);

2. Rivers belonging to the basin of the Araz River (left tributaries of the Araz); 3.Rivers directly falling into the Caspian Sea.

WATER RESOURCES IN AZERBAIJAN, MAIN RIVERS

The Main rivers of Azerbaijan are: The Kur (length 1515 km, catchment area is 188000

km2); Araz (length 1072 km, 102000 km2), Ganykh (Alazan - length 413 km, 12080 km2), Gabirri (Iori– length 389 km, 4840 km2), Samur (216 km, 4430 km2), Terter (length 184 km, 2650 km2), etc. All of the

rivers except Terterchay are trans-boundary rivers.

WATER RESOURCES IN AZERBAIJAN, THE MAIN WATER RESERVOIRS

135 water reservoirs were built in the country, total storage capacity of which is 21.5 billion m3.

The biggest reservoirs are: Mingachevir water reservoir was commissioned in 1953,

total volume is 15730 mln m3 Shamkir reservoir was commissioned in 1982, total

volume is 2677 mln m3 Araz reservoir was commissioned in 1971, total volume is

1254 mln m3 Sarsang reservoir was commissioned in 1976, total

volume is 565 mln m3

WATER RESOURCES IN AZERBAIJAN AND MANAGEMENT THEREOF

Despite of water deficiency there are great opportunities for development of agricultural crops in Azerbaijan

The territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan constitutes 8641500 Ha, about 12% of which are forests, 1.7% water basins, 54.9 % arable lands fit for agricultural purposes, including 30.6% pastures and hayfields, and 31.4% are classified as miscellaneous lands.

Population of the country by January 01, 2011 is 9111.1 million, density of population is 115 per km2.

Per capita water recourses originating in the country, including the ground waters make 966 m3 in total. edir.

REGULATIONS AND LAWS GOVERNING WATER RELATIONS

Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Melioration and irrigation” (1996)

⇒ this Law was amended and supplemented in April 30, 2004

Water Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan (1997) Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On the Water

Economy of Municipalities” (2001) Law of the Azerbaijan on the “Safety of Hydro-

technical Structures” (2002) Water relations are governed with a number of

edicts and rules developed in compliance with these laws

MAIN ISSUES RELATED WITH WATER RESOURCES OF AZERBAIJAN:

Shortage of water resources. Average annual water shortage is 3,7 km3, during dry years is 4,75 km3. According to Second Country Information on the UN Climate Change Framework Convention it is forecasted that due to the climate change the water resources shall decrease by additional 23% till 2021-2050, which shall intensify the water deficiency problem.

Establishment of 65-70 % of surface water resources at the account of trans-boundary rivers (over 21).

Heavily polluted state of trans-boundary rivers at the moment of flowing into the territory of the country.

Uneven distribution of the internal rivers across the country and lack of flow control

Often reoccurrence of floods and flash floods Imperfection of the management structure

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND TREATIES IN THE FIELD OF WATER THAT AZERBAIJAN JOINED

Convention on “Protection and use of trans-boundary water flows and international lakes” (March 17, 1992, Helsinki) - 03.08.2000

Water problems and health Protocol of the Convention on “Protection and use of trans-boundary water flows and international lakes” - London, 09.01.2003

Convention “On Environmental Impact Assessment in trans-boundary context” (February 25 fevral, 1991, Espo) -25.03.1999

Convention on Trans-boundary Impact of Industrial Accidents - 16.06.2004

UN Convention on the “Access to information related to environment, community participation in decision making and openness of justice court” (June 25, 1998 Denmark, Orkhus) -23.03.2000

MEMBERSHIP OF AZERBAIJAN MELIORATION AND WATER ECONOMY JSC IN THE INTERNATIONAL WATER

ORGANIZATIONS

World Water Council (since 1997); Organization for Global Water Cooperation (since 2002); International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage

(since 2006)

MANAGEMENT OF TRANS-BOUNDARY WATER RESOURCES

Use of water resources of the trans-boundary rivers with Georgia, including the Kur and Khram rivers is currently regulated not with intergovernmental Treaty but with the bilateral contracts (agreements).

Iran-Azerbaijan Commission established subject to agreement signed between the Islamic Republic of Iran and former USSR on July 27 1963 annually considers issues re joint use of water and energy resources of the Araz River and and resolves any problems that arise out of such use. An intergovernmental Treaty on the Demarcation of Waters has not been signed yet.

Samur being a trans-boundary river is playing a crucial role in providing water supply of population and irrigation of the lands in the areas from Russian border through the cities of Baku and Sumgayit and Absheron peninsula is jointly used in compliance with Protocol of 1967. An Agreement was signed between Azerbaijan and Russia on September 3, 2009 on joint use of water resources of the Samur river.

MANAGEMENT OF TRANS-BOUNDARY WATER RESOURCES

Since the Upper Garabagh and territories of surrounding regions are occupied by Armenia, it is impossible to deal with the issues on the use and protection of the water resources of the trans-boundary rivers.

Irrigated lands under occupation – 125 thousand Ha There are 8 water reservoirs and other melioration and water

economy entities with total water capacity of 640 million m 3. The Sarsang water reservoir with total volume of 565 mln. km3 is

located in the occupied zone. The fact that no water is supplied to agricultural crops across 100 thousand Ha is resulting in serious losses to economy of the adjacent districts every year.

Sarsang reservoir being the highest dam (125 m) in the country has not been maintained duly therefore any possible accident shall put under threat lives of 400 thousand people residing in over 130 settlements in the lower flow of the reservoir.

AZERBAIJAN IS AN ANCIENT LAND OF IRRIGATION AND

CULTIVATION

For its natural-climatic and relief conditions the 4.49 mln ha of country’s territory is used for agricultural and 3.2 mln ha for irrigation purposes.

Currently, there are 1.6 mln. ha of arable lands, 1432,7 thousand ha of which is irrigated and 125 thousand ha is under occupation.

Across 610 thousand ha the complex ameliorative measures have been executed, and though the soil quality was improved there were no opportunities for the increase of the level of ground waters.

Share of agricultural crops produced in the country per irrigated lands is about 90%.

DEVELOPMENT DYNAMICS OF THE COUNTRY’S IRRIGATED LANDS (THOUSAND HA)

1432

1453

1453

1263

1160

1040880

685

630

510

550

100

400

700

1000

1300

1600

1913 1925 1935 1945 1955 1965 1975 1985 1995 2000 2005

MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE OF THE WATER RESOURCES IN THE COUNTRY

The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan carries out hydrological and meteorological monitoring, monitors ecological condition of the waters, prepares cadastre of surface and ground waters;

Azerbaijan Amelioration and Water Economy Open Joint Stock Company supplies the arable lands with irrigation water, manages the operation of state-owned amelioration and irrigation systems, maintains the state accounting of water use;

“Azersu” Open Joint Stock Company supplies population with potable water; “Azerenergy” Open Joint Stock Company produces hydropower in the water reservoirs; State Agency for Water Resources of the Ministry of Emergency Situations

was newly established to improve the management of water resources.

WATER ECONOMY SYSTEM

Water reservoirs - 135 total volume - 21.5 bln. m3 Weirs - 16 Irrigation canals - 52.1 thous km Collector-drainage network - 29.8 thous km Pumping stations - 941 ədəd pump capacity - 712.5 MW Sub-artesian wells - 7212 Various hydro-technical structures - 117 thousand Dikes - 1775 km Including rock-fill and concrete - 132 km

MAIN PROBLEMS OF WATER ECONOMY SYSTEM

Main diversion canals, water reservoirs, weirs and main collectors of the country have been used for many years without any technical repair and maintenance and have therefore deteriorated;

Over 90% of the irrigation canals are in soil channels which leads to major water losses;

Raising of the Caspian Sea level has deteriorated the amelioration of the irrigated lands across the coastline;

Dikes mainly made of soil are deformed; Limited river cannel capacity caused by channel

sedimentation.

MAIN PROBLEMS OF WATER ECONOMY SYSTEM Since there is no integrated solution of the mentioned problems

flash floods, floods and submergences would annually cause serious loss and damage to the economy and population of the country.

Floods occurring in 2002-2003, 2007 and 2010 in the Kur River were of greater scale.

Floods in 2002-2003 occurring in the Kur and Araz Rivers had submerged over 7150 private and public buildings, households and other infrastructure entities. The estimated loss was 60 mln USD.

Studies show that if floods reoccur every 100 years 15,000 sq. km would be flooded and 300,000 people may suffer consequences of the floods. Consequently, total loss may be over 500 million manat.

BITTER CONSEQUENCES OF 2010 MAJOR FLOOD EVENT

As a consequence of 2010 major flood event 70 012 ha were flooded, including 14 770 ha in Imishli region, 43 726 ha in Sabirabad region, 2470 ha in Hajigabul region, 120 ha in Bilasuvar region, and 8926 ha in Saatly region. Over 500 residential houses were destroyed, 3205 houses were in emergency state, over 4500 residents were partially destroyed, a big number of infrastructure and social facilities failed. More than 400 million USD of loss was caused to country’s economy and population’s property.

Flood frequency caused as a result of climate change has increased in Azerbaijan in 2010 by 6 times as compared with year 2000.

NUMBER OF FLOODS PER YEAR

Number of floods per year in Azerbaijan Various measures were implemented by the

Government for mitigating/preventing floods.

2 2 1 1 1 2 2 2 35

16

27

118

18

22 2225

18

1966

1968

1970

1977

1988

1993

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

A NUMBER OF PROJECTS HAVE BEEN

IMPLEMENTED IN AZERBAIJAN: A number of projects have been implemented in Azerbaijan to

tackle these problems: - “Mitigation of flood consequences” Feasibility Study -2003 - Project on measures against mud flows -29,35 mln. USD Asian Development Bank -22 mln. USD Government of Azerbaijan -7,35 mln USD. Implementation

period - 4 years. Project commissioned on December 08, 2004.

“River Basin and Assistance in Flood Management” Technical Assistance Project October 2005- September 2006

Report on River Basin and Assistance in Flood Management” Technical Assistance Project was submitted in 2008

AREAS WHERE ANTI-MUDFLOW MEASURES HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED

FLOOD PREVENTION PROGRAM Although these projects were implemented it was impossible to

prevent the floods. After major flood events of 2010 a joint National Working Group

comprised of specialists of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, State Land and Mapping Committee, “Azerbaijan Melioration and Water Economy” JSC, “Azerenergy” JSC, “Azersu” JSC, Institutes of Geology, Geography and Earth Science of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Azerbaijan and experts of Royal Haskoning and Deltares from the Kingdom of Netherlands were invited to the Group. The main and important information required for analyzing the water problems was collected.

WORK DONE BY THE NATIONAL WORKING GROUP

Main issues: Collection and analyses of data available at various organizations

Reasons of 2010 major flood event were established Preliminary issues and questions that were raised in the project

with respect to the previous years were studied Since there was not any National Plan in place for the

management of water resources it was decided what to do next for the upcoming few years

A method of phased, structural and non-structural measures had been developed for that purpose, including for the

- Rivers and hydrology - Dikes - Water reservoirs

GENERAL MAJOR DATA AVAILABILITY PROBLEM General major problem was related to the lack of the data:

Poor to non-existing digital spatial information in this 21st century (no updated georeferenced accurate map)

No accurate dike alignment and dimensions (safety level) No accurate river alignment and depth profiles (hydraulic

behaviour!) Hardly any digital readily usable information (especially on

the dikes) Use of local datum in some structures (Mingachevir Reservoir)

instead of national Baltic Sea Level unified datum Inaccuraties (e.g. outdated and non-maintaned benchmarks) Some data is hardly recorded (e.g. pumping stations) => major need and challange in data management and data

archiving . Central data base must be established.

2010 FLOOD EVENT – VISUALISATION OF EVENT Statistic data were collected and analyzed, reconstructed return

period approximately 1 in 18 years

0

200

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600

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2000

02-04-2010 12-04-2010 22-04-2010 02-05-2010 12-05-2010 22-05-2010 01-06-2010 11-06-2010 21-06-2010

m3/

s

Mingacavir

Surra

Qurasu+Tartar

Novruzlu corrected

Water balance Surra

First floodingsnear Shirvan

Outflow toSu Golu

Start spillMingacevir

Open Araz diversion channel

,

FLOOD CAUSES 2010 The river system ‘Unusual’ high discharges in the Araz (50%) and no control mechanism

(up to 1000m3/s in 2010 and 300m3/s in 2011) High sedimentation in the Kur and Araz Rivers in dry years (10 cm

annual) and no maintenance dredging Water reservoirs Shamkir and Mingachevir reservoirs were not regulated in cascade framework High reservoir level prior to the flood (79,4m instead of 77m) High discharges and spill from the Mingechevir after second flood and

highest flood wave, giving rise to prolonged floods River defence system (dikes) Poor condition of the dike system, especially along the lower Kura prone

to erosion Insufficient height and width (backlog in maintenance) Free access through pipelines and irrigation channels (insufficient

control of regulations)

SEDIMENTATION IN THE RIVER SYSTEM

-27-26,5

-26-25,5

-25-24,5

-24-23,5

-23-22,5

-22-21,5

-21-20,5

-20-19,5

-19-18,5

-18

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 2400

Səvi

yyə,

m B

S

Su sərfi, kub. m/s

Kür çayının Salyan hidroloji məntəqəsində1969, 1993, 2003 və 2010-cu çoxsulu illərin sərf əyriləri

2010

2003

19691993

DATA COLLECTION - LIDAR SURVEY

Since available maps were not accurately reflecting the existing situation a LIDAR survey was made and data was collected in GIS system

DATA COLLECTION - LIDAR SURVEY

EXAMPLE OF GIS DATA

LIDAR data proved that channel location of the Kur River shown in the topographic maps was inaccurate.

BATHYMETRY AND LIDAR COMBINED RESULTS Bathymetry surveys were conducted to identify river

channel position The survey results clearly show sedimentation of the

river channel

-20

-18

-16

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-8

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00 20 40 60 80 100 120

Series1

SOBEK 1D MODELLING - RIVER BEHAVIOUR

This is no prediction model!! Only hindcast model 2010 to determine the non-structural measures => Training needed

GROUNDWATER INTERACTION

Groundwater: Loss only high at alluvial fans Along the lower Kura only clay and silt!

IRRIGATION WATER PUMPED FROM THE RIVER

Pumped amount of m3/s irrigation water from the rivers per Region

TRANSLATED PUMPED IRRIGATION WATER FROM

THE RIVERS ALONG THE KURA

MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

The results of preliminary SOBEK and RİBASİM models proved the mistakes in the management, monitoring, water accounting, etc.

Some measures are currently implemented to eliminate those mistakes.

IMPROVEMENT OF THE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE A State Agency for Water Resources of the Ministry

of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan was established under presidential edict No 389 of February 25, 2011 in order to improve the management of water resources.

The Mingachevir, Shamkir, Yenikend, Varvara and Jeyranbatan water reservoirs, protection and water cleaning structures thereof, as well as headwork structures of Upper Garabagh, Upper Shirvan and Shamkir Mashin Irrigation Canals were transferred to the balance sheet of the MES.

MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

Upper Garabagh Canal,1958 Upper Shirvan Canal, 1958

Shamkir reservoir, 1982 Mingachevir reservoir,1953

MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

After the Agency was founded a temporary operational regime

of the Mingachevir reservoir was drafted to prevent flooding in high water period of 2011 and implementation of the regime was close monitored by the Agency.

Dike repair works were implemented as no-regret measures. As a result of these measures the inflow and outflow volumes

of 2011 that were very similar to 2010 were maintained safely, the operational regime of the reservoir was regulated correctly and floods were prevented.

STATE PROGRAM OF PREVENTION OF MUDFLOWS AND FLOODS

State Program on prevention of mudflows and floods was drafted

The State Program envisages measures against mudflows, floods and inundations, as well as activities on increasing channel capacity, improvement of morphological and flood models and creation of management models.

It is also envisages to train personnel to operate such models

INCREASING CHANNEL CAPACITY Channel alignment and dredging works have been

initiated to increase channel capacity Detailed bathymetry surveys were conducted in

Salyan, Neftchala and Sabirabad where heavy sedimentation was observed

Based on the outcomes of the bathymetry studies the work scope of the dredgers was determined

A recommended operational regime of the Mingachevir reservoir was elaborated and shared for the period of February-June 2012

AUTOMATED MEASURING DEVICES Automated level measuring devices of “Diver” type were

procured and installed in 12 gauging stations along the Kur, Tartar and Garasu rivers for implementation of hydrological monitoring.

PROCUREMENT OF VESSELS Cutter Suction Dredgers 500 type manufactured

by Damen Company of the Kingdom of Netherlands were procured, delivered and assembled in Baku. Pump capacity 4000 m3/h, length of the dredger 49,10 m, body length 36,70 m, total width - 7,95 m, depth of the main pontoon 2,4 m, depth of the lateral pontoon 2,4 m, immersion (draught) 1,3 m, minimum boring depth - 3,0 m, maximum boring depth - 14,0 m, boring width at maximum boring depth - 52,2 m, displacement 160,0 t. Personnel of the Dredgers is currently being trained.

PROCUREMENT OF VESSELS Multi-cap and supply vessels Capacity of one of the multi-caps and supply vessels

manufactured by “Arya Shipyard” company of Turkiye is 1200 horsepower and of the rest two is 900 horsepower (YG-1,YG-2,YG-3). These vessels shall take the dredgers in tow to a certain distance and thus shall provide the supply work. Telescopic crane mounted on the board of the vessel with a loading crane capacity of 10 t shall provide various supply and support work.

Research boat (TK-1) was manufactured by “Arya Shipyard” company of Turkiye. This boat shall be used in research work (bathymetry survey, hydrography, etc.) required in dredging operation.

PROCUREMENT OF VESSELS

PROCUREMENT OF VESSELS

PROCUREMENT OF VESSELS

MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

The next step shall be: improvement of legislation in the area of water

relations; Development of the National Plan on Integrated

Management of Water Resources; Development of a Master Plan for complex use of

Water Resources; Improvement of morphological, flood and

management models; Establishment of a local and regional awareness

system; Improvement of hydrological observation system;

MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES Implementation of projects to prevent adverse effects

of mudflows and floods through dike reinforcement and building activities;

Continue activities aimed at increasing channel capacity;

Identification of mudflow and flood threats and risk assessment;

Development of Emergency Readiness Plan, etc.

MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

Thank you very much for attention!

arif.akhundov@fhn.gov.az arif-axundov@mail.ru Tel.:+994125124833 Fax: +994125124802