Kazakh-Russian working group monitors Iriklinsk Reservoir

The operation of the Iriklinsk Water Reservoir located in Russia’s Orenburg region, in the upper reaches of the Ural River, is being monitored, Kazinform News Agency reports.

Kazakh-Russian working group monitors Iriklinsk Reservoir
Photo credit: orenburg.media

“Following the negotiations between Kazakhstan and Russia, a joint working group was set up, which will determine and specify water release plans until the spring floods. The working group will also coordinate the interaction in flooding period,” a statement from the Kazakh Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation reads.

Both countries’ experts regularly exchange information of transboundary water resources.

“As part of the meetings of the Kazakh-Russian joint working group, the sides exchange information on the current and planned operation modes of transboundary reservoirs. The sides are also discussing water income forecasts and estimated maximum level of water on transboundary rivers,” the Ministry clarifies.

The working group also prepares recommendations on the water reservoirs’ operation modes, including water release parameters.

As the Ministry informed, water is being released from Kazakhstan’s key reservoirs in preparation for spring floods.

Recall that in 2024, several regions of Kazakhstan experienced devastating spring floods. One of the reasons is a large amount of precipitation in fall and then sharp freezing of soil. Frozen soil prevented water from soaking into soil in spring, which led to flooding.

Another factor which caused the flood was the release of water from the Iriklinsk Water Reservoir at 1600 cubic meters per second in early April. As a result, the Ural River overran its banks and inundated adjusting areas.

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