Managing Water Resources in the Euphrates -Tigris Basin: Impacts of Multipurpose Dam Operations

The planning and management of multiple dams within a river basin are critically important for the effective use of water resources and energy generation. Under the growing pressures of climate change, Türkiye, classified as a water-stressed region, faces significant challenges in balancing water availability with population growth, environmental sustainability, and energy demands. The sustainable operation of multiple dams is a vital step toward ensuring the efficient utilisation of water resources for the country's future, while addressing environmental considerations and climate resilience.

The Euphrates-Tigris Basin spans a semi-arid area of 762,000 km², covering six countries: Türkiye, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, and Saudi Arabia. The two major rivers in the basin, the Tigris and Euphrates, originate from the mountains in eastern Türkiye. These rivers are primarily fed by snowmelt stored during the winter, while during the dry summer months, they rely heavily on groundwater, making the region particularly vulnerable to climate change. Approximately 60 million people depend on these rivers for irrigation, energy production, and other water-related needs. This study focuses on the portion of the Euphrates-Tigris Basin located within Türkiye, covering an area of 18,500 km² (Esit et al., 2023; Rateb et al., 2021).

Türkiye has built 19 hydropower plants and 22 dams in this region over recent decades to store water for irrigation, energy generation, and flood control (SAPRDA, 2009). However, the basin faces increasing challenges due to climate change, including reduced precipitation, rising temperatures, and greater variability in seasonal water availability. These changes exacerbate flood risks during extreme rainfall events while also intensifying drought conditions in dry seasons. The stored water in dams is essential for hydropower production, contributing to Türkiye’s renewable energy targets, yet evaporation losses and reduced inflows pose threats to long-term sustainability. Addressing these interconnected issues is critical for maintaining water security, energy production, and ecosystem stability in the region.

Currently, dams in Türkiye are operated individually, often without coordination or consideration for downstream interdependencies, population growth, or the effects of a changing climate. Using the Euphrates- Tigris basin as a case study, this study seeks to explore the impacts of multiple dam operations in water management. The research will analyse the implications of uncoordinated dam operations on water allocation, seasonal water availability, and hydropower production. Furthermore, it will assess the potential benefits of integrated dam management strategies for improving water resource efficiency. By identifying key challenges and opportunities, this study aims to contribute to the sustainable management of the Euphrates-Tigris Basin in the face of evolving climatic and socio-economic pressures.