UN Syria Talks to Maintain the Euphrates Dam and Enhance Its Operational Reliability
The Ministry of Energy (MoE) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) discussed ways to support the maintenance of the Euphrates Dam and enhance its operational reliability, as part of efforts to raise the readiness of vital water facilities in the country.
The Ministry stated through its official IDs that a technical delegation from FAO visited the Euphrates Dam General Corporation and was briefed on the current operation reality, where the Syrian technical team reviewed the challenges resulting from the suspension of the main maintenance works for more than fourteen years, and the consequent urgent needs for rehabilitation.
The technical presentation addressed the most prominent components that require urgent intervention to ensure continuity of operation and raise performance efficiency, in line with operational safety requirements and urgent needs to rehabilitate the dam's technical infrastructure and ways to enhance its readiness under the current circumstances.
The Ministry of Energy stressed the importance of cooperation with FAO in supporting maintenance work, considering that this cooperation contributes to ensuring the continuity of work in this vital facility, which is a key pillar of water and energy security in the country.
Today's talks reflect a growing trend by the Syrian government, represented by the Ministry of Energy, towards involving international institutions in addressing the technical challenges facing Syria's water infrastructure, especially major installations that are key pillars of water and energy security , noting that the Euphrates Dam has been suffering for more than 14 years from the absence of major maintenance, which has led to the accumulation of technical problems that require urgent intervention to rehabilitate its vital components.
The Ministry of Emergency Warns of the Rise of the Euphrates River
The Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management warned of a rise in the water level of the Euphrates River in the coming days as a result of the increase in the quantities of water discharged from the Kadiran Dam in the west of Raqqa governorate, as of today, Tuesday, April 14.
In a statement published on Tuesday (April 14th), the ministry explained that the areas on the banks of the river after the dam will witness a significant rise in the water level over a period of seven to ten days, stressing at the same time that the additional quantities "do not pose a danger to the villages and towns adjacent to the riverbed."
The ministry called on residents to speed up the withdrawal of agricultural equipment near the riverbanks to avoid damage to it, noting that the continued opening of the dam's gates will keep water levels temporarily high.
The Ministry's Early Warning and Preparedness Department warned of the dangers of moving between the two banks of the river through temporary or dirt bridges during this period, calling for avoiding their use until the water level returns to normal and ensuring the safety of these crossings.
This warning comes within the framework of precautionary measures aimed at protecting residents and property and ensuring public safety in areas adjacent to the Euphrates River.
Kadiran Dam Syria's third largest dam
The Kadiran Dam is one of the most important water installations in Syria and the third largest dam in terms of operational importance, and is located on the Euphrates River in the western countryside of Raqqa near the village of Kadiran, from which it bears its name.
The dam is located about 27 km east of the Euphrates Dam and at a distance of approximately 20 km from the city of Raqqa, which makes it a strategic point within the series of dams built on the Euphrates stream, and was officially opened in 1986, while its construction and operational works with the hydroelectric plant were completed in December 1988, and since then it has begun to play its vital role in supporting the hydro and electrical infrastructure of the region.
The body of the dam extends with a length of 3069 meters, while its height reaches 14 meters, with a base with a width of 60 meters, which gives it an important storage and organizational capacity for the river's flows, and includes a hydroelectric plant containing 3 turbines with a capacity of 27 MW each, bringing the total produced energy to 81 MW, which contributes to feeding the electrical grid in the region with stable energy.
The role of the dam is not limited to the production of electricity, as it provides about 20% of the water resources in its vicinity and acts as a main regulator of water flows coming from the Euphrates Dam, ensuring the stability of river levels and enhancing the ability of irrigation networks to meet the needs of agricultural lands.