Göyne Dam raises alarm: 17 villages receive water on a rotating basis

The occupancy rate of Göyne Dam, which meets the agricultural needs of 17 villages in Erzincan , has fallen below 10 percent due to drought and insensitive irrigation.

Water is provided to 17 villages around the dam where agricultural production takes place, on a rotational basis.

It was also observed that the flow of the Karasu River, which passes through the region and is used for agricultural irrigation by pumping, has decreased.

"DROUGHTS SEVERELY AFFECTED OCCUPANCY RATES"

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Yıldırım Dalkılıç stated that, according to the General Directorate of Meteorology's drought report covering the period August 2024-July 2025, 70% of Türkiye is experiencing extraordinary and severe drought. Dalkılıç noted that Eastern Anatolia experienced a 55% decrease in precipitation, adding:

"This has seriously affected the occupancy rates in dams. Many of our dams have water volumes well below seasonal norms.

"When we look at it, we see that many of our dams are approaching critical levels, with storage volumes far below seasonal norms. We fear that if the necessary precautions are not taken, it will reach even more critical levels."

Meanwhile, Dalkılıç emphasized the need to abandon uncontrolled agricultural irrigation, saying, "We will abandon wild irrigation. We will integrate new techniques into our agricultural irrigation policy. This isn't enough; we need to raise awareness on this issue, especially among our farmers, and everyone from 7 to 77."

"RECYCLING WATER IS PROVIDED TO 17 VILLAGES"

Abdurrahim Duman, an engineer working at the Provincial Special Administration's Directorate of Operations and Subsidiaries, explained that the Göyne Dam meets the water needs of approximately 50,000 decares of agricultural land.

Pointing out that the dam has a water capacity of 14 million cubic meters, Duman noted:

"We irrigate 17 villages through the dam. Approximately 50,000 decares of land are being irrigated. Due to the impact of global warming, we have rotated water between villages to ensure water flows. We have enough water to last for five days (when used at full capacity).

Our farmers, especially those who consume water, need to prioritize irrigation systems and use water more economically. Currently, the water level in the dam is approximately 9-10 percent.