Shardara Reservoir expected to receive up to 10 billion cubic meters of water

Central Asian countries have agreed on water withdrawal limits and reservoir operating schedules for the 2026–2027 non-growing season. During this period, the Shardara Reservoir, a key water source for agriculture in Kazakhstan, is expected to receive about 10 billion cubic meters of water.

The agreement was reached at the 95th meeting of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination of Central Asian States, held in the Turkmen city of Turkmenbashi. The decision aims to ensure sufficient water for the region’s agriculture and other needs after the 2026 growing season.

Participants reviewed conditions in the Syr Darya and Amu Darya basins during the 2026 growing season and approved water withdrawal limits and projected reservoir operating schedules for the upcoming non-growing season.

Water management in the Syr Darya basin remained stable during the growing season. The volume of water flowing into the Shardara Reservoir in Kazakhstan’s Turkistan Region exceeded forecasts. Officials expect about 10 billion cubic meters of water to flow into the reservoir during the 2026–2027 non-growing season.

The countries also discussed improving the monitoring and accounting of regional water resources. A working group is expected to be convened to draft a plan for introducing an automated water accounting system in the Syr Darya basin. The system is intended to improve tracking of water use in the transboundary river basin.

The meeting also reviewed implementation of decisions adopted at previous summits of the heads of state who founded the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea. Water management officials from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan attended. Kyrgyzstan was represented by its ambassador to Turkmenistan.

The next, 96th meeting of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination is scheduled to take place in Uzbekistan in the first quarter of 2027.