Irrigation Networks Of Surkhandarya Region And Their Role In Economic Development

Abstract

The main rivers of the Surkhandarya natural geographical region are the Surkhandarya and Sherabaddarya, along with their tributaries such as Karatog, Tupalang, Khonjiza, Sangardak, Kizilsuv, Khojaipok, Bandikhonsoy, Machaysoy, Sho'robsoy, and Panjabsoy.

Due to increasing demand for water, major reservoirs were constructed in the second half of the last century, including Uchkyzyl (165 million m3), Southern Surkhan (800 million m3), and Degrez (12 million m3), followed later by Oqtepa (500 million m3), Topalan (500 million m3), and Hangaronsoy reservoirs. Additionally, major machine-irrigation canals were built, such as Zang, Sherobod, Khazarbog‘-Oqqopchig‘oy, Qumqo‘rg‘on, Chilmirob, Bobotog‘, Bandixon, Khayrobod, Amu-Iskra, and Amu-Zang. Today, the Tupolan Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) and its subsequent numerous micro-HPPs contribute significantly to meeting the electricity demand for the economy and population of Surkhandarya region.

In particular, the 37-megawatt "Zarchob-1" HPP was launched in December 2020, and the 38-megawatt "Zarchob-2" HPP in September 2021. Furthermore, to provide the region's population with clean drinking water, a total of 382 kilometers of water pipeline was laid from the Tupolan reservoir to Termiz city and Muzrabod district, supplying 1.7 million residents with clean drinking water.