Kazakhstan to build 42 reservoirs and modernize 14,500 km of canals by 2030

September 3, 2026 at 08:15 AM2 min

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Kazakhstan plans to build 42 new reservoirs, reconstruct 37 existing ones, and modernize 14,500 kilometers of irrigation canals by 2030. The government reported that five reservoirs have already been modernized and over 4,600 kilometers of canals are currently under reconstruction. The program follows President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's directive to digitize water management.

Key Facts

Kazakhstan plans to build 42 new reservoirs and reconstruct 37 existing ones by 2030.
The government aims to modernize 14,500 kilometers of irrigation canals by 2030, with 962 kilometers scheduled for completion in 2026.
Five reservoirs were modernized in 2024–2025 across Aktobe, Turkistan, West Kazakhstan, Abai, and Zhetisu regions.
Over 4,600 kilometers of canals are currently under reconstruction, and more than 1,400 kilometers were completed in 2024–2025.
Investment in the water sector reached 677 billion tenge in 2024–2025, a 79% increase over the previous two years, according to Acting Minister Nurzhan Nurzhigitov.

Reservoir Construction

The state program includes construction of 42 new reservoirs and reconstruction of 37 existing ones. In 2024–2025, five reservoirs were modernized in Aktobe, Turkistan, West Kazakhstan, Abai, and Zhetisu regions. Construction continues on the Karakuyys and Baidibek Ata reservoirs in Turkistan region, with commissioning planned for 2026. These two reservoirs will add about 69 million cubic meters of storage capacity. Projects for the Akmola reservoir in Zhambyl region, Karauzyak in Kyzylorda, and Bolshoi Uzen in West Kazakhstan are in preparation, funded by the first tranche of an Islamic Development Bank loan.

Canal Modernization

By 2030, the government intends to modernize 14,500 kilometers of irrigation canals. In 2024–2025, more than 1,400 kilometers were reconstructed, and over 4,600 kilometers are currently under work. An additional 962 kilometers are planned for completion in 2026, improving water supply for about 200,000 hectares of irrigated land. Mechanical cleaning of irrigation networks increased from 678 kilometers in 2023 to over 1,100 kilometers in 2024 and more than 1,800 kilometers in 2025. The Kanysh Satpayev Canal, strategic for central Kazakhstan and Astana's water supply, is slated for reconstruction, and the Big Almaty Canal named after Dinmukhamed Kunayev will be rebuilt in three stages to irrigate 33,300 hectares.

Digitalization and Investment

All key water data—reservoirs, canals, underground sources, and water users—are being consolidated into a single information system that already includes 23,000 water objects. Modern irrigation systems have saved over 870 million cubic meters of water, and by 2030 such systems are planned for 1.3 million hectares, saving nearly 2 billion cubic meters. Acting Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov stated that investment in fixed capital of the water sector reached 677 billion tenge in 2024–2025, a 79% increase over the previous two years. Coordinated operation of reservoirs on the Syr Darya maintains inflow to the Northern Aral Sea even in low-water periods, with its volume currently about 23.5 cubic kilometers.