Uzunlu Dam and Irrigation Project Made Farmers Happy

According to the information received from the 123rd Branch Directorate of State Hydraulic Works, the irrigation efficiency, which remains at 35-40 percent in open canal and flume systems, is aimed to be increased to 80-90 percent with the closed irrigation system.

Approximately 80 thousand decares of agricultural land in Boğazlıyan district center, Uzunlu town and Çalapverdi, Güveçli, Bahariye and Başhoroz villages will benefit from the closed pipe pressurized irrigation system.

The 219 thousand 239 meters long irrigation network created within the scope of the project includes 682 pre-paid irrigation hydrants that control irrigation water and 1160 various engineering structures consisting of valve rooms, adjustment valve rooms, discharge and separation structures.

With the new system, water losses in evaporation, infiltration and transmission lines will be reduced by approximately 50 percent, while larger agricultural areas will be effectively irrigated with the same amount of water.

On the other hand, the active occupancy level of Uzunlu Dam, which reached zero last year due to drought and reached 100 percent occupancy level this year with the rains, is at 78 percent level.

"Last year there wasn't even water for fish to survive."

Uzunlu Mayor Mustafa Uçar told the AA correspondent that farmers had a comfortable irrigation season this year.

Uçar said, "It was the rainiest season in the last 60 years. We know that our farmers will benefit from using the full capacity of our dam next year. The fact that approximately 80 thousand decares of irrigable land will be irrigated through a closed system makes us and our farmers very happy." he said.

Reminding that the water in the dam was almost completely exhausted last year, Uçar continued as follows:

"Let alone the water that can be used in our dam, there was not even water for the fish to survive. The rains started in early December. Our soil almost did not dry out until the middle of June. We had a very fruitful season. Despite the lack of water, the dam was almost filled and overflowed and approached 100 percent."

Uçar added that it is also very important that water losses will decrease with the closed method.