INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT

REPUBLIC OF TURKEY 

MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF STATE HYDRAULIC WORKS 

INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS 

RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT 

22-24 March 2007 

Gloria Golf Resort Hotel 

Antalya

002 003 INTRODUCTION

WATER FOR DEVELOPMENT 

INTRODUCTION 

002 003 

World population is increasing day by day. Countries have been struggling to improve their socioeconomic levels in 

spite of rapid population growth. Competition to get more than what the nature offers in order to consume more has 

given rise to the problem of resources’ not meeting consumption demands. Both the domestic and international affairs 

of nations are directed in accordance with the anxieties resulting from this problem; plans and research directed towards 

the future, economic and political alliances, wars and arms races and the principles of foreign policies adopted are to a 

great extent based on availability of energy, fertile soil and water resources. 

Though it is highly desirable to accurately assess the water resources locally, regionally and globally, a variety of 

challenges are faced by those agencies responsible for carrying out the related studies. These challenges consist of, but 

not limited to, increasing need for integration and coordination between institutions, the need for more and precise 

information on water, the effects of human activity and climate change, transboundary aspects of water resources, 

unavailability of sufficient number of competent personnel, and obviously, restraining financial resources. 

Total amount of water on earth is 1.4 million km 3; 97.5 % of this water is saline water in seas and oceans and only 

2.5% of this total is accounted for by fresh water resources. One third of the world’s population does not have access to 

clean and sufficient water resources. It is also hard to claim that usable water is distributed fairly. 

Because of the urbanization and industrialization resulting from rapid population growth, in some countries, the 

demand of drinking, domestic and industrial water has increased many times over years. The relationship between the 

nature and mankind has been to the disadvantage of nature. 

Turkey, which hosted many civilizations and where people from diverse cultures live in harmony, is attempting to plan 

the utilization of its renewable resources considering not only its own future but also the world’s future. 

Water, which has provided humanity with welfare, will continue to do so, thanks to sustainable development policies 

and the principles of sharing these resources fairly and justly among countries. 

Recep Tayyip ERDO⁄AN 

Prime Minister


WE ARE MAKING AN EFFORT TO USE OUR 

RESOURCES EFFICIENTLY 

INTRODUCTION 

004 005 

Water is vital for the survival of nations due to the fact that it is the basic necessity of people and the main resource for 

economic activities. Continuity of social and economic activities depends on the availability of fresh and sufficient water 

supplies. Development of water resources contributes directly to economic productivity and social welfare. On the other 

hand, as population and economic activities increase, many countries are becoming short of water resources or their 

economic developments are being hampered. 

As a result of rapid urbanization and intense industrialization resulting from socioeconomic development as welI as 

increased irrigated farming to meet the increasing need for food paralleling rapid population growth, the demands for 

industrial and domestic water supply and electrical energy have increased. The need to meet these demands makes rational 

use of water, which is actually a limited resource, more important. 

Public interest in economic, technical, environmental, legal and commercial issues has increased because of the problems 

and difficult situations faced in meeting rapidly increasing need for water paralleling rapid population growth in our country. 

This situation makes it imperative that the developments and new approaches for the exploitation of water and land resources 

used in other countries should be closely followed and many environmentally compatible projects be realized using new 

technologies. Consequently we have to improve the activities of The General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI) 

which has important duties and responsibilities in our country. 

Turkey realized great progress in this subject. However, the meaning of progress is not the effort itself to realize the goals, 

but to be able to benefit from the results of the effort. I believe 5th World Water Forum to be held in the year 2009 in ‹stanbul 

will realize this mission. The congress on the “River Basin Management” to be organized in Antalya will also greatly 

contribute to this goal. 

Thanks to 5th World Water Forum, ‹stanbul which embraces many cultures with its history and legacy and is a bridge that 

binds East and West, will build new bridges to spread the water values to all cultures and mankind. With common 

understanding, trust and transparency that would be carried to the summit by a sincere collaboration, ‹stanbul will illuminate 

the relations to be established between people, organizations and governments and emphasize the value of water as a resource. 

I consider that the Forum, which will be held in ‹stanbul, will be a starting point to utilize water resources. So I would like 

to invite all researchers interested in this subject to the Forum. 

Dr. M. Hilmi GÜLER 

Minister, Energy and Natural Resources


INVITATION 

INTRODUCTION 

006 007 

Dear Friends, 

Turkey has been selected as host country for the 5th World Water Forum. 5th World Water Forum and the Ministerial 

Conference will be held in Turkey in 2009 with the support of World Water Council and you all. 

The General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI) is aware of the significance of water and water-related concepts 

and will do everything possible to spread this awareness to the general public worldwide. One of the fundamental 

requirements for socio-economic development in the world is the availability of adequate quantities of water of appropriate 

quality. Water has always been the indispensable source of life itself. Sustainability of life is possible only with water and so 

is the sustainability of development. Today, water is used in industry and agriculture as well as for supply of potable and 

domestic water and water for cooling processes. 

The General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works, since its establishment in 1954, has undertaken all duties related to 

planning of water resources in our country. The design and construction of all water-related structures are our 

responsibility. DSI has built 579 dams and 47 irrigation ponds so far and has made available 2.85 million hectares of land 

for irrigated agriculture. The generation capacity of hydroelectric power plants reached an annual total of 46 billion kWh. 

It has supplied an annual total of 2.6 billion cubic meters of drinking water to cities with populations of more than 100,000. 

Furthermore, DSI has accelerated flood control measures, erosion control and forestation activities. 

DSI’s vision for the future is to become a world leader working in the water sector and an accredited agency in the 

international arena. The forthcoming period will be a time where the nations would be in coordination to benefit from the 

water resources and to avoid the risks of water. Enviromental pollution, floods, scarcity of water elicit an absolute truth that 

the countries which benefit jointly from a water resource have to plan jointly. Utilization of the water resources should be 

planned from now on the basis of the management of the entire river basin. 

The purpose of the “River Basin Management Congress” and technical exhibition is to provide a forum on protecting 

and managing water resources and preventing flood hazards. In this forum, government representatives, public officials, 

private investors, academicians and researchers will come together to monitor theoretical and practical work on effective 

use of water resources and to discuss technological advances, issues and solutions. The congress will contribute also to the 

preparatory works of 5th World Water Forum. 

I hope you will enjoy your stay in Antalya and Turkey. 

Prof. Dr. Veysel ERO⁄LU 

Director General, State Hydraulic Works

008 009 CONGRESS 

INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS 


22-24 March 2007, Gloria Golf Resort Hotel Antalya, 

General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI) in collaboration with WWC is organizing an international congress 

on River Basin Management, which will be held from 22-24 March 2007 in Antalya, Turkey. This congress will be one of the 

preparatory events for the 5th World Water Forum. 

Congress attempts to gather international experts, academicians, public and private sector representatives and researchers 

working on matters related to river basins. The aim of the congress is to exchange information on methodologies and 

techniques used in the river basin management. 

Themes 

1-Administrative Structure 

Coordination 

2-Water Information Systems 

3-River Basin Flood Management 

4-Decision Support Systems 

5-Basin Water Management 

6-Social and Economic Perspective 

Languages 

The working languages of the Congress will be 

English and Turkish. 

Venue 

The Congress and Exhibition will take place in the Gloria Golf 

Resort Hotel, Belek in the city of Antalya, which is excellent from its 

transportation, climate and capacity point with of views. 

Exhibition 

Alongside the Congress an international 

exhibition about “River Basin 

Management” that will introduce scientific 

and technical works and/or activities will 

run. In this exhibition the studies of 

related firms in construction, production 

and engineering sectors will be displayed. 

For this reason, exhibition areas will be 

allocated to interested municipalities, 

public and private organizations. 

Organization Committee: 

Mehmet GÜLLÜ 

Akif ÖZKALDI 

Sami KURBAY 

Adem Avni ÜNAL 

Cemal NOGAY 

Nizamettin Ç‹FTÇ‹ 

Dilek KAYIfi 

Serpil KÖYLÜ

Sessions of the Congress: 

Session No 1 

BASIN RESOURCES PROTECTION 

(Administrative Structure and Coordination, Water Information 

Systems, Social and Economic Perspective) 

Session No 2 

BASIN WATER MANAGEMENT 

(Water Resource Planning, Adequate Water Quantity, Land 

Resources, Flora, Living beings and Natural Life, Agriculture, 

Domestic and Industrial Water Supply, Hydro energy, Ecology and 

Environment) 

Session No 3 

PRACTICES ON RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT 

(Models, Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing, 

Expert Systems, Case Studies around the World) 

Session No 4 

RIVER BASIN FLOOD MANAGEMENT 

(Flood Forecasting Models, Integrated Flood Management 

Applications) 

CONGRESS 

008 009


GENERAL PROGRAMME 

22 March 

(Thursday) 

23 March 

(Friday) 

24 March 

(Saturday) 

Morning Afternoon Social Activities 

Registration 

Opening Speech 

Opening of the 

Exhibition 

22 March 

World Water Day 

Celebrations 

Session No 2 

Exhibition 

Session No 4 

Exhibition 

Registration 

Session No 1 

Session No 3 

Exhibition 

Opening Reception 

Dinner 

Technical Tour Closure 

Reception

CONGRESS VENUE ANTALYA 

Transportation: 


010 011 

Antalya has landway connection with all regions of the Turkey. Especially the view of 

Antalya-Isparta route is worth seeing.The distance of Antalya to important cities as Ankara, 

‹zmir and Adana is 550 km and to ‹stanbul is 725 km. 

Regular direct flights are to Antalya airport and indirect flights over ‹stanbul and Ankara are 

available from/to many cities of Europe. The distance of airport to Congress Venue, Belek 

Golf Resort Hotel, is 40 km. The travel takes approximately 30 minutes and costs 40 Euro. 

Because Antalya harbor is one of the most important sea-gates of Turkey, numerous vessels 

coming from South and West Mediterranean anchor either at Antalya Yacht Port or at the 

Great Port. The Blue Voyage starting from the South European shores carry on with Antalya 

Harbor.


CONGRESS VENUE 

BELEK GOLF RESORT HOTEL 

Gloria Golf Resort is situated in Belek- Antalya having access to the beach via a bridge over 

the Ac›su River. The hotel is built on a total area of 2.122 da. The distance of to airport is 

40 km and the duration of transportation is approximately 30 minutes. 

Congress Hall: 

Video player / recorder (VHS), DVD Player, 

CD Player, MD Player, Cassette player, Data 

projector (3000 Ans. 1024-768 pixels), 

Stationary sound system, 5x6 Screen 

(Manyas 3), 4x3 Screen (Manyas 1-2), 

Camera, Spot Lights 1000W 

Mobile Systems: 

Mobile sound system (2x300 W), Cordless 

Collar Microphone (UHF), Cordless 

Microphone (UHF), CD Player, Podium 

Microphone, Data Projector (1000 Ans. 

1024-768 pixels), 3x4 Screen (Front-Rear), 

2x3 Screen (Front-Rear), 1.80x2.40 Tripod 

Screen, Overhead projector, Slide projector, 

Dia projector 

Accommodation: 

All rooms are equipped with: Key card 

system, hairdryer, satellite TV/Interactive 

system, central heating/cooling system, safe, 

wireless internet. 

Adress: Ac›su Mevkii Belek / Antalya 

TURKEY 

Tel: +90 (242) 710 06 00 

Fax: +90 (242) 715 15 25 

E-mail: info@gloria.com.tr


012 013

014 015 GUIDE 

ANTALYA GUIDE 

Because of the archaeological and natural riches of the 

area, Antalya is also known as the Turkish Riviera. The 

sun, sea, nature and history combine to form a very 

popular resort, highlighted by some of the cleanest 

beaches in the Mediterranean. The 630 km shoreline of 

the province is liberally scattered with ancient cities, 

harbors, memorial tombs and beaches, secluded coves 

and lush forests, many of which are easily accessible 

from the city. 

With its palm-lined boulevard, internationallyacclaimed 

marina, and old castle with traditional 

architecture, all set amidst a modern city, Antalya is a 

major tourist centre in Turkey and also plays host to a 

number of sporting events throughout the year, like 

International Beach Volleyball, triathlon, golf 

tournaments, archery, tennis and canoeing 

competitions. The Cultural Centre, which was opened 

in 1995, hosts cultural and art events in the fields of 

music, theatre, and creative arts. Among the important 

artistic and cultural activities are the international 

Golden Orange Film Festival organised every year, 

Classical Music Festivals organised at Aspendos Theatre, 

exhibitions, concerts, seminars, conferences and 

colloquiums for tourists, organised at the Glass Pyramid 

and the Atatürk Cultural Centre. 

Thanks to its historical background the Antalya 

region enjoys a rich culture and ethnography. All of 

these authentic local products are sold in restored 

commercial buildings and souvenir shops in the city, 

such as Tek Kap›l› Han, Alarahan, Serapsu Han and 

Bedesten. 

As for contemporary products, all kinds of jewellery, 

gold handicrafts, silver, ready-to-wear leather produce, 

hand-woven Turkish carpets, international textile 

trademarks and all kinds of souvenirs are on sale in the 

shopping centres around the airport and at the Festival 

Market, Migros and Liman Megacentres. Antalya’s most 

famous local dishes include Piyaz, made with tahini 

(crushed sesame seeds), garlic, walnuts and boiled dried 

beans, spicy hibefl with mixed cumin and tahini, flifl 

köfte, tand›r kebap, domates civesi, flakfluka and various 

cold Mediterranean dishes with olive oil.

GUIDE 

014 015

016 017 GUIDE 

Museums: 

Antalya Museum: This is second largest museum of 

Turkey covering an area of 7000 m 2. Museum won 

“European Council Speacial Prize” in 1988. The museum 

consists of 13 exhibit halls and open-air galleries in which 

5000 traces, artifacts; mosaics figurines of ancient 

civilizations are displayed. Antalya Museum is the only 

museum that has special section for children. 

Side Museum: is in the Side district of Manavgat. It is 

8 km away from Manavgat. The ancient agora bath 

acroos the Rome bath, remaining from A.D. 5-6 century 

has been restored in 1960/61 and became a museum. 

Inscriptions, gun reliefs from Hellenistic, Rome and 

Byzantium age; copies of original Grek sculptures, torsos, 

sarcohagus, portraits, amphoras, altars, epitaps, pillar 

headings, pillar basis from Rome age are displayed in this 

musem. 

Alanya Archeology Museum: Two seections, in which 

archeological and etnographic traces are displayed, were 

opened in 1967. As the number of traces increased, there 

was a need to open a museum and so Archeology 

Museum has been opened. 

Alanya K›z›lkule Etnography Museum: The 

historical structure, which was built for military needs to 

control the harbour, is a unique sample of Seljuq 

architecture and is a symbol of Alanya. The museum has 

an ethnographic function by displaying carpets, rugs, 

clothes, kitchen equipments, guns, lighting equipments, 

weaving looms, and special yörük tents which are special 

to Alanya. 

Atatürk’s House and Museum: The house, where 

Atatürk, the founder of Turkish Republic, stayed for a 

while during his visit to Alanya in 18 February 1935, has 

been donated to Ministry of Culture by its owner Tevfik 

Azako¤lu. The museum has been restored in 1987 and 

was opened to visits as a “Atatürk’s House and Museum”. 

Perge Museum: Perge Theatre excavations were made 

by a Turkish scientific comittee between 1985-1993 years. 

During the excavations together with Dionysos, pieces of 

Kentauromakhia ve Gigantomakhia and lots of 

architectural traces were found.

GUIDE 

016 017

018 019 GUIDE 

Places of Excursion: 

Düden Waterfall: These are 12 km away from the city 

centre. The waterfalls, formed by a karstic depression, are 

20 metres high and also spring from underground at the 

point where the water falls. By entering into Dilek Ma¤aras› 

(Cave of Wishes) located underneath the waterfalls it is also 

possible to pass to the rear side of the water. The location of 

the waterfalls has the appearance of a botanical heaven 

thanks to the rich variety of plants. In the deep valley 

formed by the falling and flowing water of the waterfalls 

there are promenades and restaurants. The rock tombs 

around the valley bring to mind that the area was a sacred 

place in ancient times. After 8km the water from the falls 

forms a small creek, creating a magnificent view as it 

cascades over the 40 metre high falez rock into the sea in the 

Lara region. There are restaurants and picnic areas on the 

falez rock with a view of the sea and waterfalls. Touristic 

boat tours are organised to the waterfalls from the Marina. 

Karain Cave: It is located about 30 km northwest of 

Antalya at Ya¤c› Village, subordinated to the settlement 

unit of Yeniköy. It is a prehistoric cave. According to 

findings revealed, it was understood that Karain Cave was 

continuously inhabited in the Middle Paleolithic (Stone) 

ages. Cultural findings in Karain Cave include hand axes, 

various scrapers, jewellery and arrowheads made of 

flintstone, in addition to bones of animals such as 

hippopotamuses, rhinoceroses and elephants; pieces of 

fossilised bones belonging to homo sapiens, humans of the 

middle paleolithic era. 

Kurflunlu Waterfall: Located at a distance of 24 km east 

of the city centre, the waterfalls and their environs cover an 

area of 33 hectares. In the area, which takes the form of a 

botanical garden, there are 7 ponds connected by the 

formation of waterfalls. Kurflunlu waterfalls with a drop of 

18 metre Waterfalls and the green space and beneficial 

birds in its environs make it a new conservation area. 

Furthermore, with its picnic and walking areas, and a 

restaurant, it is a nice place to relax. 

Perge: Situated 18 km east of Antalya, Perge is in the city 

limits of Aksu District. Because of its location on the Cilicia 

- Pisidia road, it was a vital part of the province of 

Pamphylia, and was founded around the same time as the 

other cities in the area (7th century BC). It was an

GUIDE 

018 019

020 021 GUIDE 

important city for Christians of Perge who had worshipped 

the mother goddess Artemis. St. Paul and Barnabas visited 

the city and wealthy benefactors like Magna Plancia install 

a number of monuments. 

Sillyon: It is 13 km away in the southeast of Aksu, near 

Yanköy. City is founded on the way of Aspendos and 

Perge, on a high plateu in 14th century BC. Besides many 

civilizations, Seljuqs Sultanate also benefited from the city. 

Stadium, gymnasium, towers, Seljuq Mosque and remains 

of sidewall of a theatre are visible. 

Termessos: Termessos, lying 34km west of Antalya at an 

altitude of 1050 m, is situated in high Güllük/Solymn 

Mountain which is a Natural Park. Among the important 

remains are the 4200-seat theatre that had been built 

Roman stele that Augustus at the beginning of the first 

century AD. The Odeon, the covered meeting hall, has 

seating for 600 people. The five inter-connecting 

underground cisterns were used for the storage of water 

and olive oil. 

Olympos: One of the most important harbors of 

Ancient Likya, Olympos has been a subject to mitology 

throughout the history. Because of its suitable location, 

Olymposs has been shelter for pirates. Today the area is 

known all over world historical values, with its beach of 

outstanding beauty of 3200 m long a favourite sports, 

endemic plants, Caretta carettas, Chimaira, it’s favorite 

sport areas, small guest houses, restaurants, yörük style 

bungalows and gazebo tree houses. 

Ariassos: Ariassos dating back to Antikite is located on 

the 48th km of Antalya-Burdur motorway. Founded in the 

skirts of a mountain, Ariassos has the ancient remains of 

Ariassos baths and rock tombs. 

Phaselis: On the coast, 60km south of Antalya, Phaselis 

was founded by the Rhodians in the 7th century BC, and was 

known as the most important seaport in Eastern Lycia. On

the west of the city is Hadrian's Gate, with shops and baths on 

either side. The city is accessible both by road and by sea. 

Limyra: Believed to have been in existence since the 5th 

century, Limyra is still in existence despite a massive 

earthquake in the mid 19th century although was emptied 

in the 7th and 9th centuries after the Arab invasions. The 

city, which is 11km south, composes of three sections: the 

acropolis, areas of settlement, and necropolis. 

Arycanda: Arycanda is 26 km away from the Turunçova 

side of the Kumluca-Finike motorway. According to the 

excavations, this city probably existed from the 5th century 

BC. Having survived a destructive earthquake in 240 AD, 

the city maintained its prominence until the 11th century. 

Known as Aalanda in Roman era, most of its structures 

sare well preserved. 

Demre (Myra): Located in 25km west of Finike and 

48km east of Kas, Demre was one of the most important 

GUIDE 

020 021 

6 cities of the Lycian civilisation. Being a place of 

settlement in the 5th century BC, initially Demre was a 

seaside then after the connection to sea was closed with the 

silting of Demre River. The city was deserted in 9 AD after 

the invasions of the Arabs. Rock tombs, theatres and the 

Church of St. Nicholas (said to be the original Santa Claus) 

are the most interesting sites in the town today. 

St. Nicholas Church: Known as Father Christmas, St. 

Nicholas, was born in Patara near Fethiye in 245 AD. and 

died in 363 AD. St. Nicolas who was a son of a rich family, 

devoted his life to people especially to children and sailors. 

His fame come till today as a myht of Father Christmas and 

preserved his fame up-to-date. 

Simena (Kale): Receiving its beauty from its history, sea 

and sun, Simena is accessible from Ucagiz by sea. The 

submerged city under the fascinating blue Mediterrenean and 

the ancient remains at the opposite Island of Kekova Island is 

worth to see. There is castle on the mountanious part of it.

022 023 GUIDE

Kekova: It is between Kafl-Demre. It is an ancient 

submerged city 500 m far from the Üça¤›z Village in 

Mediterranean. 

Patara: It is on Kalkan-Fethiye road, nearly 10 km 

before Kalkan and is located at the south. The colorful 

ceramics in the center of the city reveal that the history of 

the city reaches back to 5 BC. Besides its being the 

birthplace of St. Nicholas, it was one of the most important 

seaports during the times of Alexander the Great. The 

governor Modestus constructed three gated city walls, one 

of which leads to Patara, in 110 AD. One of the most 

important remnants is the theater currently buried under 

the crystal clear sandy beaches of Patara. 

Xanthos: Founded on the Xanthos river basin, Xanthos 

is the biggest and the most ancient city of Lycia. Having 

being remained independent till the invasions of the 

Persians in 4292 BC, Xanthos tried hard to defend against 

the invasions; however, upon realizing the remote victory 

the people of Xanthos first murdered their women then 

commited suicide as a whole. The city was founded around 

center of Lycia and outside it were the remnants of Roman 

city center. Roman theater and the findings at the west side 

of the theater still attract the visitors. Harpy memorial on 

the rocks is one of the most important traces. Only the 

duplication of the work of art, the original of which is on 

exhibit in British Museum in England, can be seen in the 

region. Ancient Xanthos city can be seen in Kalkan. 

Kafl (Antiphellos): One of the Lycian towns, Kafl took its 

name from the Greek word "Phellos" meaning stony place. 

With its well preserved rock tombs and theater, Kafl is a 

wonderful town on the Mediterranean coast. 

Apollon Temple: Together with Athens temple, it had 

remained in the borders of Byzantium borders. It is in the 

order of Korinth and has a peripteros style plan. It is left 

from the Rome Age aged in 150 A.D. Between the years of 

1983-1990, one side has been restorated and was set on to 

foot. It was located in Side. 

Aspendos: This is situated on the hill of an acropolis at a 

height of 40 metres, right by the side of the river 

Eurymedon-Köprüçay near the settlement of Serik, east of 

Antalya. The name of the city in the Luwian/Etruscan 

GUIDE 

022 023 

language was “Asiawanda” meaning “Country of Horses”. 

Named Ahhiyawa or “Asitawada in the Hittite inscriptions, 

the history of the city regarded as being within the 

boundaries of the area; it began as an Acropolis city during 

about 3000 B.C. The most important work of art surviving 

from the ancient city of Aspendos is the theatre with a 

capacity of 12,000, which is understood to have been built 

by Zenon the Architect as a result of a competition during 

the Roman era in the 2nd century B.C. The Aspendos 

Theatre has today been accepted as the best preserved 

antique theatre with the best acoustics in the world. The 

Aspendos theatre preserved its true theatrical character 

during the Byzantine epoch, never having been turned into 

an arena where bloodshed games were exhibited. The 

theatre, which served as an outdoor church during the late 

Byzantine epoch, was used as a caravanserai in the wake of 

capture of the area by the Turks in the 12th century and 

thus survived till present times. The Antalya Music and 

Film Festival gala is performed here every year.

024 025 BASIN MANAGEMENT 


Rivers have great importance for civilizations as being source of water, carrying mineral and organic 

matter, serving food as fish and crops, domestic and industrial water, transportation, hydroelectric power 

and as a place of recreation. 

Important Rivers 

Continent Longest River Length 

Africa Nile River 4,157 miles (6,690 km) long 

Antarctica none n/a 

Asia Yangtze River 3,434 miles (5,530 km) long 

Australia Murray-Darling River 2,310 miles (3,720 km) long 

Europe Volga River 2,290 miles (3,700 km) long 

North America Mississippi-Missouri River 2,540 miles (4,090 km) + 2,340 miles (3,770 km) long 

South America Amazon River 3,915 miles (6,300 km) long

BASIN MANAGEMENT 

"Importance of Rivers to Civilizations" 

River water is diverted for agricultural irrigation, 

industry, hygiene, and related uses. Where possible, 

diverted water may be returned to the river clean and near 

the point of diversion; specifically, some municipal water 

supplies treat their sewage and return fairly clean water to 

the river. Most rivers are not so lucky: either the water 

comes back contaminated with pollutants, or not at all. 

Because flow is not constant, many rivers produce 

floods and droughts. Flood control projects including 

dams attempt to reduce variation in flow. For that reason, 

dams are important storage structures that assure for safe 

water supply of different needs of humanity. 

Carrying mineral and organic matter 

Most rivers carry dissolved minerals and organic 

compounds. Even a slow river can carry small grains of 

clay. As the strength of flow increases, sand, gravel, and 

even boulders can be dislodged and moved downstream. 

Centuries of erosion can leave dramatic results, including 

deep canyons and waterfalls. 

Minerals drop out of the river when the flow slows. 

Alluvial deposits can form deltas where the river flows 

into a lake or ocean. Farms and cities have been 

developed on large deltas. New Orleans sits on the delta 

formed where the Mississippi River flows into the Gulf of 

Mexico. Other heavily-populated deltas include those of 

the Nile in Egypt and the Mekong in Vietnam. 

Food 

Some communities depend on the fish that live in or 

travel along rivers. Today’s human beings need water for 

024 025 

production of food and yield increasing. Water is one of 

the essential elements to provide food and avoid from 

hunger in the world. 

Transportation 

Navigable waters carry much of the world's heavy trade 

by ship and barge. The Yangtze, Mississippi, Volga, St. 

Lawrence, Hudson, Delaware, Rhine, and Thames Rivers 

are among the most heavily-trafficked, connecting major 

ports. Rivers can also be barriers to land transportation. 

They can be crossed by ferries, bridges, and tunnels. 

Because of the difficulty of crossing rivers, they have 

sometimes become territorial boundaries. 

Hydroelectric Power 

A dam can raise the level of a river to provide pressure 

for electrical generation. Hydropower is cheap and clean 

natural resources. Potential energy of stored water or 

kinetic energy of running water can be easily converted 

into hydroelectric energy by means of hydropower plants. 

Recreation 

In addition to fishing, swimming and boating are 

popular activities along rivers. 

Aesthetics 

Some rivers are known for their beauty. Niagara Falls 

on the Niagara River (part of the Saint Lawrence system) 

is a popular backdrop for vacations and honeymoons. 

Düden and Kurflunlu waterfalls of Antalya are also well 

known places with natural beauties in Turkey.


BASIN PLANNING STUDIES 

The efforts to develop water resources and serve them 

peoples’ order started thousand years ago and are still 

going on in a parallel line with technological 

developments. 

Before Basin Planning Concept fully crystalized, 

generally single aimed projects (only for irrigation or for 

domestic water) were being developed from the closest 

water resources to meet individual needs. However, it is 

obverved that it was difficult to meet new demands. So a 

general plan that will meet all needs in the basin was 

necessitated. As a result, “Basin Water Resources 

Development Plans” including the prioritization of 

practices were prepared and applied. 

The first example of taking all resources of basin as a 

whole is the Tennesse Valley Authority (TVA) established 

in 1930s which aimed to develop 7 provinces of Tennesee 

River in USA. Engineer G. Pinchot, one of the advisors of 

President Roosevelt, initiated to the establishment of 

TVA with his saying of “a river is a whole from its source 

to the sea and can be used for all kind of needs”. In the 

context of taking all resources of basin as a whole, the 

studies such as production of Hydropower, flood control 

structures, rehabilitating the 1050 km part of Tennessee 

River till Missippi River for transportation were made. 

Being the most obvious examples, India and Pakistan 

in Asia and Egypt in Africa, Turkey in Eastern Europe, 

some countries started to develop their water resources to 

meet their needs of food and energy. 

Similar projects are in the works for the Yangtze River 

in China. Currently the Central Yangtze and its lakes are

subject to threats and problems including the loss of 

wetland; flood disasters; upstream erosion leading to 

accelerate downstream silting; decision-making problems 

and institutional conflicts. 

For the people of eastern Africa, the river is life itself. It 

feeds their soil, growing crops and sustaining livestock. It 

fuels their economic development. No wonder that, any 

changes proposed along the river's 6700 km path, which 

touches the lives of 250 million people, can lead to 

conflicts and must be agreed upon by everyone involved. 

The decision system was discussed in October 1995 when 

senior officials from seven Nilotic countries--Egypt, 

Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zaire-met 

in Rome, under the auspices of the FAO. Egypt 

Government, USA Development Agency, FAO and 


026 027 

United Nations support these studies. 

Similarly, to ensure a sufficient supply of clean water 

for future generations, a comprehensive management 

plan is being developed in Danube River. This process 

involves experts from industry and agriculture, and 

representatives from environmental and consumer 

organisations as well as the local and national authorities. 

As known, Danube River flows through – or forms a part 

of the borders of- ten countries. The Danube floods 

occurred on April 15th 2006, caused many damages in 

Romania. According to the statistics kept since 1840, flow 

rates of the River Danube has reached 15,900 cubic 

meters per second while its normal flow for April is 

around 7,900 cubic metres per second. For that reason, it 

requires close cooperation among the countries.


RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT IN TURKEY 

Preliminary studies so as to determine the potential of 

land and water resources of Turkiye began in 1930s with 

limited technique and economic facilities on some river 

basins. However, the scientific studies of collection, 

assessment and publishing of the data related to potential 

of surface water, groundwater, land resources, 

meteorological data of precipitation, temperature, and 

other related issues on the river basin started in the mid 

1950s and has continued until today. 

Until 1980, the basic goals in planning of water 

resources were to develop water resources in such a way 

that the damages caused by water should be prevented 

and water demands in sectoral basis should be met. The 

keynotes contemplated to reach the goals of water 

development projects were to survey the potential of the 

water resources and to determine the benefits expected 

from the projects. These approaches mainly focused on 

structural solutions. 

After the 1980s, the environmental issues became more 

important. Rapid urbanization and industrialization 

resulted in deterioration of water quality in some regions 

and the rapid reduction of the economically and technically 

usable fresh water resources. Taking into account of the 

needs, efforts were exerted by limited facilities to reduce the 

pollution along the river basins in which water resources 

usage increased and some environmental factors arising 

from domestic and industrial pollutants, agricultural 

pollutants, sediment transportation, erosion, unsuitable 

land use, soil problems occurred. 

Within this context, General Directorate of State 

Hydraulic Works (DSI) working in water sector was 

empowered with great duties and responsibilities in 

Turkey. DSI’s main role is to develop fresh water 

resources, which are renewable sources, by realizing and 

managing projects for the purpose of irrigation, 

hydroelectric power generation, domestic and industrial

water supplies for large cities; creation of recreation areas 

and prevention the damage caused by water. Since its 

establishment in 1954, DSI has determined mainly 

25 river basins in Turkey. For planning of the projects to 

be developed in each basin, a series of studies has been 

carried out by defining potential and needs. The first is 

“preliminary studies of basins”, the second “master 

plan”, and the third “planning studies”. Policies and 

programs to follow all over the country are determined 

pursuant to these plans. 

According to a report prepared by World Bank in 2006, 

it is noted that 6 river basins in Turkey have already faced 

with water scarcity and this number will increase up to 16 

by 2030. As a measure, we have to carry out long term 

river basin management models for the basins both being 

in water scarcity now and to be in water scarcity in future 

due to existing water use pattern. 

It is imperative that relations among the physical 

factors characterizing the basin (flow, quality, 

meteorological and hydrologic data, amount of water use 


028 029 

by sectors, land use, sediment, erosion, data collection, 

and operation) are to be meticulously defined. In 

culmination of these studies, the research so as to 

modernize the present system is continuing. 

All these studies have brought about new concepts and 

approaches in developing and managing water resources. 

In order to ensure continuity in socio-economic 

development, it is vital for Turkey to develop its 

economic surface and groundwater resources in a 

sustainable manner, that is, in the line with principles of 

continual and balanced development considering 

environmental impacts. 

Environmental impacts are considered in all water 

resources projects developed by DSI and necessary 

alternatives, changes or modifications on the projects are 

implemented when it is required. Regardless whether 

they are subject to EIA (Environmental Impact 

Assesment) Regulation or not, all projects are examined 

at the planning stage regarding their environmental 

impacts. Planning reports have the EIA section.


LAND AND WATER 

RESOURCES IN TURKEY 

TÜRK‹YE 

Land Resources: Turkey’s total land area is 78 Mha 

and one third of this area 28 Mha can be classified as 

cultivable land. 

Water Resources: Annual mean precipitation in 

Turkey is 643 mm, which corresponds to 501 Bm 3 

(billion m 3) of annual water volume in the country. 

A volume of 274 Bm 3 water evaporates from water 

bodies and soils to atmosphere. 69 Bm 3 of volume of 

water leaks into groundwater, whereas 28 Bm 3 is 

retrieved by springs from groundwater contributing to 

surface water. Surface run-off is about 158 Bm 3 

emptying into the seas and lakes in the closed basin. In 

addition, there are 7 Bm 3 volume of water coming from 

neighboring countries. 

Thus, total annual surface runoff amounts to a 

volume of (158+28+7) =193 Bm 3 of water. Including 

41 (69-28) Bm 3 net discharging into groundwater, the 

gross (surface and groundwater) renewable water 

potential of Turkey is estimated as 234 (193+41) Bm 3. 

However, under current technical and economic 

constraints, annual exploitable potential has been 

calculated as 112 Bm 3 of net water volume. 

Turkey is not a water rich country. According to 

annual water availability per capita, Turkey is a country 

in which water scarcity prevails. The annual exploitable 

amount of water has been 1600 m 3 per capita as of 2005. 

Table 2.1 shows the average of some other countries.

Table: 2.1. Water availability per capita of Some Countries 

Turkish Statistical Institude (TU‹K) has estimated 

Turkey’s population as 100 million by 2030. So, the 

annual available amount of water per capita will be about 

1,000 m 3 by 2030. 

Development of Water Resources in Turkey: 

Together with the projects developed by responsible 

state agencies, the amount of water consumption became 

40.1 Bm 3 as of 2004. Sectoral water consumptions are as 

following. 29,6 Bm 3 is used in irrigation, 6,2 Bm 3 in 

domestic water and 4,3 Bm 3 in industrial sectors. 

Agricultural Sector takes the biggest share (74 %) in total 

water consumption. 

Water consumption of our country is given in 

Table 2.2. 


TURKEY IS NOT WATER RICH COUNTRY 

Annual exploitable amount of water per capital (m 3) 

Countries 2005 2020 

Water Rich Countries 

(Canada, USA, North and West European Countries) 

10.000+ 8.000+ 

Iraq 2.110 950 

Turkey 1.600 950 

Syria 1.420 780 

Israel 300 150 

Jordan 250 90 

Palestine 100 40 

030 031


Domestic 

Water 

SECTORAL WATER CONSUMPTIONS IN TURKEY 

2004 

Industry 

% 15 

% 11 

% 74 

Irrigation 

% 15 

% 20 

Irrigation 29.6 billion m Irrigation 

Domestic Water Domestic Water 

Industry Industry 

TOTAL TOTAL 

3 

6.2 billion m 3 



Table: 2.2. Distribution of Water Consumption 

Domestic 

Water 

Industry 

2023 

% 65 

Irrigation 

72 billion m 3 




In order to use all of 112 Bm 3 water, it is necessary to build 730 dams (with total volume of 247 Bm 3) and more than 

2000 ponds (with total volume of 1 Bm 3). 

The situation of our Hydraulic Structures is given in Table 2.3.

(as of the beginning 

of 2006) 

Table: 2.3 situation of our Hydraulic Structures 

In Turkey approximately one third of our water 

resources have been developed. According to 8th Five 

Year Development Plans and source potential, the 

development of 100 % of water resources will be realized 

by 2030. However, DSI plans to take this target 7 years 

before and realize this in the 100th anniversary (2023) of 

our Republic. 

Management of Water Resources in Turkey: The 

General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works manages 

water resources in the framework its legal responsibilities 

and according to five-year development plans, 

government policies and annual investment programs. 

Turkey is divided into 25 hydrological basins. The 

organizational structure of DSI comparatively fits the 

basin boundaries. Annual average flows of these basins 

amount to about 186 Bm 3. While basin yields vary from 

each other, the Euphrates-Tigris basin accounts for 

28.5% of total potential of the country. 


In Operation In Construction 

or in Program 

DAM 591* 188 

HEPP 138 38 

POND 47. 44 

IRRIGATION 2.85 million ha 0.65 million ha 

DOMESTIC WATER 2.58 million m 3 2,8 million m 3 

According to ICOLD Standards providing a dam’s height from foundation is more 

than 15 m or its reservoir volume is equal to 3 hm3 , is classified as a large dam. 

032 033


DSI-WWC COLLABORATION 

World Water Council (WWC) is an international 

organization, having about 300 members from different 

countries all around the world, the headquarter of 

which is located in Marseille. WWC performs its major 

activities in water issues through Board of Governors 

with 36 members. 

Dr. Mahmud Abu- Zeid, Minister of Water 

Resources and Irrigation of Egypt between 1996 and 

2003, and Mr William Cosgrove between 2002 and 

2004 honored the presidency of the WWC established 

in 1996. The present chairman of WWC is Mr. Loic 

Fauchon. 

WWC carries out various activities, so that water 

resources will be managed effectively and used in order 

to contribute into international peace, security and 

cooperation based on the principles of justice and equal 

rights. One of the major activities of WWC is the World 

Water Forum, which is organized once every three year, 

together with Ministerial Conference and Expo. Forum, 

which serves to share the knowledge and experience of 

countries, is held in a different country each term. 

During the Forum, academicians, scientists, experts, 

representatives of international organizations, 

countries and NGO’s present their researches and 

papers; debates are made and finally key outcomes are 

obtained for the solution of water related problems. In 

addition to this, Ministerial Conference and 

declaration, which emphasizes water issues, appeals to 

the media. During the forum, private sector companies 

introduce scientific and technical innovations related to 

water in the Expo. 

First World Water Forum was held in 1997 in

Morocco with 500 participants, Second Forum was in 

Holland in 2000 with 5700 participants, the third one 

was in Japan in 2003 with 24 000 participants and the 

fourth one was in Mexico with 12 000 participants. 

Fifth World Water Forum will be organized in Istanbul 

in 2009. 

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality as well as 

NGOS’s like TURSAB, ITO, ISO, supports Fifth World 

Water Forum. The forum will be performed in the 

leadership of DSI in collaboration with WWC. 

Recep Tayyip ERDO⁄AN, the Prime Minister, 

Dr. M. Hilmi GÜLER, Minister of Energy and Natural 

Resources, declared their support for the Forum. 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in charge of arranging the 

Ministerial Conference. 

Turkey follows WWC activities closely. WWC has 


034 035 

40 Turkish members from public and private sectors, 

4 of which take part in Board of Governors. In this 

context, DSI highly appreciates the efforts of Turkish 

Contractors Union and INTES. 

As a part of preparatory work for the Forum, an 

international congress on River Basin Management will 

be held in Antalya in 2007, and another international 

congress will be carried out in Istanbul in 2008. DSI is 

aware of the importance water and issues related to 

water and will do its best to spread this awareness all 

over the world. 

DSI has the honor to invite everybody to this unique 

activity for obtaining valuable contributions of the 

participants. 

DSI takes this opportunity to thank all interested 

people involved in these activities.

INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT

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