In the first half of 2025, there was a significant rise in the level of Lake Balkhash, which increased by an average of 32 centimeters, reaching 341.87 meters according to the Baltic system. This positive trend is directly related to the increase in water releases from the Kapshagai reservoir, located in the Almaty region. Since the beginning of the year, 8.52 billion cubic meters of water have been sent to the lake, which exceeds the same period last year, which amounted to 8 billion cubic meters, reports the press service of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The fate of Balkhash largely depends on the flow of the transboundary Ili River, which is regulated by the Kapshagai Reservoir. This year, the total volume of planned releases into the lake is 12 billion cubic meters. Successful management of water resources made it possible not only to support Balkhash, but also to ensure the stability of the reservoir itself. In 2025, it reached 100% capacity for the second time in a row, which happened last year for the first time in a decade.
The complete filling of the Kapshagai reservoir made it possible to provide water to the Akdalinsky and Shengeldinsky irrigation areas of the Almaty region during the growing season without interruption, which is of key importance for the agriculture of the region.
The issue of preserving a unique reservoir is receiving increased attention at the state level. According to the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, a large-scale field expedition was recently organized to study the lake basin, carried out jointly with the French Scientific Consortium. This work is part of a broader initiative to develop a master plan for the conservation of Balkhash with a forecast until 2040. The project is being implemented within the framework of a tripartite agreement signed last year with the French Development Agency and the French Bureau of Geological and Mining Research. International cooperation is aimed at developing a long-term strategy that will ensure a sustainable future for the Balkhash ecosystem.
