143
There is a hydrodynamical connection between groundwater and fi ltration fl uxes
from the irrigation canals and drains. The groundwater mainly recharges from the
surface water. Hence, shallow groundwater levels, especially in the lower and central parts of the valley, are a major problem. Recent increases in areas under rice in
Burgandin Massif in Kadamzhai district of Batken province have been causing
waterlogging in most areas in Bagdad, Altyarik and Rishtan districts of the Fergana
province (MAWR RUz 2009 ). Further development of lands in the highlands in
Kyrgyzstan (IMF 2012 ) has aggravated the situation.
Although FV is a relatively water-rich region compared to the lower course
regions along the Syrdarya River, water shortage is common in some areas because
of mismanagement of water resources, e.g. excessive water use for irrigation and
leaching, and water allocation within the systems. As irrigation in an arid climate is
needed to create optimal soil moisture for plant growth, it signifi cantly alters natural
hydrogeological soil and other land reclamation conditions, causing the salinisation
and waterlogging of soils (Dukhovny et al. 1979 ). The groundwater level rises
because of the high water seepage from the canals (about 52 % of main canals and
82 % of fi eld canals are earthen (Table 10.2 )); available artifi cial CDN has deteriorated, while natural drainage is insuffi cient.
Although shallow GWL enables the reduction of irrigation norms due to the
contribution of capillary rise, at the same time, it brings up the existing salts, if they
exist, into the adjacent soil layers. To cope with the situation, Dukhovny et al.
( 1979 ) proposed to increase the canal system’s effi ciency and stop water fl ow in
canals during October–March. However, high capital investment and regular maintenance work are required to increase the system’s effi ciency. Stopping the water
fl ow in canals during October–March is impossible under the current situation due
to the following:
Cultivation of cereals, particularly winter wheat (at the expense of the reducing
cotton area), has increased since the 1990s (see Fig. 10.2 ).
Release of winter water from the Toktogul reservoir and the pressure on the
Syrdarya River (Abbink et al. 2005 ). Distribution of excessive winter fl ows through
canals to the fallow lands and temporary storage of water (groundwater banking) in
the aquifers of the FV could become a solution until reliable water-energy consensus is found between upstream and downstream countries (Karimov et al. 2010 ).
The leaching of salt-affected lands, particularly in Central Fergana, is recommended in the winter periods (World Bank et al. 2013 ).
Improper management of irrigation and drainage systems and altering the hydrological regime of the Syrdarya River have led to the deterioration of water quality
from upstream to downstream (SIC ICWC et al. 2011 ). The water salinity observed
in the Syrdarya River has increased in the last 40 years from 300 to 600 mg/l in the
upper reaches to 3000 mg/l in the lower reaches within the valley, with a prevailing
salt composition of MgSO 4 , Ca(HCO 3 )
2
, NaCl and CaSO 4 . Moreover, concentrations
of some metals including sulphates and chlorides have increased overall. This has
impaired the water resources for drinking purposes in the middle course and sometimes serves as a source of diseases, such as hepatitis, typhoid and gastrointestinal
disorders causing morbidity in the local people (SIC ICWC et al. 2011 ).
10 Irrigation Infrastructure in Fergana Today: Ecological Implications – Economic…
There is a hydrodynamical connection between groundwater and fi ltration fl uxes
from the irrigation canals and drains. The groundwater mainly recharges from the
surface water. Hence, shallow groundwater levels, especially in the lower and central parts of the valley, are a major problem. Recent increases in areas under rice in
Burgandin Massif in Kadamzhai district of Batken province have been causing
waterlogging in most areas in Bagdad, Altyarik and Rishtan districts of the Fergana
province (MAWR RUz 2009 ). Further development of lands in the highlands in
Kyrgyzstan (IMF 2012 ) has aggravated the situation.
Although FV is a relatively water-rich region compared to the lower course
regions along the Syrdarya River, water shortage is common in some areas because
of mismanagement of water resources, e.g. excessive water use for irrigation and
leaching, and water allocation within the systems. As irrigation in an arid climate is
needed to create optimal soil moisture for plant growth, it signifi cantly alters natural
hydrogeological soil and other land reclamation conditions, causing the salinisation
and waterlogging of soils (Dukhovny et al. 1979 ). The groundwater level rises
because of the high water seepage from the canals (about 52 % of main canals and
82 % of fi eld canals are earthen (Table 10.2 )); available artifi cial CDN has deteriorated, while natural drainage is insuffi cient.
Although shallow GWL enables the reduction of irrigation norms due to the
contribution of capillary rise, at the same time, it brings up the existing salts, if they
exist, into the adjacent soil layers. To cope with the situation, Dukhovny et al.
( 1979 ) proposed to increase the canal system’s effi ciency and stop water fl ow in
canals during October–March. However, high capital investment and regular maintenance work are required to increase the system’s effi ciency. Stopping the water
fl ow in canals during October–March is impossible under the current situation due
to the following:
Cultivation of cereals, particularly winter wheat (at the expense of the reducing
cotton area), has increased since the 1990s (see Fig. 10.2 ).
Release of winter water from the Toktogul reservoir and the pressure on the
Syrdarya River (Abbink et al. 2005 ). Distribution of excessive winter fl ows through
canals to the fallow lands and temporary storage of water (groundwater banking) in
the aquifers of the FV could become a solution until reliable water-energy consensus is found between upstream and downstream countries (Karimov et al. 2010 ).
The leaching of salt-affected lands, particularly in Central Fergana, is recommended in the winter periods (World Bank et al. 2013 ).
Improper management of irrigation and drainage systems and altering the hydrological regime of the Syrdarya River have led to the deterioration of water quality
from upstream to downstream (SIC ICWC et al. 2011 ). The water salinity observed
in the Syrdarya River has increased in the last 40 years from 300 to 600 mg/l in the
upper reaches to 3000 mg/l in the lower reaches within the valley, with a prevailing
salt composition of MgSO 4 , Ca(HCO 3 )
2
, NaCl and CaSO 4 . Moreover, concentrations
of some metals including sulphates and chlorides have increased overall. This has
impaired the water resources for drinking purposes in the middle course and sometimes serves as a source of diseases, such as hepatitis, typhoid and gastrointestinal
disorders causing morbidity in the local people (SIC ICWC et al. 2011 ).
10 Irrigation Infrastructure in Fergana Today: Ecological Implications – Economic…