Sardoba Reservoir
Sirdaryo
The Sardoba Reservoir, located in the Sirdaryo region of Uzbekistan, is a significant water storage facility constructed between 2010 and 2017. Designed to improve irrigation and agricultural productivity in the fertile lands of Sirdaryo and Jizzakh regions, it was built along the central canal of the Southern Mirzachul aqueduct. The reservoir was managed by the Directorate under Uzbekistan Railways and involved multiple subcontractors in its construction. In May 2020, the dam catastrophically failed, causing extensive flooding across several districts in Uzbekistan and parts of Kazakhstan. This disaster led to the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents, destruction of thousands of homes, and several fatalities. Despite the tragedy, plans for a hydroelectric power station at the reservoir began in April 2020, aiming to add renewable energy capacity, with completion expected in 2023. The Sardoba Reservoir remains a critical infrastructure project with both significant agricultural importance and a sobering reminder of engineering risks.
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Tip: Visitors to the Sardoba Reservoir region should be aware of its history and ongoing reconstruction efforts. The best time to visit the area is outside of the flood season, and it is advisable to check local conditions and access permissions. Since the reservoir is primarily an infrastructural and natural site, guided tours may be limited. Visitors interested in the hydroelectric project or local agriculture should seek information from local authorities or official sources. Advance planning is recommended due to ongoing recovery and development activities in the area.
Interesting facts
- •The Sardoba Reservoir's dam breach in May 2020 caused flooding in both Uzbekistan and neighboring Kazakhstan.
- •Over 60,000 people were evacuated due to the flooding caused by the reservoir failure.
- •The reservoir's construction involved more than 10 subcontracting companies and cost approximately 404 million US dollars.
- •A hydroelectric power station with a planned capacity of 10.7 MW is under construction at the reservoir, expected to be completed in 2023.
History
Construction of the Sardoba Reservoir began in 2010 and was completed in 2017 to enhance irrigation and agricultural productivity in Uzbekistan's Sirdaryo and Jizzakh regions.
The reservoir was built along the central canal of the Southern Mirzachul aqueduct and managed by a governmental directorate under Uzbekistan Railways.
In May 2020, the dam suffered a catastrophic failure, leading to severe flooding that displaced over 60,000 people and caused significant damage to homes and farmland.
Following the disaster, criminal investigations were launched regarding construction negligence.
Concurrently, plans for a hydroelectric power station at the reservoir were initiated in 2020, with construction expected to finish by 2023.