Euphrates Dam Increases Water Release Due to Higher Inflows
The administration of the Euphrates Dam has initiated a controlled, partial opening of spillway gate number three to accommodate a significant rise in water inflows from the Turkish border. The operation, overseen by specialized technical teams, is designed to release an additional 100 cubic meters of water per second as the facility manages the sustained increase in volume entering Syrian territory.
According to the Ministry of Energy, the measure is part of a broader, phased operational plan intended to gradually increase the discharge rate from the current 600 cubic meters per second to 800 cubic meters per second. The ministry confirmed that authorities are maintaining constant surveillance of water levels and flow rates across the river’s course to ensure the structural integrity of the dam and its associated facilities.
The decision follows a period of heightened inflow that has persisted for approximately ten days, with recorded volumes consistently exceeding 1,200 cubic meters per second. Projections suggest that these elevated water levels will continue through the end of the current month. The operational adjustments are being implemented based on real-time data and hydraulic analysis to maintain the optimal balance between inflow and controlled outflow.
In response to the increased discharge, the Ministry of Energy has issued a formal advisory to residents in the provinces of Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor, particularly those living in communities situated along the banks of the Euphrates River. Authorities have urged citizens to exercise extreme caution and maintain a safe distance from the riverbed and its immediate floodplains. The public has been explicitly warned against swimming in the river or approaching the water’s edge, as the increased outflow will result in higher water levels and faster current speeds, which pose significant safety risks to those in the vicinity.
Technical staff remain on-site to monitor the situation continuously, ensuring that all regulatory and safety protocols are followed as the increased volume of water moves through the river system. The Ministry of Energy continues to assess the hydraulic conditions daily to determine if further adjustments to the spillway operations will be necessary in the coming days. The maintenance of secure water levels is a priority for the ministry to protect downstream infrastructure and local agriculture, which rely on the stability of the Euphrates river flow throughout the region.
