Water theft from Urmia Lake's share

Theft of water from Lake Urmia’s share Lake Urmia is experiencing its best water conditions in the past six years this year, but unauthorized withdrawals from water released from dams are threatening the lake’s restoration process. Although no allocation has been issued for the agricultural sector from the Kanisib dam system and the Zarrineh River tunnel, some farmers are illegally drawing from this water. Releasing water from dams is one of the most important tools for restoring Lake Urmia. This water must pass unhindered and without additional withdrawals through river channels and reach the lake bed. Water resources experts warn that the total volume of unauthorized withdrawals, despite the limited share of each user, can significantly reduce the inflow right to Lake Urmia, especially under drought conditions and climate change. Photo: Hamed Haghdoost