Water management Nikša Orlić, CEO & co-founder, Geolux Geolux explains why a new advanced water monitoring network in the Fergana Valley in Central Asia represents a leap forward in sustainable water management and disaster risk reduction for the region T ADDRESSING water resource challenges 54 • www.meteorologicaltechnologyinternational.com • April 2024 he Fergana Valley, which spans Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, is Central Asia’s most densely populated region, home to 13 million people. It is a region of critical importance for agriculture, ecological balance and the livelihoods of its inhabitants. The valley is a major producer of cotton, wheat, fruits and a variety of crops, relying heavily on a network of irrigation canals, rivers and reservoirs. Among these, the Great Fergana Canal stands out as a remarkable feat of engineering. Spanning 270km, it was constructed in 1939 by a workforce of 160,000 people in just 45 days. Disputes over water resources have historically marred relations between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, stemming from their mutual reliance on trans-boundary rivers that originate in the Kyrgyz mountains before flowing into Uzbekistan. Kyrgyzstan, positioned upstream, holds sway over the rivers’ headwaters and has pursued hydroelectric projects to enhance its energy independence, entailing dam constructions and river flow regulations. Downstream, Uzbekistan relies on these water flows The Geolux for its expansive HydroStation, agricultural sector, easily installed on especially for a bridge, provides irrigating cotton water level and fields, so its discharge neighbor’s plans measurements have been met with apprehension. Changes in water flow patterns risk causing shortages, jeopardizing crop production and escalating tensions between the two nations. Both nations face the challenge of balancing Kyrgyzstan’s need for energy security with Uzbekistan’s agricultural demands. The valley’s geography also makes it prone to natural disasters such as floods and landslides. Notably, in 1998 the enclave of Shahimardan, which is situated within the valley and is part of Uzbekistan’s territory, was struck by a catastrophic flood, resulting in the tragic loss of more than 100 lives. This disaster was precipitated by the abrupt discharge of water from a glacial lake. Monitoring water levels In response to the pressing need for improved water management and disaster risk reduction in the Fergana Valley, in 2023 the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched a project to establish an advanced network for monitoring water levels and river discharge. To achieve accurate monitoring of river discharge, the project is using the innovative principle of surface-velocity radar for river discharge measurement, representing a cutting-edge approach to environmental monitoring. Through this project, UNDP hopes to enhance the region’s capacity to mitigate the impacts of water-related disasters and support sustainable agricultural practices, ultimately contributing to the resilience and well-being of the valley’s communities. In the first phase of the project, UNDP has strategically chosen 11 locations throughout the Fergana Valley to set up monitoring stations. At each site it plans to install water level radar sensors and surface-velocity radars. The surface-velocity radars are designed to measure the speed of water flow at the surface. Then, the calculation of river discharge is undertaken by combining surface-velocity measurement with A rotating cantilever allows the installation of radar sensors above the river if no bridge is present