Doosti Dam on shared river of
Harirood:
A Friendship Bridge Between
Iran and Turkmenistan
Saeed Nairizi
Head of the Board & Managing Director ,
Toossab consulting Engineers Co.
Shared river : Iran- TurkmenistanAfghanistan
Total length : 900 km
Catchments Area : 54000 km2
River Flow Regime : Seasonal
Mean Annual Runoff : 1 km3
Historical Background








The first agreement on Harirood River
development ,Iran and Soviet Union– 1921
S.U. proposal to build dam – 1926
Agreement to embark on feasibility study – 1958
Conducting the F.S. (1974 to1979) and submission
to Khorasan Water Authority (KWA)
Approval by Iranian government – 1983
A new protocol between Iran and Turkmenistan
1991
Awarding a contract to a Turkmen Consultant to
execute F.S -1991
protocol to construct the diversion system – 1996
Historical Background








Start of Doosti dam diversion system – 1996
protocol for construction of main dam 1997
Approval of F. S. by both governments – 1999
Comprehensive agreement signed by two
Presidents and parliaments – 2000
Joint Management Committee – 2000
Selection of contractors upon the detail design
executed by Toossab ,Iranian consultant and
construction of the work – 2001
Impounding Reservoir – 2004
Project inauguration - 2005
Doosti dam specification










Purpose: Irrigation & urban water supply
Dam type: earth fill dam with silty – clay core
Height: 78m
Crest length: 655m
Dam body volume: 5.8 MCM
Reservoir volume: 1250 MCM
Annual water regulation: 730 MCM
Spillway type: gated (8x15m)
Spillway design discharge: 3920 m3/Sec
Bottom outlet discharge: 105 m3/ Sec
Joint Management Committee (JMC)


Responsibility :
Managing all activities at project level (bidding,
work assignment, supervision, conflict
settlement,…)
Members:
Three members from each country
The Ministry of
Energy of I.R.Iran
ministry of Water of
Turkmenistan
Doosti dam JMC
Consultants
Contractors
Cooperation Status




High government officials
1 comprehensive agreement ,
4 memorandums and 12 protocols
JMC
more than 60 protocols and several
meetings
Consultants
Numerous meetings to solve the
technological differences and
changing the project specifications
Contractors
Coordinating the activities and
sharing their capacities on day by
day bases
Main problems at the
execution level

Language barrier

Differences in project execution systems

Differences in technological status

Collaboration of two contractors

Common border problems

Change in project specification

Lack of proper supervision

Project time schedule
Overcoming the problems
confronted at the execution

Designation of common border zone

Setting up JMC

USD as the base currency but minimizing money
exchange by work balance

Using Standard and technical regulations of both parties

Dividing civil works to contractors according to their
technical & equipment capabilities


Changes in project specification by consensus
Detail design, site supervision and OM guidelines were
provided by Iranian consultant upon Turkmen approval
Capacities to be strengthen

The dam operation and sharing
water resources procedures
particularly during the extreme
climate should be defined and
exercised.

The planning and budget for
Operation and Maintenance of
the facilities should be more
defined and practiced .
Successful approach for other basins

Transparency in basin development plans,
objectives and dialogues among the stakeholders.

Firm commitments and political will at very top
officials is the key factor.

A competent JMC is a foundation for success.

Any negotiation must be upon win- win outcomes
with a considerable flexibility among parties
involved.
THANK YOU
FOR
YOUR ATTENTION