THE ROLE OF GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF STATE HYDRAULIC WORKS (DSI)
IN DEVELOPMENT OF WATER RESOURCES OF TURKEY

The General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSİ), is a legal entity included in general budget, and is the primary executive state agency responsible for planning, management, development, and operation of the nation’s overall water resources. DSİ works under the aegis of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MENR), was established by Law No. 6200 on 18^th December 1953. As a public agency, it is responsible for four major tasks namely, irrigated agriculture enhancement, hydroelectric energy generation, water supply to large cities, and flood prevention measures. In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, DSİ primarily develops dam projects which are at the centre of the four objectives. Therefore, DSİ is mainly known as a public agency developing dam projects. It is also an authority responsible for allocation of the nation’s surface and groundwater for single and multiple purposes.

The DSİ General Directorate carries out its tasks pursuant to Laws No. 6200, 167, and 1053. These three laws empower DSİ to execute following activities:

Law No. 6200 enacted on 28^th.02.1954 on Establishment and Duties empowers DSİ to:

·         construct dams;

·         build flood control facilities;

·         equip land with irrigation facilities;

·         reclaim swamps;

·         generate hydroelectric power;

·         improve rivers for navigation;

·         carry out all kind of related surveys, project and construction; and

·         execute the duties of operation, maintenance, and repair of the facilities.

Law No. 167 enacted on 16^th.12.1960 on Groundwater empowers DSİ to:

·         conduct surveys concerning groundwater and drill deep wells or have them drilled;

·         transfer or lease deep wells;

·         protect and record groundwater; and

·         grant licenses for survey, use, rehabilitation and modification of deep wells.

Law No. 1053 enacted on 03^rd.07.1968 on Domestic and Industrial Water Supply to Ankara, İstanbul and Cities with Populations over 100,000 empowers DSİ to:

·         construct dams and transmission lines;

·         construct water treatment plants; and

·         build water storage facilities.

The ultimate objectives of DSİ are to enhance irrigated agriculture, to generate hydroelectric energy, to supply water to large cities for domestic and industrial use, and to take measures against floods. To achieve these objectives, DSİ develops technically, economically and environmentally sound projects (via either in-house staff or outsourcing) by the activities summarized below:

·         Basic investigations and surveys

-    gauging of stream-flow and groundwater level

-    soil analyses and classifications

-    agricultural economy analyses

-    geological, hydraulic, geotechnical, and geophysical surveys

-    water quality analyses

-    hydraulic structures modelling

-    physical and chemical analyses of construction materials

·         Survey and planning for river basin development

·         Master plan and feasibility studies

·         Design of hydraulic structures (dams, hydroelectric power plants, irrigation and drainage systems, water treatment plants, flood control structures, etc.)

·         Where necessary, execution of land expropriation as well as preparation of resettlement action plans for people affected by dam constructions

·         Preparation of environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports

·         Propose inclusion of projects in the investment program

·         Preparation of contract documents and implementation of bidding for the works to be contracted out to judicial persons

·         Supervision of constructions

·         Transfer of hydraulic structures to the agencies concerned (HEPPs to the electricity authority, water treatment plants to the municipalities, irrigation facilities to the irrigation organizations)

·         If not transferred, operation and management of the facilities

·         Necessary machinery and equipment in order to implement the above works

The DSİ General Directorate is a three-tiered organization. Its top management level is the General Directorate in Ankara. There are four Deputy Director Generals under the Director General. The Bureau Manager serves as Secretary to the Director General. The Board of Inspection executes and concludes any inquiry, inspection, and investigation. The Legal Advisory Office is responsible for giving advice on legal issues and proposing solutions to disputes and disagreements by following DSİ’s legal procedure.

The secondary management level comprises 13 departments. There are also other auxiliary units such as the Foreign Relations Office and the Civil Defence Office. The third management level comprises 25 Regional Directorates, which are dispersed throughout Turkey and which execute their work on behalf of the DSİ General Director according to annual and 5-year development plans as well as investment programs.

DSİ employs around 28, 000 personnel, 6% whom are administrative staff, 16% are technical staff, 77% are manual workers, and 1% are other personnel. DSİ performs a number of functions such as operation and maintenance services, small dam constructions, dam service road constructions, drilling and injection works, material and equipment transportation, transportation of staff, and flood control activities by means of its own machine park. In addition, as a state emergency force, DSİ’s machinery park is ready for flood and earthquake occurrences. As of 2005, the number of DSİ’s machines is 1,750 units, the estimated value of which is US$ 141,5 million

The main financial resources of DSİ come from the national budget. For a long time, DSİ’s investment budget had amounted to roughly 1/3 of the state investment budget. While the state investment budget was determined as 14,28 billion YTL in 2005, the DSİ investment budget was set at as 2.63 billion YTL (19 %). Examination of past investment figures of public institutions in Turkey, reveals that the share of DSİ has decreased from 33.3% to 19%. The DSİ budget adds up 3.79 billion YTL, together with current and transfer allocations.

Land and Water Resources

Turkey is located on the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and extends over Dardanelles and Bosphorus straits allowing a natural connection between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. The country has a total surface area of 779452 km², of which 765152 km² is land and the remaining 14300 km² is water surface. The total length of the coastline along the surrounding seas is 8300 km, whereas the length of political boundaries with eight neighboring countries is approximately 2900 km. 59 percent of the total population of Turkey, which is currently around 74 million, is presently dwelling in urban centers whereas the remaining 41 percent is living in rural areas.

The climate of Turkey is semi-arid with extremities in temperature. Climate and precipitation figures exhibit great variance throughout the country: in the higher interior Anatolian Plateau, winters are cold with late springs, while the surrounding coastal fringes enjoy the very mild-featured Mediterranean climate. Average annual precipitation is 643 mm, ranging from 250 mm in the southeastern part of the country, to over 2500 mm in the northeastern Black Sea coastal area. This average annual precipitation figure for Turkey corresponds to an average of 501 billion m³ of water per year and 274 billion m³ is assumed to evaporate from surface and transpire through plants. Water potential of Turkey is slightly augmented by inflow from adjacent countries, which contributes to the water potential of Turkey as much as 7 billion m³ a year. 69 billion m³ of precipitation directly recharges the aquifers, whereas 158 billion m³ forms the precipitation runoff. There is a continuous interaction between surface runoff and groundwater, but it is estimated that a net 28 billion m³ of groundwater feeds the rivers. With the surface runoff of 7 billion m³ coming from neighboring countries, total surface runoff within the country reaches 193 billion m³. However, not all of the renewable water resources can be utilized because of economic and technical reasons. Exploitable portions of surface runoff, inflow from bordering countries, and groundwater are 95, 3, and 14 billion m³, respectively. Thus, the total of exploitable water resources amounts to 112 billion m³. 11 billion m³ of groundwater and 64 billion m³ of surface runoff flow into neighboring countries. 8 billion m³ of surface water is drained in closed basins and evaporates from there. Infiltration to groundwater from closed basins is neglected. The rest of these resources, which amounts to 151 billion m³ – 121 billion m³ from surface water and 30 billion m³ from groundwater discharges to the various seas surrounding Turkey.

Gross water potential of Turkey totals 234 billion m³ (158+69+7). According to gross potential, water available per capita per year in Turkey as of 2007 is about 3 162 m³. Nevertheless, as a consequence of population increase, it is expected to be 2 750 m³/cap/a by the year 2010, whereas the figure on the basis of exploitable annual average would be around 1 300 m³/cap/a. Thus, it is anticipated that in certain regions of the country there will be major water deficit problems during drought years in the future.

Planning Studies in Turkey

Under the scope of DSİ’ planning studies, the most appropriate formulations of projects are prepared by using long-term data collections and investigations. Data collection activities in planning studies are implemented with the coordination of different engineering fields consisting of gauging, observation, survey, soil and drainage, agricultural economy, hydrology, environmental impact assessment, geology, mapping and material studies.

The Hydrometeorology network of DSİ comprises the following stations; 1,117 river flow measurement, 120 lake water level, 115 snow level gauge, 452 meteorological and 1,000 water quality measurement. From those stations, hydrological and meteorological variables such as river flows, groundwater and lake water levels, sediment loads, water quality, amount of precipitation, and evaporations are collected and monitored.

Turkey is divided into 25 surface hydrological basins. Annual average flows of these basins amount to about 186 km³. While basin yields vary, the Euphrates and Tigris basin account for 28.5% of total potential of the country. In 2003, 40.1 billion m³ volume of water was consumed in various sectors in Turkey; 29.6 billion m³ in the irrigation sector, 6.2 billion m³ in the water supply sector, 4.3 billion m³ in the industrial sector. This sum corresponds to development of only 36.5% of the available exploitable potential of 112 billion m³. With ongoing studies, it is aimed at using the maximum portion of available potential in the country.

Hydraulic Structures in Turkey

According to the standards of ICOLD (International Committee on Large Dams), providing a dam’s height from foundation is more than 15 m or its reservoir volume is equal or more than 3 hm³, this dam is classified as a “large dam”. According to this classification, the number of large dams constructed by DSİ is 579. If eleven large dams constructed by other institutions are added to this, the total number amounts to 591 dams. DSİ has built 222 large dams within the framework of large-scale water projects, while the remaining 369 dams are within the framework of the smaller-scale water projects. The total reservoir capacity of these 222 large dams is about 140 km³.

Since its establishment in 1954, DSİ has made investments of US$ 35,4 billion, and the total benefit from these projects realized by DSİ in the sectors of energy, agriculture, services, and the environment is estimated as US$ 97,7 billion. These projects have made a more than two fold contribution to the national economy when considering their investment costs.

With the budget allocation for 2006, DSİ needs 19 years to complete the projects in its investment program. For the full development of the water projects in Turkey, US$ 78 billion is needed for completion of the remaining projects. Considering development rates in the country, there is still much work to do in the water sector. By taking into account the investment budget of DSİ, it is estimated that the completion of the works to be realized by DSİ could only be possible in the next 44 years.

Agriculture in Turkey heavily depends on climatic conditions, the adverse effects of which can only be minimized by developing hydraulic structures. DSİ contributes to the development of agriculture in which 35% of Turkey’s population is employed by investing mostly in development of irrigation sector. There are further inputs to agro-industries as the production and consequently the income of our farmers increases as a result of irrigation development. Because of this, water resources development has a crucial role to play in the socioeconomic development of Turkey. Thus, DSİ’s investments in hydropower, which is a national source of the electricity needed by industry are important in that they are able to lessen the rate of migration to the cities and to decrease the unemployment in the country.

Hydroelectric Energy Projects

The gross theoretical viable hydroelectric potential in Turkey is 433 billion kWh and the technically viable potential is 216 billion kWh. The economically viable potential, however, is 130 billion kWh. At present Turkey has 138 hydroelectric power plants in operation with total installed capacity of 12,878 MW generating an average of 46,277 GWh/year, which is 36% of the economically viable hydroelectric potential. Forty-one hydroelectric power plants are currently under construction with 3,962 MW of installed capacity to generate an average annual 9,779 GWh representing 8% of the economically viable potential. In the future, 540 more hydroelectric power plants will be constructed to be able to make maximum use of the remaining 73,877 GWh/year of economically viable potential. As a result of these works, a total of 716 hydroelectric power plants with 36,697 MW will tame rivers to harness the economically viable hydropower of Turkey.

The annual increase in energy consumption is 6-8% in Turkey, except for recession years. In order to meet this growing demand, Turkey has to invest US$ 2-3 billion in new energy projects each year. As can be seen all over the world, power generation is a vital issue, therefore it is important for every country that energy be produced in self-sufficient, reliable, constant, and economical ways. For that matter, all energy alternatives should be thoroughly evaluated, starting from hydroelectric power potentials running with local energy sources, which are not dependent on other countries.

As a primary executive public agency in hydroelectric power development, State Hydraulic Works has developed 10,380 MW (81%) of the total of 12,878 MW realized installed capacity in Turkey. 20 of the 25 largest realized hydroelectric power plants in Turkey have been developed by State Hydraulic Works.

Irrigation Projects

Almost one third of Turkey’s total area (78 Mha) is arable land (28 Mha). Comprehensive studies pointed indicate that 8.5 million ha of the arable land is economically irrigable in Turkey. As of 2006, 4.97 million ha of 8.5 million ha area have been equipped with irrigation facilities, of which 2.85 million ha developed by DSİ, 1.1 million ha developed by the GDRS, and about 1.0 million ha by small- scale privately owned irrigation schemes. Moreover, 6.5 million ha of 8.5 million ha land have been envisaged for development by DSİ, 1.5 million by other state agencies, and 0.5 million ha by small- scale privately owned irrigation schemes by the year 2030.

As of 2006, irrigation projects of 2.85 million ha area have been developed by DSİ which constitute one third of total irrigable area (8.5 million ha) of Turkey. When we look at the figures achieved so far, DSİ’s development of 2.8 million ha means that 10% of the total agricultural area of 28 million ha and 57% of Turkey’s irrigated area of 4.97 million ha is being irrigated. It is estimated that the irrigation area to be developed by DSİ by 2030 will increase to 6.5 million ha (76%) . Turkey, with its present irrigation development of 58% (4.97 Mha of 8.5 Mha), aims at reaching the 8.5 million ha which is technically and economically viable in today’s conditions in order to meet food requirements, to grow agricultural products for industry in a balanced, stable and continuous manner, to solve the unemployment problem of the population working in the agricultural sector, and to raise living standards. Thus, completion of the remaining irrigation projects of 3.53 million ha is of big importance for the above-mentioned purposes.

Water is one of the most important inputs in agricultural development. It provides moisture for plants in the soil and thus increases yield, and also makes the agricultural sector free from climatic conditions, creates additional employment, improves income distribution in rural areas, makes fertilizer use possible, increases a variety of production, and results in yields of more than one crop, depending on the length of the growing period. By 2030, when areas equipped with irrigation infrastructure by DSİ will reach 6.5 million ha, it could provide additional employment for 2 million people. In addition to this economic contribution, irrigated agriculture halts migration to the big cities and brings about social benefit.

Irrigation increases GDAP (Gross Domestic Agricultural Product) approximately five times. According to 2006 data, agricultural income was 65 YTL per ha in pre-irrigation conditions. However, the figure is now 353,8 YTL per ha in post-irrigation conditions.

Recently, the state investment budget has decreased and so has the share of DSİ in this budget. Inadequacy and decline in public funding for irrigation projects have resulted in extended delays in completion of projects. Consequently, this may bring about the following: the expected benefit cannot be obtained, trust in public agencies weakens, and some technical drawbacks may appear. A total of 169 large-scale irrigation projects which are included in the investment programme of DSİ can only be completed in 38 years with the budget allocated in 2005. The DSİ General Directorate aims to shorten this time interval to 20 years in the short term, even to 10 years by developing alternative financing models.

As of the beginning of 2006, DSİ has realized construction of 1,930 irrigation schemes and has thus equipped net 2,458,805 ha area with irrigation facilities of which DSİ operates 99,236 ha area (65 irrigation schemes), while it has transferred 1,922,132 ha (626 irrigation schemes) to Water User Associations (WUAs), and 16,021 ha (28 irrigation schemes) to other agencies (State Farms, Universities, etc.). Furthermore, an area of 421,416 ha (1,211 irrigation schemes) has been developed by GDRS in cooperation with DSİ for GWICs.

As of 2006, in completed irrigation projects, canal types according to their service area are as follows: 44% classic open canals (unlined and lined), 49% canalettes, and 7% pipe systems. Canal lengths in the irrigation schemes of GWICs constructed by GDRS are not included in the above figures. A similar classification also can be made according to canal lengths.

Besides irrigation canals, DSİ also constructs and maintains open drainage canals for draining returning water from irrigation and excess water from the irrigation area. Total drainage canal length is 22,466 km, 6,462 km of which is main drainage canals, 7,139 km secondary drainage canals, and 8,865 km tertiary drainage canals. In order to perform operation, management, maintenance and repair of canals, and to provide access for farmers, 35,909 km of service roads have been built. In all DSİ-developed irrigations, in order to perform operation, maintenance and repair of the above- mentioned canals, and ensure farmers’ participation, DSİ has adopted a new policy, and management responsibility for irrigation has been in the hands of farming organizations since 1993. The World Bank has supported the Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) performed by DSİ. The IMT executed by DSİ has been so successful that the World Bank has shown it as an exemplary policy to developing countries.

Southeastern Anatolian Project (GAP)

The Southeastern Anatolian Project known as GAP in Turkis, is a very important integrated project for the economic and social development of the Region. The project includes active farming with extensive irrigation systems and electricity generation. The project area covers the lower parts of the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers and 9 provinces in the Region. These are Gaziantep, Adıyaman, Kilis, Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, Mardin, Siirt, Batman, and Şırnak. A total of 6.47 million people live in these provinces according to the population census held in 2000. The project is one of the biggest investments of the last century undertaken by DSİ and contains 13 projects, 7 of which are in the Euphrates Basin and 6 of which are in the Tigris Basin.

Within the scope of these 13 projects, 27 billion kWh hydroelectric energy will be produced annually with 7,490 MW installed capacity and 1.83 million ha of land will be irrigated with the construction of 22 dams and 19 HEPPs. Within the GAP project, the level of realization of energy projects is 75% and that of irrigation projects is 13%. The Karakaya, Atatürk, Birecik and Karkamış dams and HEPPs on the Euphrates River, and the Batman, Kralkızı, and Dicle dams and HEPPs on the Tigris River have been completed and hydroelectric energy is being produced in all HEPPs. The Hancağız and Çamgazi dams have also been completed on the Euphrates River, but these are without HEPPs.

Being an integrated development project, GAP aims to raise the income level of the Region and to affect socio-cultural development positively. The main factor that would increase the general income level will be achieved by means of the investments to be realized by DSİ, especially investments in the agricultural sector. For this reason, the Government has decided that GAP will be completed by 2010 and has announced this with Letter No. 98/11231 dated 04.06.1998, stating that all relevant organizations will revise their programmes accordingly. The DSİ General Directorate also conducted a study in this direction in 1998 to finish its own program by 2010, and the annual amount of budget required for the 1999-2010 period has been determined and submitted to associated organizations. However, it is clear from the amounts of the 1999-2005 period investment budgets that funds reserved for GAP are not sufficient to realize targets. If the above- mentioned target (2010) were still to be valid, an optimum annual construction amount would be taken into account and implemented accordingly.

Individual projects involving a total area of 107,700 ha are included within the total GAP irrigation area of 1,829,361 ha. Among these individual projects realized by DSİ Regional Directorates, 71,229 ha are in operation.

Water Supply Projects

Based on the results of the 2000 census, there are 55 settlements with populations over 100,000 in Turkey. Between 1968 and 2005, DSİ has been authorized by the Council of Ministers to supply water to 48 cities. Among the 48 cities, water supply projects for 20 cities as well as the “Water Supply Project for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” are in progress at present. The master plan, feasibility study, final design, and construction work of water supply projects for the above-mentioned 17 cities are continuing. After the completion of the construction works, these facilities will be transferred to the related municipality..

Pursuant to Law No. 1053, as of the beginning of 2006, DSİ has supplied an approximate annual total of 2,588 hm³ (2.6 billion m³) of domestic water complying with drinking water standards. This annual water supply will reach 5.4 km³ with completion of the projects which are under construction, or at the final design and planning stages. The amount of water extracted from groundwater resources developed by DSİ Regional Directorates by means of drilling wells for municipalities and other institutions is not included in the above- mentioned annual volume because these works are not done within the scope of Law No.1053.

The approximate total length of transmission pipeline , including concrete, steel and glass- reinforced pipe (GRP) with different diameters has reached 1,000 km since 1968. Water supply projects developed by DSİ have met one third of domestic and industrial water consumption requirements so far. 2 billion m³ of water annually is treated in treatment plants in accordance with European standards. The water treatment plant projects of 11 cities have been developed by DSİ.

Activities Concerning Environment

Article 56 of the Turkish Constitution in 1982 identified the concept of the environment. After the Environment Law was enacted in 1983, many regulations came into force pursuant to Article 31 of the Law. Of these regulations, those concerning DSİ are the Water Pollution Control Regulation and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Law.

Pollution research projects and water pollution maps are prepared in cooperation with other organizations. Environmental concerns stressed by international environmental conventions, such as the Convention on Combating Desertification, and the Ramsar Convention are taken into account in development projects. The necessary information, data and reports are prepared for continuous water resources quality monitoring (surface and groundwater in the whole country) activities. Major activities for rescuing the archeological heritage and for wetlands protection are as follows:

·         Rescue Projects for the Archaeological Heritage under the Keban Dam Reservoir and Lower Euphrates;

·         Archaeological Excavations under the Tahtalı Dam Reservoir (İzmir)

·         Allianoi Excavations under the Yortanlı Dam (Bergama)

·         Archaeological Excavations under Manisa Gördes Dam

·         Salvage Projects of Ilısu (Hasankeyf) and Karkamış Dam Reservoirs

·         Project of Pollution Effect of Irrigation Water for Balıkesir and Kepsut Plains

·         Manyas Project (Balıkesir)

·         Investigation Project of Sources of Lake Pollution in Atatürk Dam

·         Project of Paşabağ Region Irrigation

·         Dreinage Projects for Solving Environmental Problems in Harran Plain

·         Gala Lake National Park Project

·         Eşmekaya Reedbeds Protection Project (Aksaray)

·         Ecological Protection Project for Mucur-Seyfe Lake (Kırşehir) and

·         The Sultansazlığı–Develi Project (Kayseri)

·         Menderes Basin Project

DSİ attaches great importance to the protection of nature and wildlife and conducts activities on “development of sustainable water resources”, both independently and in collaboration with other related governmental and non-governmental organizations. DSİ also provides technical and financial support to rescue our historical and archeological heritage for the generations of the future. Implementation of the Water Framework Directive Project is going on within the framework of work directed at adaptation to EU regulations. The Büyük Menderes Basin Project has been selected as a Pilot Project, and the preparation work for the “Integrated Water Management Plan” for the Büyük Menderes Basin Pilot Project is continuing.

Flood Management Works

Building and operating protective structures against floods is one of the basic duties and responsibilities of DSİ. DSİ takes the necessary precautions and warns the relevant organizations in the event of flood emergencies. The floods combined with the landslides experienced by Turkey on May 21-25, 1998, caused deaths, suffering, and extensive damage to both public and private property in the West Black Sea Region (WBSR). In order to combat floods, develop flood management, and reduce or eliminate long-term risk, the Government of Turkey, with the assistance of the World Bank , has developed the TEFER project (Turkey Emergency Flood Earthquake Rehabilitation) and loans of US$ 369 million, US$ 84 million of which is intended for DSİ projects have been allocated. The Government of Turkey secured this loan (World Bank Loan No. 4388-TU) from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).

The TEFER Project involves the introduction of some technologies that are new in Turkey. Hence, the various activities have been implemented in the selected four pilot river basins, which are West Black Sea Region, Susurluk, Gediz, and Büyük Menderes. These four basins have been selected for upgrading of the DSİ hydro-met monitoring system and the development and testing of improved flood forecasting. Repair and reconstruction of the flood protection infrastructure in the WBSR have been an immediate priority for investment.

One of the sub-components of the TEFER Project is the modernization of monitoring, forecasting, warning and response systems. The implementation of this sub-component has been handled through Prime Ministry Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and through the following project implementation agencies namely, the General Directorates of DSİ, DMİ (State Meteorological Works), and EİE (Electric Power Resources Survey and Administration).

Being an integrated scheme, the above-mentioned sub-component of the TEFER Project includes both supply of some consultancy services, together with the necessary hardware-software and combining a series of different technologies in order to make forecasts for the above-mentioned pilot basins. Utilization of appropriate technology and design techniques allows prediction of the frequency, magnitude, and time of floods and provides early warnings to provincial and local authorities and the public against expected floods.

Erosion and Sediment Control Works

General Directorate of DSI has always had sensitive for erosion control activities. In order to supply the sustainability of water and land resources and increase their efficiency, DSI makes investigations on erosion and sediment control and for the prevention of harms from floods. With the realization of 263 projects of DSI, 210 settlements and 20,500 ha agricultural land have been protected from the effect of erosion and sediment. Also together with ongoing 196 projects 165 settlements and 15,000 ha agricultural land will be protected. In 32 dams whose reservoirs are subject to have problems caused by sedimentation in the future, investigations are done to control the erosion and sediment.

A forestation work and creation of recreation facilities by DSİ aim at prevention of erosion, decreasing the sediment amount deposited in dams through rivers, restoring the environment of dam basins and their catchments. Areas planted with trees also serve as public promenades and picnic areas. According to the cooperation protocol signed in 2003 between the General Directorates of DSİ and Forestry and Erosion Control, an area of 20,000 ha will be afforested by planting 60 million saplings in four years. Using erosion control techniques will protect water and soil resources, thus more green country will be handed down to future

Expropriation and Settlement

The DSİ General Directorate needs to obtain land properties (real estates) for water and land resources development projects. Up until today, approximately 520,000 ha of private land have been expropriated. Together with 200,000 ha of land obtained from Treasury and Forestry lands, the total land owned by DSİ has reached 720,000 ha, which is 1% of the country’s total land area. This area is equal in size to 17% of the total Netherlands’ surface area, while it is 21% of Belgium’s total surface area.

Information Technologies

DSİ, which has become the locomotive force among the investing organizations , is one of the leading institutions in the area of data-processing as well. The first data-processing system of DSİ was on an IBM computer, which was the same size as a room. Until 1991, IBM systems were supplied by means of leasing but after 1991 by purchasing.

Use of the internet in Turkey commenced in 1993 and use of the internet has reached unbelievable levels nowadays. DSİ was connected to the internet in 1995 with 64 Kb. Then, in 1997, a network was set up and structuring of the network programs commenced. In  2000, DSİ started work on extending the existing network among its offices all over Turkey. Then the 25 Regional Directorates were included in the General Directorate network with a connection of 64 Kb. Subsequently the network capacity was upgraded to 128 Kb.

In order to establish for DSİ a sound management and information network, which is also the main characteristic of e-government (e-dsi), studies have been made and programs formed by DSİ, after deciding on its own e-transformation program. Programs formed by nine modules, which are known briefly as mis.net, has been completed and put in operation. With the help of these programs, all office work in DSİ is achieved in a swift, reliable and economical manner without distinctions. In addition to this, central control has been made possible. DSİ saved approximately 2 million USD having these programs prepared centrally.

Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System

The use of new technologies in DSİ activities is important in order to be able to develop the country’s water resources in a more effective and efficient manner. Most engineering and related disciplines, as well as water resources planning and management, which are main study subjects, render the Geographical Information System indispensable. The geographical information existing only in classic maps, reports, and other similar environments slows analysis of information, even precludes it.

By using GIS, observations, analysis, research, and production outcomes once stored on paper and in individual data bases will be stored in digital data bases in which data will be accessed and analyzed quickly, efficiently, rationally, and interactively in detail in terms of research and application.

In the light of the explanations given above, DSİ is the primary agency working in water sector in Turkey and has important responsibilities to support the sustainable development of Turkey’s water resources. The achievements made by DSİ have contributed to basic inputs for the development of rural industry and life. DSİ will continue to accomplish these important tasks in the future.