INTRODUCTION

Water resources, which are vital for life, have been decreasing day by day and also are subjected to the danger of pollution. Due to the fact that water resources cross several regions with different characteristics, local actions only would not be adequate for their safeguarding. It is scientific certainty that water resources should be evaluated on the basis of the entire basin. Should both the cross border and national water resources be exploited in the framework of basin management, effective protection could be realized.

Rivers provide water and nutrients for agriculture, habitat to diverse flora and fauna, routes for commerce, recreation and electricity.

An international congress on river basin management, which is aimed at protecting and managing water resources and preventing flood hazards, is organized by DSİ in collaboration with WWC.

The River Basin Management Congress and Exhibition is one of the preparatory events for the 5^th World Water Forum. Conclusions of the International River Basin Management Congress will contribute to the 5th World Water Forum which will be held in Istanbul in 2009.

This congress attempts to gather international experts, academicians, public and private sector representatives and researchers working on matters related to river basins, in an effort to exchange information on methodologies and techniques used in the river basin management.

By means of this congress, technical personnel attending it will be equipped with new knowledge about subjects of “Basin Resources Protection”, “Basin Water Management”, “River Basin Flood Management”, Practices on River Basin Management”.

This congress proceedings contain 131 articles. I congratulate the organizing committee for their contributions to the organization of this congress and preparation of the congress.

I would like to thank my colleagues, eminent faculty members, representatives of international organizations, engineers working for public and private sectors for their participation and valuable contributions and wish them many more years of successful work. 

 Prof. Dr. Veysel EROĞLU
Director General DSİ