The Kurdistan Region is set to move forward with the construction of four major dams as part of a strategic plan to combat its ongoing water shortage and improve long-term resource management, according to Ali Rashid, President of the Erbil Provincial Council.
Speaking to The Kurdish Globe, Rashid confirmed that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi federal government have reached an agreement to build four large and strategic dams across the region. The project is currently in its preparatory phase and represents a key step in addressing the water crisis while promoting sustainable development.
One of the largest of these projects is the Mandawa Dam, which is already under construction. With a planned storage capacity of one billion cubic meters, the Mandawa Dam is expected to benefit both Erbil and Duhok governorates. The reservoir will be located between Akre, Bardarash, and the Erbil border, bringing direct advantages to the districts of Akre, Bardarash, and Sheikhan.
The total investment required for the four dam projects is estimated at $700 million, with foreign companies expected to undertake the construction. Funding for the Mandawa Dam will come from the Iraqi federal budget, and work on the project has already begun.
“The construction of these dams is not just about water storage,” said Rashid. “They will have a transformative impact across several sectors — agriculture, livestock, fisheries, electricity generation, and tourism — and will provide an alternative to excessive groundwater extraction.”
He also highlighted other ongoing initiatives, including the construction of water ponds and the closure of unregulated wells, which have already shown positive effects on the region’s water reserves.
The dams are seen as a vital part of the region’s long-term infrastructure strategy and a significant step toward water independence and economic diversification.
