Alibey Dam

Alibey Dam is a dam constructed on the Alibey Creek to meet Istanbul’s drinking and usage water needs. The dam is managed under various protection plans to ensure the sustainable management of water resources and to minimize environmental impacts related to water supply.

^{Alibey Dam -} TRT Haber

Construction of Alibey Dam began in 1966 and it was put into operation in 1983. It is known to be an earth-fill dam with an annual capacity of 36 million cubic meters and a catchment area of 160 square kilometers.

Alibey Dam is one of the important water sources supplying Istanbul’s water needs. However, in recent years its water level has significantly declined due to stone quarries and mining activities in the surrounding area, dropping to as low as 7.41 percent. This level is recorded as the lowest in the past ten years.

To preserve the quality and quantity of water in the dam, the “Alibey Dam Lake Drinking and Usage Water Catchment Protection Plan” has been implemented. According to this plan:

• No waste discharge, direct or indirect, into the dam lake is permitted.
• Urban development plans and modifications within the catchment area are regulated based on the principle of protecting the dam ecosystem.
• Existing industrial facilities and commercial enterprises may continue operations without generating industrial wastewater, but new industrial facilities are not permitted.

Across Istanbul’s dams, fill rates have shown a declining trend. As of 2024, the fill rate at Alibey Dam has dropped to 7.41 percent, and with significant water extraction, historic water arches have emerged above the surface.

Alibey Dam is a strategic dam playing a vital role in Istanbul’s drinking water supply. However, environmental threats and climate change have led to a decline in its water level and jeopardized its sustainability. Strict implementation of current protection policies is critical for the dam’s long-term use.