On June 5, 2025, the Government of Armenia decided to draw 131.8 million cubic meters (m³) of water from Lake Sevan for irrigation purposes. This volume is approximately 40 million m³ less than the legally permitted maximum annual withdrawal of 170 million m³. This marks the second consecutive year that water withdrawals from the lake have been set below the legal maximum; in 2024, 131.038 million m³ were withdrawn for irrigation.
As of June 5, the water level of Lake Sevan stood at 1,900.76 meters above sea level, which is 18 centimeters higher than on the same date last year.
According to the decision’s rationale, this year’s contractually irrigated land area is about 30,000 hectares, and the total demand for irrigation water—including for riverbed flushing of the Hrazdan River (from the Akhuryan Reservoir to Lake Yerevan)—is projected at approximately 446.1 million m³.
To meet this demand, water will be sourced not only from Lake Sevan but also from:
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Hrazdan River – around 201.7 million m³
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Azat Reservoir – about 65.2 million m³
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Aparan Reservoir – about 20.4 million m³
Additionally, the Mkhchyan and Ranchpar-Arevshat pumping stations are expected to operate at maximum capacity, providing an additional 31.3 million m³ of irrigation water.
June 06, 2025 at 17:13