The Kızılırmak -Kesikköprü System is the insurance policy for Ankara’s water security while the Gerede System is the key to the solution.
Dursun Yıldız
Director
Hydropolitics Association
January 16, 2026
The Gerede Water Supply System is critical to Ankara’s sustainable water supply. The Gerede System can supply Ankara by transferring water from the rainy Western Black Sea basin to the Çamlıdere Dam, which is large enough to meet Ankara’s water demand for 2.5 years.
This system, comprising the Işıklı Regulator, the Gerede Tunnel, and the Çamlıdere Dam, was planned and implemented by the State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) many years ago to ensure that Ankara could overcome drought periods without difficulty. Water diverted from the Ulusu stream by the Işıklı diversion structure is conveyed through the Gerede Tunnel to the Çamlıdere Dam. The plan envisioned filling this dam and using it as a reserve for potential drought periods in Ankara.
The Gerede Water Supply System has played a significant role in ensuring the supply and quality of Ankara’s drinking and utility water to date. However, this function has fallen short of its planned capacity, partly due to drought periods. Therefore, it has become necessary to increase the amount of water supplied to Ankara from the Kızılırmak-Kesikköprü Dam during drought periods. The Kızılırmak-Kesikköprü transmission line has been a major contributor to Ankara’s water security. However, the water quality from Kızılırmak is low, and the unit energy cost is high. It needs to be supplied to Ankara after treatment or blended with higher-quality water. Therefore, the Gerede water supply system needs to operate more efficiently to ensure a sustainable water supply for Ankara.
In this context, the construction of the Işıklı Dam, included in the initial planning of the Gerede System, should be evaluated to enable the transfer of additional water from the region’s sub-basins to this dam and improve system efficiency. In addition, reducing losses and leaks in the city network, controlling the city’s population, and implementing water demand management practices are essential to Ankara’s sustainable water supply security. The Kızılrmak-Kesikköprü Water Supply System is the insurance of Ankara’s water security, and the Gerede System is the key to the solution. As the Water Policies Association, we have conducted studies on our capital’s access to affordable, high-quality, and safe water. In this context, we believe it is necessary to promptly initiate studies to improve the efficiency of the Gerede System for Ankara’s sustainable water supply security, from economic, ecological, and social perspectives. Making the Gerede system the main water source for Ankara is a priority in the studies to be carried out.
This requires cooperation between the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) and the Ankara Municipality.
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The Kızılırmak -Kesikköprü System is the insurance policy for Ankara’s water security while the Gerede System is the key to the solution.
Dursun Yıldız
Director
Hydropolitics Association
January 16, 2026
The Gerede Water Supply System is critical to Ankara’s sustainable water supply. The Gerede System can supply Ankara by transferring water from the rainy Western Black Sea basin to the Çamlıdere Dam, which is large enough to meet Ankara’s water demand for 2.5 years.
This system, comprising the Işıklı Regulator, the Gerede Tunnel, and the Çamlıdere Dam, was planned and implemented by the State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) many years ago to ensure that Ankara could overcome drought periods without difficulty. Water diverted from the Ulusu stream by the Işıklı diversion structure is conveyed through the Gerede Tunnel to the Çamlıdere Dam. The plan envisioned filling this dam and using it as a reserve for potential drought periods in Ankara.
The Gerede Water Supply System has played a significant role in ensuring the supply and quality of Ankara’s drinking and utility water to date. However, this function has fallen short of its planned capacity, partly due to drought periods. Therefore, it has become necessary to increase the amount of water supplied to Ankara from the Kızılırmak-Kesikköprü Dam during drought periods. The Kızılırmak-Kesikköprü transmission line has been a major contributor to Ankara’s water security. However, the water quality from Kızılırmak is low, and the unit energy cost is high. It needs to be supplied to Ankara after treatment or blended with higher-quality water. Therefore, the Gerede water supply system needs to operate more efficiently to ensure a sustainable water supply for Ankara.
In this context, the construction of the Işıklı Dam, included in the initial planning of the Gerede System, should be evaluated to enable the transfer of additional water from the region’s sub-basins to this dam and improve system efficiency. In addition, reducing losses and leaks in the city network, controlling the city’s population, and implementing water demand management practices are essential to Ankara’s sustainable water supply security. The Kızılrmak-Kesikköprü Water Supply System is the insurance of Ankara’s water security, and the Gerede System is the key to the solution. As the Water Policies Association, we have conducted studies on our capital’s access to affordable, high-quality, and safe water. In this context, we believe it is necessary to promptly initiate studies to improve the efficiency of the Gerede System for Ankara’s sustainable water supply security, from economic, ecological, and social perspectives. Making the Gerede system the main water source for Ankara is a priority in the studies to be carried out.
This requires cooperation between the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) and the Ankara Municipality.
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