Governing closing basins: the case of the Gediz River in Turkey

• Published in: Irrigation and River Basin Management pp. 193 - 213
• Main Authors: Svendsen, M, Murray-Rust, D. H, Harmanc og lu, N, Alpaslan, N
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Wallingford, UK CABI Publishing 2005; CABI
• Subjects: Asia; case studies; catchment areas; catchment hydrology; citizen participation; community involvement; demand; Developing Countries; institutions; irrigation; Management of land & natural resources; Mediterranean Region; OECD Countries; rivers; social participation; stakeholders; water allocation; water distribution; water legislation; water management; water policy; water resource management; water resources; water rights; water supplies; water supply; water use; watering; watershed management; watersheds; West Asia; Turkey
• ISBN: 9780851996721; 0851996728
• DOI: 10.1079/9780851996721.0193

The status of Turkey in terms of its population and economy and the biophysical characteristics of the Gediz River are described. The hydrology (surface and groundwater) and water use patterns (irrigation, urban and municipal water supply, industry, hydropower, and environmental consumption) within Gediz Basin are discussed. Also covered are legal, water rights, policy and institutional conditions affecting the governance and management of the river basin. The key actors and essential basin management functions in the Gediz basin are tabulated. Finally, two assessments are combined to summarize the problems facing the basin (e.g. poor surface water quality and loosely controlled allocation among users) and the challenges (systematize water rights, developed coordinating mechanism and involve private sector) it must meet to overcome them.