THE HISTORY OF THE PROJECT

The decision to use water resources in a rational way has been taken by Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey . The need for electric energy has emerged as the most urgent priority at that time when the country had embarked upon an ambitious transformation and development programme in economy and culture. Thus the Electric Works Studies Agency was established in 1936 upon Atatürk's instructions in order to produce electric energy from water resources which were not exploited until then.The agency has initiated intensive studies under the "Keban Scheme" and observation stations were build in order to examine all aspects of the Euphrates River and to obtain results there from. Geological and topographic studies were initiated in Keban strait in 1938. Between 1950-1960 drilling works were carried out by the Electric Works Studies Agency on both Euphrates and Tigris. The State Hydraulic Works (DSI) was set up in 1954 when new requirements emerged. Upon proposals to perform studies covering basins in Turkey DSI has divided Turkey into 26 basins and launched studies and planning activities. As a result of studies performed by the Euphrates Planning Administration established in Diyarbakir in 1961 a survey on the Euphrates basin was originated in 1966. Similar studies covering the Tigris basin have been performed by DSI's Diyarbakir Regional Directorate. Thus principles have been laid out for utilization of the Lower Euphrates basin Tigris basin and in 1977 the government decided to unite both projects under the title of "Southeast Anatolia Project" In 1986 The State Planning Organization was authorized to integrate the Southeast Anatolia Region with regional planning and to ensure coordination and steering of continuing activities.

Return to Gap page