The Sultansuyu Dam in Malatya, Turkey, has resumed full-capacity operations following extensive rehabilitation works undertaken after the devastating 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, according to official statements and industry sources.
The project, led by national authorities and highlighted by TRCOLD, involved an investment of approximately TRY 465 million to repair and strengthen the structure, which had sustained damage during the February 2023 seismic events.
In a statement, Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı confirmed that the dam is now fully operational again. “This facility… will continue to contribute 2 billion Turkish Lira annually to our country’s economy,” he said, noting its importance for regional agriculture.
The Sultansuyu Dam is a zoned embankment dam with a clay core, standing 60m high from its foundation and extending 721.25m along its crest. Its restoration reinstates irrigation services across approximately 11,665 hectares of farmland, a critical lifeline for agricultural productivity in the Malatya region.
According to TRCOLD, the rehabilitation included comprehensive strengthening measures designed not only to restore the dam’s integrity but also to improve its resilience against future seismic events. The organisation described the project as a valuable reference case for post-earthquake dam safety evaluation and rehabilitation practices.
The reopening marks a significant milestone in Türkiye’s broader recovery efforts following the 2023 earthquakes, which caused widespread infrastructure damage across southern regions.
With irrigation flows restored and economic contributions projected at around TRY 2 billion annually, the dam’s return to service is expected to provide both immediate and long-term benefits to the regional economy.
