ASSESSMENT OF WATER RESOURCES IN THE SHU-TALAS RIVER BASIN

Under the conditions of climate change, accompanied by changes in the amount and regime of precipitation, melting of mountain glaciers and increase in average annual temperatures, significant changes in river flow are observed, which affects the water balance and operational characteristics of reservoirs. In this paper, the water resources of the Shu-Talas water basin were assessed based on analysing the water balance of the Tasotkel, Ters-Ashchybulak and Intaly water reservoirs. The results showed positive water balance for the Tasotkel water reservoir and negative water balance for the other 2 reservoirs. The dynamics of water withdrawal for regular irrigation and changes in irrigated area from 2009 to 2018 were also analysed, showing uneven distribution of water flow. It was found that the main water consumer is agriculture, which consumes up to 70 % of the basin's water resources. The obtained data can be used to optimise water use and develop adaptation measures under climate change conditions.