Water Management in Cross Back Transboundary Rivers: The Afrin River Case (Southern Turkey)

International law has not been able to present clear arguments related to right of use and responsibilities in terms of water resources especially about transboundary rivers. One of these transboundary rivers -similar to many others in the world with its pattern of returning to its country of origin after passing through another country- the Afrin River and its basin were selected in this study as the field of practice for a water management and allocation model that may constitute a basis for new practices to solve these problems. According to the findings about surface runoff and sectoral water consumption of the basin, an equitable and reasonable allotment was established and it was found that 40.5% of the potential water in the upper catchment which is surplus could be forwarded to middle catchment while 48.1% of the surplus water from the potential that will collect there would be forwarded to lower catchment. This way, an allocation model that binds the dyads with mutual self interest was created between the areas that are in close proximity to the source where water is collected and the areas that are in close proximity to the estuary where water is expended.

Anahtar Kelimeler: Transboundary rivers, water management, Afrin River

International law has not been able to present clear arguments related to right of use and responsibilities in terms of water resources especially about transboundary rivers. One of these transboundary rivers -similar to many others in the world with its pattern of returning to its country of origin after passing through another country- the Afrin River and its basin were selected in this study as the field of practice for a water management and allocation model that may constitute a basis for new practices to solve these problems. According to the findings about surface runoff and sectoral water consumption of the basin, an equitable and reasonable allotment was established and it was found that 40.5% of the potential water in the upper catchment which is surplus could be forwarded to middle catchment while 48.1% of the surplus water from the potential that will collect there would be forwarded to lower catchment. This way, an allocation model that binds the dyads with mutual self interest was created between the areas that are in close proximity to the source where water is collected and the areas that are in close proximity to the estuary where water is expended.

Keywords: Transboundary rivers, water management, Afrin River