Vízügyi Közlemények, 1973 (55. évfolyam)

4. füzet - Rövidebb közlemények és beszámolók

reach of the river (see paper 1.3). One of the key structures in this complex regional development project is the Kisköre Barrage which has started operation recently. 3. The Kisköre Barrage and the attached irrigation developments The final decision on the realization of the Kisköre Barrage was incorporated in the law-decree on the Third Five-year Plan of the Hungarian national economy, stating that in the interest of relieving water shortages and of irrigation development in the Tisza River construction work must be started on the second barrage (see paper 2.1). The site for the barrage was selected after careful studies considering several alternatives. Preliminary studies have shown the advisability of storing the impounded water directly in the river channel, utilizing the flood plain confined by the flood levees. Although the necessary reinforcement of the levees involved considerable expenditures, the investment cost per 1 cu.m of stored water is still lower by one half than the costs of storage lakes formed in the plains by ring dikes. The large bay formed by the diverging levees afford favourable intake conditions for the main irrigation canals. The site in the vicinity of the village Kisköre was adopted for the barrage an the basis of similar considerations. The dry period in the early 1960'ies resulted in a considerable growth of water demands. For eliminating the ensuing water shortages it was found imperative to enhance the supplies by augmenting the flow available in the river. Following a decision by the government in 1961, the project programme was completed in 1964 (see paper 2.9). Parallel thereto the National Technical Development Board recommended the inclusion of the project into the 3rd and 4th five-year plans. After extensive studies the Economic Commission of the government approved the realisation of the project in 1964 and promulgated a decision on the first stage of construction in 1965. The enclosure of the construction pit for the barrage was started late in 1966, its excavation, in 1967. Construction work proper began in 1968. The main objectives of the project (see paper 2.1) were stated as follows: — by creating more uniform discharge conditions, to increase the available supplies in the river ultimately by 144 cu.m sec, — to meet growing demands by gravity and to supply water for the irrigation of 300,000 hectares where irrigation farming is to be introduced, — to generate 103 million kWhours of hydroelectric power annually, — to create a 120 km long waterway permitting traffic of 1350 ton barges, and — to create recreation opportunities over the 127 sq.km surface of the storage lake. At the same time opportunities are offered for locating water consuming industries, including the expansion of the Tisza Chemical Works and of the Tisza Thermal Power Station. 261