Five major reservoirs in Armenia are completely full; water intake from Lake Sevan began at the latest rate in just 25 years
23.07.2026,
11:34
Five of Armenia's largest reservoirs have been filled to their design capacity thanks to heavy rainfall, according to a video posted by the Armenian government on Facebook.
YEREVAN, July 23. /ARKA/. Five of Armenia's largest reservoirs have been filled to their design capacity thanks to heavy rainfall, according to a video posted by the Armenian government on Facebook.
As noted in the video, precipitation significantly exceeded the norm from December 2025 to May 2026. As a result, the water volume in the Aparan Reservoir reached 91 million cubic meters, in the Azat Reservoir – 70 million cubic meters, in the Akhuryan Reservoir – 525 million cubic meters, in the Arpi-Lich Reservoir – 105 million cubic meters, and in the Marmarik Reservoir – 24 million cubic meters.
Levon Azizyan, Director of the Center for Hydrometeorology and Monitoring, reported that February 2026 was the heaviest month in terms of precipitation in recorded history.
"March also set a record for precipitation since records began in 1938. In some areas, including the Amberd and Aragats stations, precipitation exceeded the norm by three to five times. As a result of heavy rainfall on March 28, the snow depth at the Aragats high-mountain station reached a record 324 cm," said Azizyan.
According to him, thanks to the reservoirs being full, water intake from Lake Sevan began on July 2—the latest in the last 25 years.
"For comparison, last year, water intake from Lake Sevan began on June 6, and by July 2, 46 million cubic meters of water had already been withdrawn from the lake. This year, thanks to the reservoirs being full, we were able to conserve over 46 million cubic meters of water in the lake. "The government has decided to limit water intake from Lake Sevan in 2026 to 140 million cubic meters, compared to 180 million cubic meters the previous year," Azizyan said.
He also noted that in June 2026, the water level of Lake Sevan rose by 18 cm. This is the second-highest level in the history of hydrological observations, which began in 1927. A more significant increase in the lake's water level was recorded only in 1988.
Projects for the construction and reconstruction of five reservoirs, totaling approximately 40 billion drams, are currently under discussion in Armenia. The investment programs propose constructing reservoirs in the settlements of Kasakh in the Armavir region, Yelpin in the Vayots Dzor region, Astghadzor in the Gegharkunik region, and Lichk in the Syunik region, as well as reconstructing the reservoir in Artik in the Shirak region.
As noted in the video, precipitation significantly exceeded the norm from December 2025 to May 2026. As a result, the water volume in the Aparan Reservoir reached 91 million cubic meters, in the Azat Reservoir – 70 million cubic meters, in the Akhuryan Reservoir – 525 million cubic meters, in the Arpi-Lich Reservoir – 105 million cubic meters, and in the Marmarik Reservoir – 24 million cubic meters.
Levon Azizyan, Director of the Center for Hydrometeorology and Monitoring, reported that February 2026 was the heaviest month in terms of precipitation in recorded history.
"March also set a record for precipitation since records began in 1938. In some areas, including the Amberd and Aragats stations, precipitation exceeded the norm by three to five times. As a result of heavy rainfall on March 28, the snow depth at the Aragats high-mountain station reached a record 324 cm," said Azizyan.
According to him, thanks to the reservoirs being full, water intake from Lake Sevan began on July 2—the latest in the last 25 years.
"For comparison, last year, water intake from Lake Sevan began on June 6, and by July 2, 46 million cubic meters of water had already been withdrawn from the lake. This year, thanks to the reservoirs being full, we were able to conserve over 46 million cubic meters of water in the lake. "The government has decided to limit water intake from Lake Sevan in 2026 to 140 million cubic meters, compared to 180 million cubic meters the previous year," Azizyan said.
He also noted that in June 2026, the water level of Lake Sevan rose by 18 cm. This is the second-highest level in the history of hydrological observations, which began in 1927. A more significant increase in the lake's water level was recorded only in 1988.
Projects for the construction and reconstruction of five reservoirs, totaling approximately 40 billion drams, are currently under discussion in Armenia. The investment programs propose constructing reservoirs in the settlements of Kasakh in the Armavir region, Yelpin in the Vayots Dzor region, Astghadzor in the Gegharkunik region, and Lichk in the Syunik region, as well as reconstructing the reservoir in Artik in the Shirak region.
