Water Resources Management in Republic of North Macedonia

Abstract

There are significant water resources in the country but unequally distributed. According to the precipitation regime, the western part is 5 times richer in precipitation than the central part of the country. All of the 10 largest water springs are located in the western part of the country, spring area of river Vardar and river Crni Drim basin. The eastern part is much dryer, poor in spring waters and predominantly depends from the accumulated water in the dams. The most significant surface water resource is two lakes in the country Ohrid Lake (50.7 km³) and Prespa Lake (4.75 km³). The more organized managing of water resources started in the post war period in the 20th century with establishing Water Management Authority. With this public body largest irrigation systems were created in 50ies and more than 300 dams were built to keep the water obtained in the wet period and use it in the dry period of the year, mainly used for water supply of population, industry and agriculture. Today main managing body for country water resources is Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Water Management. Recently there is high demand for improvement of capacity, financials and human resources in this public body for better water management.