| Akra Kaur Dam | |
|---|---|
  Location of Akra Kaur Dam in Balochistan, Pakistan  Akra Kaur Dam (Pakistan) | |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Location | Gwadar District, Balochistan |
| Coordinates | 25°21′29″N62°16′44″E / 25.35806°N 62.27889°E |
| Status | Operational |
| Opening date | 1995 |
| Construction cost | $24 million |
| Owner(s) | Government of Balochistan |
Akra Kaur Dam, sometimes also referred to as Ankara Kaur Dam, is located near Gawadar in Balochistan, Pakistan. The dam was constructed in 1995 [1] at a cost of $24 million [2] to supply water to Gawadar and adjoining villages. It is the sole source of water supply to residents of the Gwadar District area. [3] The dam contains a volume of water equal to 17,025 acre-feet, (21,000 megalitres), to provide 1.62 million gallons daily. [4]
The dam's dead storage level is 27 metres, below which is 5,270 acre-feet of water, and its live storage level maximum is 32 metres. As of February 2018, it has silted up to 26.3 metres, and the government is investigating a de-silting operation. [4]
In 2005, torrential rain in the area caused an overflow from the dam, inundating a number of villages and claiming at least 20 lives. [5] In July 2012, reports emerged that the dam had dried up completely due to large-scale siltation. This has posed serious water supply challenges to local residents, including acute shortage of drinking water. [6] [7] [8]
In May 2017, Akra Dam ran dry. During that time, Gwadar city's sole water supply was brought from Mirani Dam via tanker truck, at a cost of Rs.220 million per month for 1.3-1.8 million gallons a day. The water was "drinkable but unsafe". A promised water treatment system was not organised. Truck drivers periodically struck due to long delayed wages, interrupting supply. [4]
