The latest statistics on the condition of Iran’s dams show that the volume of water entering reservoirs during the current water year has declined, and a significant portion of the country’s dam capacity remains empty.
On Friday, February 6, the state-run ILNA news agency, reported in a statistical analysis that although rainfall has increased compared to last year, it remains below the long-term average and has failed to compensate for the water resource deficit.
According to the report, as of February 1, 64% of dam reservoirs were empty. In one example, the Amir Kabir Dam (also known as Karaj Dam, located in Alborz Province), with only 1% capacity filled, shows an 81% decrease compared to the same period last year.
The Karaj Dam’s Reservoir Can Only Supply Tehran’s Drinking Water for Two Weeks
From the beginning of the 2025–2026 water year until February 1, the total water inflow into the country’s dam reservoirs reached 7 billion and 340 million cubic meters. This figure shows a 4% decrease compared to 7 billion and 640 million cubic meters during the same period last year.
During the same period, the total water stored in the country’s dams was reported at 18 billion and 770 million cubic meters, which is 16% less than last year. According to these figures, 64% of the country’s dam reservoir capacity is empty, meaning that about two-thirds of Iran’s water storage capacity remains unused, and the unfavorable trend in reservoir levels continues.
Status of dams in Tehran and Alborz Provinces
An examination of the dams supplying drinking water and agricultural needs in Tehran and Alborz Provinces also indicates the continuation of critical conditions.
As of February 1, the Amir Kabir (Karaj) Dam held only 6 million cubic meters of water and, at 1% capacity, shows an 81% decrease compared to the same period last year.
The Lar Dam, with 10 million cubic meters of water and 1% capacity, holds 26% less water than last year.
The Latyan–Mamalou dam complex contains 23 million cubic meters of water and, at 8% capacity, has experienced a 49% decrease compared to last year.
The Taleqan Dam, with 88 million cubic meters of storage and 21% capacity, has seen about a 59% decrease compared to the same period in the 2024–2025 water year.
Rainfall situation
The report indicates that rainfall statistics also present a far from encouraging picture.
Since September 23, 2025, the nationwide average precipitation has been recorded at about 108 millimeters. The long-term average for the same period is about 111 millimeters, while during the same period last year it was about 57 millimeters.
Although rainfall has increased compared to last year, it is still below the long-term average and has not compensated for the water resource deficit.
Tehran Province has been identified as the driest province in the country. Since the beginning of the water year, about 40 millimeters of rainfall have been recorded in Tehran, which is 65% below the long-term average.
According to the report, overall only about one-third of the country’s water needs have been met so far, and recent rainfall has not had a significant impact on alleviating the drought and water shortage crisis.
Experts say this situation could intensify challenges in supplying drinking water and agricultural needs in the coming months, at a time when public dissatisfaction over government and regime inefficiency has reached unprecedented levels, and Iran’s regime is still grappling with the consequences of the bloody crackdown on January protests.
Masoud Pezeshkian, president of Iran’s regime, said on December 23, 2025, in the regime’s parliament that the water problem in Iran is so critical that “Today, provinces are practically involved in disputes and conflicts; like the disagreements between Isfahan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, Khuzestan, and Yazd over water.”
He also acknowledged that “All the laws written since the beginning of the 1979 revolution to control and improve optimal water consumption have, according to statistics, made our water situation worse.”
Iran has faced severe drought for years. In addition, water waste, excessive extraction from underground aquifers, structural weaknesses including inefficient or overly interventionist water management, and the expansion of agriculture have all intensified the crisis in the country.
