Pashdan Dam Herat

Background:
The Pashdan Dam, aka Band-e Pashdan, is located about 20 km (12 mi) northeast of Herat, in the Karukh District of Herat Province.It is an embankment dam with a canal network. Its power station is expected to be operational in 2025.Once completed, the dam will produce up to 2 megawatts of electricity and provide irrigation water to over 13,000 ha (32,000 acres) of agriculture land.Its reservoir will be able to store up to 54 million cubic meters of water.

Work on the $117 million Pashdan Dam project began by Afghanistan's Ministry of Energy and Water in 2011, during the tenure of then-Minister Ismail Khan. After the project was nearly completed, the Pashdan Dam has suddenly become a popular recreation area for the residents of Herat.
A spokesman of Iran’s water industry considered the unilateral exploitation of the Harirud river to be a violation of customary rights and said the effects of this unilateral action by the Afghan side will not only affect the supply of drinking water and health of several million people, but also lead to widespread damage to the downstream environment.The construction and impoundment of Pashdan dam in the Harirud border basin causes the reduction of the natural flow of the Harirud border river and the occurrence of social and environmental damages in the downstream areas, especially the problem of serious damage to the drinking water supply of the holy city of Mashhad.(20241230)

The Pashdan Dam in the Karukh district of Herat province has been officially handed over for operation, marking a significant milestone in Afghanistan’s efforts to strengthen its economic infrastructure under the Islamic Emirate.
(20250815)