Arpa-Sevan tunnel in the focus of American intelligence. CIA camp

On June 11, 1980, the US Central Intelligence Agency prepares a classified report on the economic, technical or infrastructural affairs of the Soviet Union.

The report includes both intelligence and otherwise acquired materials. The report also presents information on large water economic projects implemented in Soviet Armenia.

Special attention is paid to the ecological condition of Lake Sevan, the management of water resources and the construction of the Arpa-Sevan water tunnel, which was one of the major engineering projects of the USSR period and aimed to provide additional water flow for the Sevan basin.

 

In 1961, the USSR government accepted the decision, and already in March 1963, the construction of hydraulic structures began. The length of the tunnel is 48.3 kilometers and at the time it was considered one of the longest water tunnels in the world. The Arpa-Sevan tunnel was commissioned in March 1981.

In the declassified document of the US CIA there are parts about the construction details of the Arpa-Sevan water tunnel.

Below are excerpts from the document that relate to the construction of the tunnel.

 

“Electricity. About the progress of construction projects of existing hydroelectric power plants (excerpts)

In the first ten days of January 1980, the connection of the eighth and ninth drilling sites of the Arpa-Sevan tunnel was realized. The detonation of the junction of those two sites became the last detonation of the construction of the 48-kilometer long tunnel. The aforementioned tunnel was built to supply water to Lake Sevan, one of the world’s largest freshwater lakes. The builders’ path was extremely difficult and complicated, but the most difficult work was done in the ninth well.

It crossed a huge tectonic fault zone that was filled with water-saturated sedimentary rocks. With heroic efforts, the tunnel builders overcame both large-scale rockfalls and infiltration of underground water. About 1 million cubic meters of rock was removed along the entire length of the tunnel, 250,000 cubic meters of concrete and reinforced concrete were poured, block elements and ring-shaped structures of the tunnel were installed.

On the construction site, exceptional bravery, courage and dedication were shown by the best workers, foremen of the united team G. Mirzoyan and A. Ghazaryan, tunnel builders G. Tereshchenko, B. Chuchva, V. Svistun, V. Shvetsov, blaster A. Yeritsyan, underground work specialist S. Baghdasaryan, heads of well construction works Yu. Mkrtchyan and R. Aristakesyan, as well as many other employees.

During the construction, many new problems arose, which were related to the great length and depth of the underground highway. All these problems have been successfully solved. The study and generalization of the accumulated experience will make it possible to apply it during the construction of other underground highways.

 

The builders have completely completed 31 kilometers of the tunnel, while a number of works are still to be carried out in the remaining 17 kilometers. Representatives of 16 nationalities from all over the country are working on this “road of courage” so that the tunnel will be put into permanent operation ahead of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Soviet power in Armenia. In the remaining months, they have to finish concreting the tunnel arch and finally build the floor in the deep borehole.

The news that the connection of the two sections was successfully carried out spread like lightning in the boreholes of the Vardenis mountain range. On that occasion, the builders held a solemn rally.” (See CIA-RDP82-00850R000200090022-6.pdf).

This document highlights that during the construction of the water tunnel, the US CIA closely monitored the work. It was not a coincidence, because in that period, especially the Soviet press called the construction of the tunnel one of the Armenian engineering miracles and masterpieces of the 20th century.

The structure became not only an engineering masterpiece, but also became the most important strategic plan for ensuring water security in Armenia. Which is still important for the preservation of water resources of Armenia, the implementation of agricultural programs, as well as for the improvement of the ecological condition of Lake Sevan.

Z. I hesitated

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