Jlantah Dam in Karanganyar Inaugurated, Ready to Irrigate 1,494 Hectares of Rice Fields

The Jlantah Dam, located in Jatiyoso, Karanganyar Regency, Central Java, has officially commenced operations. The national strategic project, built since 2019 with a state budget of Rp1.08 trillion, was inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto online on Friday (10/7/2026), alongside several other strategic projects across the country. The dam’s presence is projected to become the backbone of irrigation in the ‘Bumi Intan Pari’ region. In addition to irrigating 1,494 hectares of existing rice fields in four sub-districts, the dam is also targeted to support the creation of 230 hectares of new paddy fields. Head of the Bengawan Solo River Basin Centre (BBWSBS), Gatut Bayuadji, expressed gratitude for the completion of the project, which had undergone schedule adjustments. He stated that the Jlantah Dam has a crucial function as an artificial water reservoir to maintain water availability for the community and the environment. ‘This dam provides important benefits, especially for supporting agricultural irrigation, supplying raw water, and helping to reduce potential flood risks,’ said Gatut. He added that the dam plays a strategic role in water resource conservation. With a reservoir area covering 535,000 m², the Jlantah Dam can hold a maximum water volume of up to 11,960,000 m³. As a multipurpose infrastructure, the development of irrigation networks in the downstream sector will continue to be refined. Gatut detailed that of the total projected agricultural land service of 1,494 hectares, currently 806 hectares can directly receive water flow due to adequate existing infrastructure. Meanwhile, the remaining 688 hectares are still classified as potential land. ‘I need to detail that 458 hectares of the potential land actually already have networks. However, 230 hectares truly require the creation of new paddy fields and the addition of irrigation networks,’ he explained. To pursue this target, BBWSBS is intensively coordinating with the Regional Secretary of Central Java and the Provincial Development Planning Agency to accelerate progress on the ground. ‘When the new paddy field land is ready and the irrigation network is planned, we will build the conveyance channels so that the total 1,494 hectares are perfectly connected,’ he added. The water flow from the Jlantah Dam will supply irrigation needs in four sub-districts: Jatiyoso, Jumapolo, Jatipuro, and Jaten. Karanganyar Regent Rober Christanto welcomed the inauguration. He is optimistic that the dam’s presence will increase food productivity in his region. ‘We are very grateful. The Jlantah Dam will become a new oasis for the stability of the agricultural sector and the welfare of the people in Bumi Intanpari,’ concluded Rober.