AMMAN — The
Ministry of Water and Irrigation is taking proactive
steps to tackle the ongoing challenge of sedimentation in dams and address the
anticipated decline in renewable surface water sources, as outlined in a
national strategy spanning 2023-2040.
Sediment accumulation in dams has
significantly reduced their storage capacity, with four major dams losing 27
percent of their original capacity by 2022.
اضافة اعلان
Currently, the
Kingdom maintains 13 dams with
a combined storage capacity of around 280 million cubic meters, primarily used
for irrigation. A consulting firm, in collaboration with the
Jordan Valley Authority, has recommended the construction of three new dams in southern
valleys, based on an initial study, Ammon News reported.
Increase dam capacityThe strategy emphasizes the need for specific
programs to combat sedimentation, which hinders surface water storage, and
highlights the potential operational disruptions caused by accumulated
sediments. To address these challenges, the
Ministry prioritizes increasing dam capacity through sediment control and, where feasible, raising dam heights.
A 15 percent decline due to climate change
The strategy also forecasts a 15 percent decline
in surface water flow and groundwater recharge by 2040 due to climate change.
This will impact groundwater recharge, reducing it to 240 million cubic meters
annually from the current 280 million cubic meters, and
decreasing surface water flow to 340 million cubic meters annually from the current 400 million
cubic meters.
Consequently, the water sector aims to
construct new desert dams, informed by comprehensive hydrological studies and
feasibility assessments, to safeguard and develop renewable surface water
sources.
In 2020, a significant decline in rainfall
limited dams to only 30 percent of their total storage capacity, affecting 92
percent of Jordan's regions, categorized as dry or semi-dry areas receiving
less than 200 mm of annual rainfall, according to the strategy.
Read more National news
Jordan News
.jpg)
.jpg)
