Dam Safety in Jordan: Factors Affecting Dam Safety, Responsibilities and Required Actions

Abstract

Dams in Jordan are exposed to a variety of natural and manmade threats like dams worldwide, but with some peculiar threats due to Jordan’s semi-arid climate, steep topography, tectonic activity, especially along the Jordan Rift Valley, position in the turbulent Middle East area, and weak socio-economic situ ation. In this study, the threats facing the main dams in Jordan are discussed and their sources are defined. The responsible agencies for reducing the threats and eliminating their sources are identified, as long as they are man made. Natural threats are dealt with as superimposed and Jordan has to adapt to them by taking the necessary protective measures. The study concludes that all dams in Jordan are threatened by climate change and siltation and hence reduction in storage. The quality of stored water in dams, which are used for supplying drinking water such as Al-Wehdah, Wadi Al-Arab, Ziglab, Al-Wala and to a certain extent Al-Mujib is threatened by pollution due to urbanization, agricultural and industrial activities. All dams in Jordan are exposed to sabotage threats, which may negatively affect dams’ water quantities and qualit y . The stability of dams due to engineering failures is observed in the cases of Al-Kafrain, the left abutment of Al-Mujib, the spillway of Wheidi and eventually Al-Wala Dam . The latter was raised based on unique construction technology. The study recommends developing and implementing, as soon as possible, rigorous action plans to eliminate or, minimize the impacts of threats facing dams in Jordan.