Water wheels

Water wheels spread 512 km over the banks of the immortal river, the Euphrates, within Al-Anbar Governorate .They are located at (Haditha), (Heet), (Al-Baghdadi),(Rawa) ,(old Ana) and (Al-Qaim), but most of these water wheels stopped because of water decrease in the Euphrates as a result of the construction of Al-Qadisiyah dam in addition to other factors.

The people of Al-Anbar have insisted on reviving the cultural heritage by operating 24 water wheels in Haditha by the land owners who happen to have those water wheels in their land. Six water wheels in n Barwana area, in addition to 3 more in (Heet) and in Al-Turba. Al-Shaghofa in Heet is the largest water wheel which carries seven wheels that irrigate large area.

 

Al-Baghdadi is a famous tourist destination, which is characterized with beautiful nature, palm groves, high mountains, and the magical Euphrates with the water wheels. Al-Baghdadi remains the main road breaks between Baghdad and Syria due to its location and its attractive nature.

Difference with Aleppo water wheels

     Yassin Khalil Jebara one of  Haditha archaeologist, confirms  that Al-Anbar western area water wheels are different from those of  Aleppo (Syria) since the later wheels are made from iron while the earlier are made of mulberry wood with 24 buckets represent the hours of the day. Several inhabitants share a water wheel and distribute water quantities according as per hours. In most cities of Al-Anbar, especially Haditha, there are water wheel manufacturers but they were largely affected by the decline of mulberry trees logging.