Latest updates on the water situation in the Western Region

2023-06-22

The Upper Euphrates Basin Developing Centre at the University of Anbar continues to continuously monitor everything related to water resources within the Upper Euphrates basin using the latest meteorological technology represented by satellite images.

The Planning and Databases Department announced the latest updates for Habbaniyah Lake and a number of small dams in the Western desert, and the satellite images taken of Habbaniyah Lake on 16-5-2023 and on 15-6-2023 showed a decline in the lake's reservoir and a decline in water levels with a change in the color of the water to dark green, which raises fears that the lake will turn into something like a swamp for bilge water, the deterioration of water quality and the lake's environment, and the fear of the return of the scenario of fish deaths in the lake in 2018 as a result of the high concentrations of some Heavy elements and others and the need to move quickly to find solutions to this serious problem, as the centre directed the laboratory unit to take samples of water and conduct laboratory tests to find out the levels of pollution in it.

As for the Rutba Dam, storage levels are still good, but their impact on evaporation was evident by comparing the images taken on June 3,8,13, 2023, which calls for efforts to establish projects to invest this water, especially in the city of Rutba.

As for the Husseiniya Dam, during the period 8-13 June 2023, its impact is very clear with evaporation and loss of water from the dam's stocks, and the same is true for the Rahaliya Dam, which also adds water consumption by the areas near the dam, where it was very clear that its water reserves decreased.

While the Shabija Dam has completely lost its water reserves, and this can be seen from the photos taken on 31-5-2023 and 8-6-2023, while the White Dam still maintains relatively good levels and reserves of water.

As for the Haditha Dam, there are no major changes to the water storage from the previous position as a result of the high keenness to balance between revenues and releases and the success of the dam management in this area.

The Upper Euphrates Basin Developing Centre at the University of Anbar affirms its openness to all state institutions, researchers and local and international organizations operating in Iraq to cooperate in the field of studies and research that would find realistic solutions that can be implemented in the field of water resources management and investment, environmental studies and reducing the impact of climate change.

·        To view the satellite images of Habbaniyah Lake Click here.

·        To view the satellite images of the Rutba Dam Click here.

·        To view the satellite images of the Husseiniya Dam Click here.

·        To view the satellite images of the Rahalia Dam Click here.

·        To view the satellite images of the Shabija Dam Click here.

·        To view the satellite images of the White Dam Click here.

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