Abu Dhabi: Gates of three dams captured from summer rains in Central UAE last month were opened to quench dry lands in mid summer, said the Ministry of Environment and Water.
Gates were opened in dams located in the Wadi Shoka, Al Qushaish and Al Kassa in the central region, the ministry said on Thursday, following heavy to moderate summer rains in Ras Al Khaimah in July.
Sultan Bin Alwan Al Habsi, Assistant Undersecretary for Region sector, and Gareeb Obaid Al Mutawwa, Director of Central Region Department were om hand for the release of the water with officials from Ras Al Khaimah Public Works and Services Department and Al Maneei police station.
“The entire procedure is in accordance with the technical requirements, world-class standards, and the best international practices in opening water exits in dams and barriers, following floods and the accumulation of rainwater in the lakes. The practice of releasing water over the areas located ... can be beneficial in feeding water-bearing ground. This serves the strategic objective of the Ministry of Environment and Water in ensuring water security and preserving the environment as well as supporting its initiative of increasing the reach and sustainability of efficient rain water harvests and enhancing water inventory,” Alwan said.
According to the ministry, the Shoka Valley dam stored 275,000 cubic metres, while the Al Qushaish Valley dam accumulated 105,000 cubic metres and the Al Kassa dam collected 10,000 cubic metres in July.
The total estimated amount of rainwater from these dams was around 390,000 cubic metres, equivalent to 86 million gallons.
The UAE Ministry of Environment and Water’s operational plan for 2014-2016 includes an ambitious project to maintain and enhance the operational efficiency of dams and water installations in the UAE. The periodic maintenance of the dams, water channels and installations, including 101 dams, barriers and reservoirs under the supervision of the ministry, was completed in March 2014 in coordination with the UAE Ministry of Public Works. The ministry also completed the development and renovation of Falaj Philly to take advantage of the rainwater harvested in reservoirs Philly 2. The water is transferred from the Falaj channels to the Philly area.
In addition, the environment ministry has developed Falaj Al Mualla in Umm Al Quwain, leveraging the rainwater harvested in Falaj Al Mualla Lake and water transferred from Falaj channels to the heritage area to irrigate palm plantations.
The Ministry has taken the responsibility of developing over eight (8) new dams, barriers and lakes in the Sakamkam region in Al-Fujairah in order to preserve water resources and protect the region from floods.
