Water and Dams Section is concerned about monitoring water resource and dams, Studies on development and conservation of water resources, controlling the consumption of groundwater from the wells, falajes and springs and studies on the surface water flow through the wadis. Studying suitable location for dams and breakers, Making specifications for drilling the observation wells as well as providing the required supervision .

Briefly the routine works executed are as follows

Dams

1. Monitoring and operation works of ten major dams in UAE and some of the breakers .
2. Specifying the required maintenance for the dams and quantity of silt to be removed from reservoir of the dams and preparing tender and contract documents with all specifications for such works .
3. Following the procedures for tendering and awarding contracts for studies, investigations and designs of dams projects and evaluation of tendered offers .
4. Supervision and follow up, reviewing and issuing consultants and contractors payments certificates for dams projects .

Groundwater

1. Monitoring of 176 observation wells spread all over the UAE.
2. Preparing specifications for observation wells as well as supervision.
3. Supervision on investigation and development of groundwater resources .
4. Licensing the drilling companies and issuing No Objection Certificates .
5. Evaluation studies for groundwater resources .

Hydrology

1. Monitoring surface water flow for 22 wadis .
2. Monitoring surface flow for 50 falajes .
3. Studies on wadi flows for dams, culverts to prevent flooding .
4. Maintenance of water level recorders installed in the wadis and wells.
5. Preparing yearly book for hydrology .

Dams Of Ministry Of Environment & Water

MOEW Constructs Dams in UAE to meet the increase in demand on water because of the Agricultural and economical developments in the country .

The main purposes of dams projects are as follows :

1. To increase groundwater recharge .
2. To improve water table and to stop seawater intrusion .
3. To make use of surface water in irrigation .
4. To conserve soil and farms from flooding .
5. To limit damages and losses from flooding .
6. To enhance soil characteristics for the farms by mixing it with dam's silted soil .
7. To meet the demand on domestic water in agricultural regions.

The following salient features of the listed dams built by MOEW:

• Ham Dam
• Wurayyah Dam
• Zikt Dam
• Basseirah Dam
• Bih Dam
• Idhn Dam
• Gulfa Dam
• Tawiyaeen Dam
• Hadf Dam

 Ham Dam

Wadi Ham is located in eastern agricultural region, the main objective of the project was to get benefit from surface water running to improve water table, stopping seawater intrusion, limiting damages and losses from flooding and enhance water quality.

 Wurayyah Dam

Wadi Wurayyah is located in eastern agricultural region, running from Masafi Mountains towards Gulf of Oman and the dam is about 9 Km from the coast on the Khor Fakan - Dibba road .

The main objective of the project was to get benefit from surface water running to the sea .

The Main dam height is 33 m, 367m is the length and 5.2 MCM is the reservoir capacity, in addition there are two breakers the first one about 2 Km downstream of main dam having 4 m height, 150 m length and 140,000 m3 capacity and the second one on wadi Al Khun which is about 8 Km from main dam and 6 Km from the coast, it has 4 m height, 75 m length and 30,000 m3 capacity .

 Zikt Dam

Wadi Zikt is located in eastern agricultural region, about 8 Km from Gulf of Oman, in addition three breakers storing about 500,000 m3 are existing downstream of the dam for the purpose of slowing down the flow from spillway .

 Basseirah Dam

Wadi Basseirah is located in northern agricultural region, running from Masafi Mountains passes Dibba town towards Gulf of Oman.

Bih Dam

Wadi Bih is located in northern agricultural region, the main objective of the project was to get benefit from surface water running to improve water table and to balance water consumption in the region .

 Idhn Dam

Wadi Idhn is located in northern agricultural region, the main objective of the project was to slow down the runoff and to improve water table downstream .

 Gulfa Dam

Wadi Gulfa is located in central agricultural region, the main objective of the project was to retard the runoff and to improve water table downstream .

 Tawiyaeen Dam

Wadi Tawiyaeen is located in northern agricultural region near Tawiyaeen village, the main objective of the project was to slow down the runoff which spreads in the gravel plain and goes waste by evaporation .

 Hadf Dam

Wadi Hadf is located in central agricultural region, the main objective of the project was to get benefit from surface water running to improve water table downstream .

Volume Of Water Stored in Some Of The DAMS in UAE, Since their construction (in million cubic meters)
click to view the table