For nearly a week, Wadi Dayqah dam has been filled with water from the recent rains much to the joy of tourists and photography enthusiasts. The dam, which is located in the village of Al Mazarie in Wilayat of Qurayat (90 km from Muscat) is the largest water project in the Sultanate with a maximum capacity of 100 million cubic metres. It is also a marvelous feat of engineering.
Wadi Dayqah dam is one of the largest on the Arabian Peninsula and a source of irrigation and offers flood protection for the surrounding villages.
Statistics indicate that this picturesque site attracts nearly half a million tourists annually, and the tourist traffic is growing, especially after the rains.
The dam provides water for drinking and farming to Muscat and nearby villages including Hail Al Ghaf and Dagmar. Within a week, approximately 17 million cubic metres of water was discharged for the purpose of groundwater recharge. The dam is divided into two sections over a wadi to impound rainwater. Next to the site is a recreational park and facilities including restrooms and restaurants.
The dam water feeds artesian wells and ‘aflaj’ that deliver water over long distances for drinking and irrigation, even when the temperature rises to 45 degrees Celsius.
The farmers expressed their joy and happiness over the authorities’ decision to release the dam water as it coincides with the harvest season of many local fruits like dates, mangoes and lemons. Citizens expect bumper crops of local farm produce this summer.
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