Muscat: With the opening of Wadi Dayqah Dam, the channel downstream is abuzz with flowing water, singing birds and the laughter and loud talk of people busy putting up picnic tents on the banks of the valley.
The dam was opened to release about 15 million cubic metres of water. The aim of opening this canal is to recharge wells and other groundwater sources in Hail Al Ghaf and Daghmar villages. It will remain open until October 6, so that farmers can irrigate their crops amid the drought that this region witnessed during the past months.
Located near Muscat and about 90 kilometres from Wadi Adai, Wadi Dayqah is a tourist attraction known for its natural diversity.
According to the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, “About 120 wadis converge into its path, which stretches from the Wilayat of Dima W’attayeen in Al Sharqiyah North Governorate to its estuary in the Wilayat of Qurayat, Muscat Governorate. It is one of the year-round flowing wadis.”
Designed to secure Oman’s water supplies, Wadi Dayqah Dam is one of the largest on the Arabian Peninsula and a source of irrigation and protection for the surrounding villages, as it reduces the flash floods in the area.
“Set in the rugged limestone wadi (valley), this huge construction is a real contrast of natural Omani beauty and impressive human engineering,” said the ministry.
“Opened in 2012, the dam was built to collect the periodic rain fall from the high peaks above and control the volume of water flowing through the narrow torrent, ‘dayqah’, to the villages below. This still maintains the ancient aflaj irrigation system whilst controlling the surges of water rolling off the hillside. The dam is quite a spectacle for Oman and is by far the highest in the country. The lake is eight kilometres long and can hold 100 million cubic metres of rainwater.”
It consists of two dams: the main one is 75 metres (246 feet) high, and the secondary one is an earthen dam 48.5 metres (149 feet) high. The main dam includes a tower for water drainage.
A number of tourist facilities have recently been established on the site, including a public park and water activities such as rafting and kayaking.
The site includes a visitor’s centre built on a total area of 1,821 square metres, through which the visitor can view the dam and learn about the facilities.
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