MUSCAT: Dam maintenance is key to ensure that their ability to replenish groundwater reserves and protect communities and farms from the risk of floods. It also contributes to achieving sustainable development of water resources. The Sultanate of Oman places the sustainability of water resources at the forefront of its future priorities.
Engineer Hilal bin Said al Siyabi, Head of the Dams Operation and Maintenance Department at the Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, said that groundwater recharge dams are typically equipped with advanced devices for real-time flood monitoring which allows for determining the volume of water entering the dam reservoirs. This data also enables a precise comparison between the water retained behind the dam and the actual groundwater recharge reaching the aquifer, with the aim of verifying the effectiveness of the dams. The results obtained through periodic monitoring are a positive indicator highlighting the efficiency of dams in managing water resources.
In an interview with the newspaper, Al Siyabi said that a periodic assessment of dam safety was conducted in 2025 covering 24 dams. A topographic survey was carried out for 15 dams, and readings were taken from 132 monitoring wells to verify the safety of the dams and their facilities. It was found that they were operating at the required efficiency.
During the 2024-2025 period, the ministry also carried out maintenance on 59 dams at a total cost of RO 6,438,437. This included 5 dams in Muscat Governorate, 6 dams in Al Buraimi Governorate, 7 dams in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, 4 dams in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, 9 dams in Musandam Governorate, 10 dams in Al Dhahirah Governorate, 9 dams in South Al Batinah Governorate, 4 dams in North Al Batinah Governorate, 4 dams in Dhofar Governorate and one dam in South Al Sharqiyah Governorate. The maintenance operations involved removal of silt deposits from the dam reservoirs, constructing 23 monitoring rooms, installing 25 water level gauges in the dam reservoirs, installing 32 monitoring cameras, replacing 18 water discharge gates, in addition to lubricating, cleaning, and rehabilitation operations on 59 other gates. In addition, 12 information panels, 20 warning signs and 16 guidance signs were installed to boost dam effectiveness and ensure seamless operations, he said.
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