Brief Summary
This video provides a detailed explanation of water resources in Iraq, focusing on the sources of water, including rain, snow, surface water (rivers, lakes, and marshes), and groundwater. It specifically examines the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, detailing their sources, courses, tributaries, and significance. The lecture divides the rivers into regions for ease of memorization, explaining the geographical features and the importance of these water resources for agriculture and the overall economy.
- Water resources in Iraq are divided into rain/snow, surface water, and groundwater.
- The Tigris and Euphrates rivers are crucial surface water sources, with detailed explanations of their courses and tributaries.
- The lecture emphasizes the importance of these water resources for agriculture and economic stability in Iraq.
Introduction to Water Resources in Iraq
The lecture introduces the topic of water resources in Iraq, highlighting its historical name, Mesopotamia, due to the significance of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The discussion covers surface water and groundwater, emphasizing that Iraq is known for its abundant water resources, which are divided into three main sources: rain and snow, surface water (rivers, lakes, and marshes), and groundwater.
Rain and Snow
Rain and snow are major sources for feeding rivers and other water resources, crucial for agriculture. Rainfall varies by season and region, with most occurring in winter and spring, and is abundant in mountainous regions but less in central and southern areas. The rainfall in the central and southern regions is less than 250 ml, which is insufficient for agriculture, necessitating supplementation from the Euphrates and groundwater.
Surface Water
Surface water includes rivers and perennial flowing waters like the Tigris, Euphrates, and Shatt al-Arab, along with their branches, tributaries, seasonal valleys, and natural lakes. The quantities of surface water vary from season to season, increasing in spring (flood season) and decreasing in summer (rainy season). Surface water is defined as running water on the earth's surface.
The Tigris River: Source to Mouth
The Tigris River's course is divided into regions for easier memorization, starting from its source in southeastern Turkey, where it originates from the highlands. The river is 1900 meters long and has two main sources: the western source (Bat Masu) from the surrounding highlands and Lake Kulic, and the eastern source (Botan Su) from the highlands and Lake An. The meeting of Bat Masu and Botan Su forms the Tigris River.
Tigris River: Entering Iraq and Tributaries
The Tigris River enters Iraq at Fish Khabur, where it meets its first tributary, the Khabur River, which also springs from Turkish lands. South of Mosul, the Tigris meets the Great Zab River, its most important tributary, contributing about 33% of the Tigris's water. Further south, near Sharqat, it meets the Little Zab, which springs from Iranian lands and contributes 17% of the Zajla River's water.
Tigris River: Central Iraq and Baghdad
At the city of Balad, the Tigris enters the sedimentary plain area, where the river banks spread out. Near Dhulu in Salah al-Din, it meets the tributary Al-Azm, which springs from inside Iraqi lands. South of Baghdad, the Tigris meets its last tributary, which flows from Lake Abyan, with water coming from both Iranian and Iraqi lands.
Tigris River: Baghdad to Amara
The Tigris River, from north of Baghdad to Kut, is characterized by many windings due to the low slope of the land and slow water flow, leading to increased sedimentation and numerous islands. At the Kut Dam, the Tigris branches into two streams, Gharraf and Ad-Dajji, which irrigate agricultural lands between Wasit and Dhi Qar governorates. Near Amara, the river branches off into Al-Bira and Al-Majar Al-Kabir on its right bank, and Al-Mashra’ on its left bank.
Tigris River: Final Stretch and Key Features
After Amara, the Tigris's course is characterized by reduced water flow due to streams branching off and draining into marshes. Near Aziz al-Uzair, the river widens and is joined by the Suwayb River from the left. At Qurna, the Tigris meets the Euphrates to form the Shatt al-Arab. Key features include the Botan and Batman sources in Turkey, the Great Zab contributing 33% of the water, and the windings between Baghdad and Kut due to the low land slope.
Introduction to the Euphrates River
The Euphrates River is one of the largest and most important rivers in Western Asia, second only to the Nile in length among Arab rivers, and holds great economic and political significance. The course of the Euphrates is divided into regions for ease of memorization, including Turkish lands, Syria, and Anbar in Iraq.
Euphrates River: Source and Syrian Tributaries
The Euphrates River springs from the eastern highlands in Turkey, consisting of the Farasu and Maras sources, which meet at the city of Keban to form the Euphrates. The river flows southeast until it enters Syrian Arab lands near Jarablus. In Syria, the Euphrates is fed by the Sajur River in Aleppo Governorate, the Balikh River near Raqqa, and the Khabur River near Deir ez-Zor.
Euphrates River: Entering Iraq and Anbar
The Euphrates flows from Syria into Iraq, entering at the city of Hasib in the Qaim District, Anbar Governorate. Its deep course penetrates a large part of the western plateau, with many twists and turns in Qaim and ashes. The river enters the sedimentary plain near Ramadi and its course passes near Fallujah.
Euphrates River: Central Iraq and Hindiya Dam
The Euphrates' course in this region is higher than the Tigris, branching out into channels that irrigate agricultural lands near Al-Saqlawiyah, Abu Ghraib, Al-Yusufiyah, Al-Latifiyyah, Al-Iskandaria, and Al-Musayyab. At the Hindiya Dam, the Euphrates splits into two branches: Shatt Al-Hillah and Shatt Al-Hindiya.
Euphrates River: Shatt Al-Hillah and Shatt Al-Hindiya
Shatt Al-Hillah flows southeast, passing through Al-Hilla and Al-Hashem, then branches into Al-Daghara and Shatt Al-Diwaniyah. Shatt Al-Hindiya heads south, passing through Indian cities, and divides into Shatt Al-Kufa and Shatt al-Shamiyah, which meet at Al-Nafiyah and reunite at the Hindiya Dam.
Euphrates River: Final Branches and Shatt al-Arab
The Euphrates divides into Al-Atashan and Al-Sabil before Al-Khawl, near Souq al-Shuyukh in Al-Muthanna Governorate, where it branches into several streams known as the Dhu’ib al-Furat. These streams end in the donkey marsh, with two streams meeting the Tigris at Qurna to form the Shatt al-Arab. The total length of the Euphrates from Turkey to the Shatt al-Arab is 2940 kilometers.
Key Definitions and Conclusion
Key definitions include Fara and Kiban, highlighting the sources and meeting points of the Euphrates River. The lecture concludes by promising a discussion on the Shatt al-Arab and further water resources in the next video.
