INVENTORY OF SHARED WATER RESOURCES IN WESTERN ASIA

INVENTORY OF SHARED WATER RESOURCES IN WESTERN ASIA

Federal Institute forGeosciences andNatural Resources

دراسة مسح الموارد المائية المشتركة في غربي آسيا


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AbOuT ThE INVENTORY

The Inventory of Shared Water Resources in Western Asia is the first uN-led effort to take stock of the region’s shared surface and groundwater resources in a comprehensive, systematic and standardized manner. For each of the shared freshwater bodies in the region, this groundbreaking work addresses key aspects of hydrology, hydrogeology and water resources development and use, and examines the status of international water agreements and cross-border management efforts. It covers all surface and groundwater resources shared between Arab countries in Western Asia and also includes data on water resources that are shared with Iran, Israel and Turkey. The Inventory makes an important contribution to the regional debate surrounding shared water resources, targeting a wide audience of experts from water, environment and other sectors, including decision makers, government representatives, academia, donors, specialized agencies, international and non-governmental/civil society organizations.

The Lesser Zab in bekhima, Iraq, 2005. Source: Ed Kashi/VII.

AbOuT ESCWA

The united Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is one of the five Regional Commissions of the united Nations Secretariat. ESCWA comprises Arab countries in Western Asia and North Africa: bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, the united Arab Emirates and Yemen.

AbOuT bGR

bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe (bGR) is the German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources. It is the central scientific authority providing advice to the Federal Government of Germany and to the private sector in all geo-related issues, such as energy and mineral resources, groundwater, soil, geo-hazards, disposal of radioactive waste, deep subsurface use and storage of CO2. bGR currently implements around 30 technical cooperation projects worldwide.

The ongoing cooperation project between ESCWA and bGR began in 2006 with the aim to enhance collaboration on shared water resources between ESCWA member countries. The project also promotes the integrated management and protection of water resources.


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WORK PROCESS

The Inventory is a desk study by the German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (bGR) and the united Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). A comprehensive review and process of consultation with experts and country representatives has enhanced the value of the study.

Information for the basin chapters was initially collected and summarized from ESCWA reports, regional literature, scientific publications, country papers, national and regional maps and data sets, satellite imagery, media reports and other grey literature. Subsequent consultation with authorities in ESCWA member countries (bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Yemen) aimed to improve and enrich basin chapter content through visits, regional workshops and tailored basin questionnaires. This process was facilitated by ESCWA’s inter-governmental Committee on Water Resources, which is composed of senior technical and managerial staff from all ESCWA member countries, and designated national contact points. Regional and international experts were also involved at various stages of the work process, to provide scientific guidance, ensure overall coherence, identify shortcomings and suggest additional sources of information.

Compilation of information

identification of Shared Basins in Western asia

ConSolidationrevieW & ConSultation puBliCation

SOURCES

- ESCWA reports- Regional literature- Scientific publications- Country papers- Media- National statistics- Maps- Satellite data

CORE INFORMATION/ BASIN CHAPTER

Table of basin/aquifer factsExecutive summaryOverview mapBasin description- Introduction- hydro(geo)logy- Water use- Agreements, cooperation & outlook

REVIEW PROCESS

InternalTechnical expertsMember countries:Focal points

THE INVENTORY

IntroductionMain findingsMethodologyBasin chaptersReferences

WorK in proGreSS: mapping the research and production process

While interest in the region’s shared water issues has grown in recent years, in-depth research and data collection has focused mainly on popular cases of dispute such as the Euphrates, Tigris, Nile and Jordan basins. however, even in these more frequently discussed cases, local conditions and problems are often overlooked and information sources such as maps and data series are outdated. Other basins, including most ‘hidden’ groundwater systems, have not been systematically assessed across borders.

bACKGROuNd

What do we aim to achieve with this inventory?

document the state of shared water resources and their use.

Improve the knowledge base and facilitate access to information on shared water resources.

Create awareness of the importance of shared water resources.

Stimulate an informed discussion in and between riparian countries.

Support regional processes towards improved dialogue and cooperation over shared water resources.

Wadi Rum, Jordan, 2010. Source: Anouk Pappers.


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Compiles information from a variety of sources and across sectors and national borders.

Comprehensive and inclusive on the regional scale; specific and detailed regarding local issues in shared sub-basins of large transboundary rivers.

Rich in visuals, with photos from remote areas in the region.

Includes in-depth sections on water quality, emphasizing the need for integrated water resources assessment.

breaks new ground in identifying, delineating and describing shared aquifer systems across national borders.

A user-friendly icon and colour-coding scheme guides readers through each chapter.

Comprehensive bibliographies for each chapter provide an entry point for further reading on shared river basins and aquifer systems.

FEATuRES

9 chapters on shared surface water basins and 18 chapters on shared aquifer systems follow a standardized structure and methodology.

More than 400 pages of detailed information with over 50 new maps and around 200 figures, tables and boxes.

developed in close consultation with ministries of water in ESCWA member countries and regional experts, thereby transcending traditional approaches to report preparation and desk studies.

descriptive and impartial, the outcome of a scientific process.

Provides an up-to-date view of the state and evolution of shared water resources with recent and comprehensive data series and solid trend analysis.


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SURFACE WATER CHAPTERGROUNDWATER CHAPTER

GeoGrapHYintroduCtion

River courseClimate

Population

LocationAreaClimatePopulationOther aquifers in the area Information sources

HYdroloGiCal CHaraCteriStiCSHYdroGeoloGY

Annual discharge variabilityFlow regime

Groundwater linkages

Aquifer configurationStratigraphyAquifer thicknessAquifer typeAquifer parameters

RechargeFlow regimeStoragedischargeWater qualityExploitability

Water reSourCeS manaGementGroundWater uSe

development and use Water quality &

environmental issues

Abstraction and useQuality issues Sustainability issues

aGreementS, Cooperation & outlooK

aGreementS, Cooperation & outlooK

List of agreementsCooperation between riparian

countriesOutlook

List of agreementsCooperation between riparian countriesOutlook

noteSnoteS

BiBlioGrapHYBiBlioGrapHY

WhAT dOES A bASIN ChAPTER LOOK LIKE?

Each chapter follows a set structure, introducing the basin through a list of facts and figures, a summary of key basin features and an overview map. Information presented in the main text is clearly organized, with chapters varying in length depending on the importance and availability of information. Each basin chapter concludes with a bibliography.

Many sections, especially ‘Geography/Introduction’, ‘Water use and development/Groundwater use’, and ‘Agreements, Cooperation & Outlook’ are written in a non-technical style that is accessible to a wide audience of interested readers. The hydrology/hydrogeology sections contain more complex scientific information, targeting a specialized audience of academics and technical experts.

A helpful series of icons allows readers to navigate between the different sections and identify passages of interest.


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CountrieSSHared river BaSinCHapter

Iraq, Syria, TurkeyEuphrates River basin1

Syria, TurkeyShared Tributaries of the Euphrates River2

Iran, Iraq, Syria, TurkeyTigris River basin3

Iran, Iraq, TurkeyShared Tributaries of the Tigris River4

Iran, IraqShatt al Arab, Karkheh and Karun Rivers5

Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria

Jordan River basin6

Lebanon, Syria, TurkeyOrontes River basin7

Lebanon, SyriaNahr el Kabir basin8

Syria, TurkeyQweik River basin9

WhICh ShAREd RIVER bASINS ARE COVEREd?

The dardara Falls on the Orontes in Lebanon, 2009. Source: Andreas Renck.

meS

op

ota

mia

ma

SHr

eK

Karun

Dez

Shatt

al Arab

KarunEuphrates

Tigris

Karkheh

Tib

GamasiabQarasou

Kashka

n

Karkheh

Sezer

Saymareh

Bakhtiari

Khersah

Vanak

KarkhehKarkhehsub-basinsub-basin

KarunKarunsub-basinsub-basin

Pe r s i a n

Gu

l f

I r a q

I r a n

K u w a i t

Meym

eh

Dwairej

Gang

irCha

ngoo

leh

Main Outfall Drain

DezKut

DiyalaHemrin

Karun-1Karun-3

Karun-4

Hindiya

Karkheh

Qeshlagh

NaderShah

Derbendikhan

Masjed Soleyman

Upper Gotvand(under construction)

Qom

Arak

Ilam

Ahvaz

Tehran

Kuwait

Kut

Semnan

Bushehr

Esfahan

Baghdad

Hamadan

Lordegan

An Najaf

Ba qubah

Sanandaj

Hamidiyeh

Qurnah

Basrah

Al-Hillah

As-Samawah

Amarah

Shahrekord

Kermanshah

Khorramabad

Khorramshahr

Nasiriyah

Ad Diwaniyah

Masjed Soleyman

As-Sulaymaniyah

52°E50°E48°E

34°N 34°N

32°N 32°N

30°N 30°N

0 50 100 15025km

Saudi Arabia

Turkey

Iraq

Iran

Azerbaijan

Jordan

Georgia

Syria

Armenia

Kuwait

Lebanon

Shatt al Arab, Karun, Karkheh

© UN-ESCWA - BGR Beirut 2012

Inventory of Shared Water Resources in Western AsiaDisclaimerThe boundaries and names shown and the designationsused on this map do not imply official endorsement oracceptance by the United Nations.

Intermittent river, wadiCapital Monitoring station

RiverCountry boundary Dam

Canal, irrigation tunnelSelected city, town Climate station

Basin boundary Freshwater lake

Main shared sub-basin boundary Wetland


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WhICh ShAREd AQuIFER SYSTEMS ARE COVEREd?

ar

aB

ian

pen

inSu

lam

aSH

reK

meS

op

ota

mia

CountrieSSHared aQuifer SYStemCHapter

Jordan, Saudi ArabiaSaq-Ram Aquifer System (West)10

Saudi Arabia, YemenWajid Aquifer System11

Saudi Arabia, YemenWasia-biyadh-Aruma Aquifer System (South): Tawila-Mahra/Cretaceaous Sands

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Iraq, Saudi ArabiaWasia-biyadh-Aruma Aquifer System (North): Sakaka-Rutba

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Oman, Saudi Arabia, united Arab Emirates, Yemen

umm er Radhuma-dammam Aquifer System (South): Rub’ al Khali

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Qatar, Saudi Arabia, united Arab Emirates

umm er Radhuma-dammam Aquifer System (Centre): Gulf

15

Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia

umm er Radhuma-dammam Aquifer System (North): Widyan-Salman

16

Jordan, Saudi ArabiaTawil Quaternary Aquifer System: Wadi Sirhan basin

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Lebanon, SyriaAnti-Lebanon Aquifer System18

Egypt, Israel, Palestine

Western Aquifer basin19

Egypt, Israel, Palestine

Coastal Aquifer basin20

Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria

basalt Aquifer System (West): Yarmouk basin21

Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria

basalt Aquifer System (South East): Azraq basin

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Iran, Iraq, TurkeyTaurus-Zagros: bekhme Pila Spi23

Syria, TurkeyJezira Tertiary Limestone Aquifer System24

Iraq, SyriaNeogene Aquifer System (North West), upper and Lower Fars: Jezira basin

25

Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia

Neogene Aquifer System (South East), dibdibba-Kuwait Group: dibdibba delta basin

26

Iran, IraqNeogene Aquifer System (East), bai hassan Mukdadia

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º

º

º

º

º

!H

!H

!H

Disi

Madaba

Karak

Jerusalem

Tafilah

Isawiyah

Disi

Azraq

Tayma

Aqaba

PetraMa'an

Amman

Irbid

Dar'a

Tabuk

Turaif

Al Ula

Sakaka

Quweira

Damascus

Mudawwara

39°E36°E

33°N 33°N

30°N 30°N

27°N 27°N

Jordan

Saudi Arabia

Syria

0 70 140 21035km

Red S

e aAn Nafud Desert

Wadi S irhan Depress ion

DeadSea

A A'

Me

di t

er r

an

ea

nS

ea

Jord

an

Iraq

Azraq Area

Iran

Sudan

Saudi Arabia

Iraq

Iran

Yemen

Oman

Eritrea

Jordan

Syria

Israel

UAE

Kuwait

Cyprus

Lebanon

West Bank

Bahrain

RishaArea

WadiSirhanArea

Al JafrArea

JebelRum

Wadi Rum

Wad

i Ara

ba

Tabuk-Mudawwara-Disi Area

Inventory of Shared Water Resources in Western Asia

Saq Ram Aquifer System (West)

B

B'

WestBank

Israel

!H

Approximate boundary of exploitable area

A A'

Outcrop Area

Approximate subsurface extent of the aquifer

Zone of irrigation development

No drilling zone

Area of potential interest for cooperation

Water supplyº1 Quweira well field2 Dubaydib well field3 Mudawwara well field4 Tabuk well field5 Uyanah well field

Capital

Selected city, town

Country boundary

River

Intermittent river, wadi

Direction of groundwater flow

Freshwater lake

Canal

Approximate location of geological cross-section

Armistice demarcation line Dike

© ESCWA - BGR Beirut 2012

DisclaimerThe designations employed and the presentation of material on this map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Saltwater lake

A r a b i a n S h i e l d

1

23

4

5

LakeTiberias

R e d S e a

Nat

iona

lW

ater

Car

rier

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Read short summaries and key facts and figures for all shared basins and groundwater aquifers in Western Asia

download individual chapters and maps

browse the Inventory findings using the site’s innovative navigation and search features

Email: [email protected]

Visit our website www.waterinventory.org

ANDREAS RENCKbGR Project CoordinatorSustainable development and Productivity division, ESCWA

T: +961 1 978 557E: [email protected]

CAROL CHOUCHANI CHERFANEChief, Water Resources Section Sustainable development and Productivity division, ESCWA

T: +961 1 978 518E: [email protected]

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)PO box 11-8575, beirut, Lebanon

Design & Layout: Ghazal Lababidi

This project is funded by:

Documents

INVENTORY OF SHARED WATER RESOURCES IN WESTERN ASIA