King Fahad Dam Explained

King Fahad Dam
Location Map:Saudi Arabia
Location Map Size:بط و وز
Coordinates:19.6963°N 42.4874°W
Country:Saudi Arabia
Location:Bisha, 'Asir Region
Purpose:Flood control, municipal water, irrigation, groundwater recharge
Construction Began:1986
Owner:Ministry of Water and Electricity
Dam Type:Gravity
Dam Crosses:Wadi Bisha
Dam Length:507m (1,663feet)
Dam Height Foundation:103m (338feet)
Dam Height Thalweg:68m (223feet)
Dam Width Crest:80m (260feet)
Dam Width Base:8m (26feet)
Spillway Type:Overflow
Spillway Capacity:5338m3/s
Res Capacity Total:325000000m2
Res Catchment:7600km2
Res Max Length:18km (11miles)

The King Fahad Dam, previously known as Bisha Dam, is a gravity dam on Wadi Bisha about 35km (22miles) south of Bisha in the 'Asir Region of southwestern Saudi Arabia. The dam has many purposes, such as serving flood control, supplying water to nearby localities, irrigation and groundwater recharge, along with fish supply. A water treatment plant was built in conjunction with the dam and it can supply up to 40000m2 of water to the city of Bisha a day. The dam was constructed between 1986 and 1997. It is named after King Fahad and is managed the Ministry of Water and Electricity. At 103m (338feet) in height, it was the tallest dam in the country until the 106m (348feet) Baysh Dam was completed in 2009. King Fahad's reservoir still has the largest storage capacity, at 325000000m2.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Alhamid. Abdulaziz A.. Achievements of the custodian of the two holy mosques in water sector, PSIPW. King Saud University. 27 March 2014. 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113716/http://faculty.ksu.edu.sa/alhamid/ce%20423%20handout/DAMS%20in%20KSA-alhamid.pdf. 4 March 2016. dead.