Ramadi Barrage Explained

Ramadi Barrage
Location Map:Iraq
Coordinates:33.4344°N 43.2653°W
Dam Crosses:Euphrates River
Location:Directly west of Ramadi, Al Anbar Governorate, Iraq
Operator:Ministry of Water Resources
Opening:1955

Ramadi Barrage is a two-section diversion dam on the Euphrates River adjacent (west) of Ramadi, Iraq. The main purpose of the northern barrage is to slow or stop water if needed, allowing it to be diverted through the southern barrage into a canal. The canal feeds water into Lake Habbaniyah to the southeast.[1]

The intent was to use water stored by the Ramadi Barrage and the Samarra Barrage for irrigation. However, evaporation on Lakes Habbaniyah and Tharthar led to reduced storage and high salinity, conditions unsuitable for irrigation.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Iraqi Dam Assessments. United States Army, Corps of Engineers. 27 February 2012. Iraq. 6 June 2003. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924001422/http://www.envirozan.info/EZ_Docs/Dams/D_Iraqi%20Dam%20Assessments.pdf. 24 September 2015.
  2. Web site: Managing Water For Peace: The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. United Nations University. 27 February 2012.