Trends and Future Challenges of Water Resources in the Tigris–Euphrates

Open Access 3 yr 3 . This means 1 − Discussions yr Sciences 3 1 Earth System Earth Hydrology and and Hydrology . 3 ; of which 0.5271 and 0.475 km 3 ) of incoming water from the two 3 for Euphrates. This implies the annual 1 , and S. Knutsson − 3 yr 3 14618 14617 , G. Sherwany for Tigris basin and for Euphrates 29.225 km 1 1 − from River Tigris and Euphrates respectively. An amount of yr 3 3 for Tigris and 0.245 km 1 − ), while water availability will decrease to 63.46 km 1 yr − 3 yr , N. A. Al-Ansari is supplied by its tributaries inside Iraq. The whole amount of water in the 3 1,2 3 This discussion paper is/has beenSciences under (HESS). review Please for refer the to journal the Hydrology corresponding and final Earth paper System in HESS if available. Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, LuleåUniversity University of of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research – KRG, Erbil, Iraq et al., 2013). Historically, water hadin played the a life vital of role human at the kind. dawn The of first the development first of civilization water resources and land goes back 72.069 km that the overall water shortage will be restricted to 8.61 km 1 Introduction Scarcity of water resourcessince in the the Middle last East century1994; is due Al-Ansari, one to 1998; of the Altinbilek, the 2004; increase most Word of important Bank, the 2006; problems demand Droogers et and al., climate 2012; changes Voss (Na tively. Iraq consumes annuallyrivers, 88.89 where % about (63.05 60.43 km tively. and Water demand 39.57 % increases annually are bywithin from 0.896 Tigris km Rivers and Tigris Euphrates basins and respectively. Theincrease Euphrates average water to respec- demand 42.844 in km 2020 will rivers in Iraq withate population the growth rate reality data ofdemand in the some in current of Iraq. situation itster and The part 45.4 future were results and used challenges showed 25.5218.04 to of km km evalu- that water availability Iraq and Euphrates receives Rivers comes annually outside the 70.29 km Iraqiis borders. 0.1335 km Annual decrease of thepercentage water reduction inflow of inflow rates for the two rivers is 0.294 and 0.960 % respec- Iraq is one ofMiddle East the region. riparian The regionincrease countries is of within currently the basins facing demand waterwater of shortage and flow Tigris–Euphrates problems climate due measurements Rivers changes. to for In in the 15 the the present stream study, flow average gaging monthly stations within basins of these Abstract 1 Technology, Lulea, Sweden 2 3 Received: 12 November 2013 – Accepted: 13Correspondence November to: 2013 N. – A. Published: Al-Ansari 3 ([email protected]) December and 2013 Published I. by E. Copernicus Issa Publications ([email protected]) on behalf of the European Geosciences Union. Trends and future challenges ofresources water in the Tigris–Euphrates Rivers basin in Iraq I. E. Issa Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. Discuss.,www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci-discuss.net/10/14617/2013/ 10, 14617–14644, 2013 doi:10.5194/hessd-10-14617-2013 © Author(s) 2013. CC Attribution 3.0 License. 5 25 15 20 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | of 2 which is three times more than the overall 3 14620 14619 of water per year. This indicates that the water shortage will be 3 during 2003 to 2009 (Voss et al., 2013). The reduction of flow in the 3 of which 22 % due to climate change and 78 % to changes in population 1 − erent uses, infiltration and evaporation loses as well. of water per year after completion (Altinbilek, 2004; Al-Ansari and Knutsson, ff yr 3 3 In addition, recent studies indicated that there will be more increase in the water de- In 1977, the Turkish Government started to utilize the water of the Tigris and Eu- In the modern history, Iraq until 1970s was considered rich in its water resources due Iraq started in 1950 planning for the construction of irrigation and flood control sys- The Tigris and the Euphratesern Rivers Asia. are the The two rivers important originate and from greatest the rivers of same west- region in Turkey about 30 km from each gion of Iraq beyond the gagingin stations. the The calculations water discharge due measurements to weredue the used fact to that di it takes into consideration the water consumption 2 Study area 2.1 Hydrology of Tigris–Euphrates Rivers basins Euphrates rivers basin withinsituation Iraq. (availability In and the demand)applied present was for study evaluated that the using purpose15 current a was stream and the new flow future use method. gaging water of The stationsgrowth monthly data on method with the water annual Tigris–Euphrates discharges water Rivers measurements consumption inside for per Iraq. Population capita were used for the southern re- 193 km growth and economic developmentstudies factors on (Droogers the et Tigris–Euphrates Western al.,nearly Iran 2012). 144 region km Furthermore, show a the Tigris total and groundwater Euphrates loss Rivers of severe in negative Iraq consequences is on considered health,velopment to environmental, (Altinbilek, be industrial 2004; a and Al-Ansari national economic andof crisis de- Knutsson, the and 2011; above, will Voss it et have became al., 2013). necessary In to view know the water resources trends in the Tigris– 22.5 km 2011; Al-Ansari, 2013). mand in the Middle Eastreach and up North to Africa 393 km (MENA region). In 2050, water demand will in 1997 and one in 1998). The irrigation projects within the GAP will consume about Eight of these dams are to be constructed on the River Tigris, only three were built (two period of the developmentto of the Iraq’s water first systems. Gulf Theto War process and the stopped UN end in sanctions. ofsituation. 1990 Through Table due the 1 the summarizes last twentieth the fifty century, hydraulic years structures there period, on was the from Tigris–Euphrates a 1960 phrates Rivers. Rivers change through in the South-eastern the22 Anatolia multipurpose supply Project dams (GAP). and and The 19 project demand hydraulicland includes power with plants which a are total to storage irrigatecapacity capacity 17 of of 103 Iraq km 100 and km Syrian reservoirs (Al-Ansari and Knutsson, 2011; Al-Ansari, 2013). to the presence ofstarted the to Tigris build and dams Euphrates onimpounding the rivers. Euphrates of In River some mid-seventies therefore, its Syria of flow2013). and the decreased This Turkey new due to reservoirs fact water (Al-Ansari forcedcan and from the the Knutsson, Iraqi planned 2011; hydrological Government Al-Ansari, projects. to For this speed reason, up 1970 to building 1990 as was the much best as they (Dokan) was constructed inconstruction 1959 of on other the projectspower Lesser where generation Zab River. purposes. many This dams Inphrates was were addition, to followed control constructed a by its system for the Lake. flood. irrigation was This Other established and system systems on includesTharthar the Ramadi on project barrage River and the and the Eu- Samarra Tigris theWater dam Habbaniye Resources, were River 2013). constructed included (UNEP, 2001; Iraqi regulators, Ministry of canal systems, Lake the Mesopotamian. The Sumerians andirrigate Babylonians their used fields water and of cities Euphrates by River systems to of canalstems (Altinbilek, 2004). by the Boardto of protect Development Baghdad, created the capital, by and the other Kingdom major of cities Iraq. from flooding. Primarily; The it first was big dam to the beginning of 5500 BC in the basin of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers known as 5 5 25 15 20 10 25 15 20 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | 3 ff erences ff . During its 1 − yr C in January to 3 ◦ the final limestone ff 14622 14621 (Biedler, 2004; Al-Ansari and Knutsson, 2011). 1 − yr 3 (Al-Ansari and Knutsson, 2011). The annual hydrograph for 3 which is shared by Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran (Table 3). The total length 2 C in July but the temperatures decrease towards the north (Al-Ansari and Knutsson, ◦ The mean annual flow of the Tigris River at Mosul city prior to 1984 was 22.2 km the Tigris from Turkey before itpassage in enters Iraq Iraq the is river rangingof receives from from water 20 all that to of reaches 23 the 25 km The above to tributaries most 29 an significant km additional features amount of the River Tigris basin areand given dropped in to Table 3. 17.7 km Tigris River starts fromtakes October place during to April September. and The the highest driest mean month is monthly generally discharge September (Fig. 2). velocity. The width of thebefore Mosul river dam valley construction (flood ranged375 plain) from 000 km 2 north to of 10 km. Mosulof The city river the to drains river Faish an is Khabur arearemainder about about lies 1862 in km; Iraq. only According 21 to % most of of the previous length studies; the of mean the annual Tigris flow lies of in Turkey and 400 km from the mainmajor sources tributaries (Al-Ansari feed and the Knutsson, TigrisIraq 2011; River from Al-Ansari, which the 2013). are left Eight bank Batman,(partly three Garzan in beginning and Turkey before in entering Botanutaries Turkey), and lesser in five Zab, Iraq in Uzaym flow Iraqthe and down main are Diyala from river Khabur, rivers before the GreaterKnutsson, Baghdad (Fig. north Zab 2011). city 1). The east (Najib, channel The of 1980; ofarea, Al-Ansari Iraq trib- the but after et (Zagros Tigris it al., River Mountains) joins is 1986; the and shallow Batman Al-Ansari tributary join and and it wide to becomes in a the narrow and Diyarbakir deep river with high of Jazar Golu in Turkey;flows 30 in km the from hilly the regionsconnecting upper located catchment Turkey, Iran to of the and the south Iraq.Mesopotamian Euphrates. western The The Plain portion River River of with Tigris the only flowsder. mountainous The a directly area River towards small crosses Iraq part the and Iraqi that the border is at parallel Faish alongside Khabur village the which Syrian is bor- located about reaches 3500 m. The headwaters of the Tigris River begin in the small mountain lake River is Hazar Lake (elevationgion 1150 of ma.s.l.), Turkey. The which lake is is located surrounded in by the the south Taurus eastern mountain re- chain where its height 34 2011; Al-Ansari, 2013). Thethat flow occur during discharges winter vary anding to summer spring 10 and due part to times of thecountries between autumn. rain in flood Table the and 2 season rivers snow shows basins. melt the and details dry of period contributions2.2 dur- for riparian River Tigris River Tigris is the second-largest river in western Asia. The main source for the Tigris 2011). The heaviest precipitation occursmelting from begins December in to February. FebruaryMay Generally, snow or causing early higher June). discharges Lowmer water during months discharges spring are (July usually flows to duringis (March October). the groundwater. During to The hotter this and average period drier monthly sum- temperatures the range main between source 6 of the rivers runo and Iraq. The rivers firstly lookplateau separate and and then onto parallel, until the fallmay o great be plain regarded of as being Mesopotamia.due similar The to to climate a the of Mediterranean presenceritory. the climate of The except catchment a some climate area di mountainous is region ataking hot-dry which place summer is in and the locatedbetween cold-rainy mountain within October winter region. the and with The Turkish May. occasional ter- The precipitationbasin snowfall annual in ranges precipitation Mesopotamian between over basin the 100 occurs Tigris–Euphrates and Rivers 1000 mm annually (Fig. 1) (Al-Ansari and Knutsson, of high mountains anda deep wide, flat, gorges. hot, From andhundreds there, of poorly the kilometres drained apart two plain. and In join rivershead together their of flow near the middle Qarmat Gulf, separately path, forming Ali onto the the aboutacterized Shatt 160 twin al-Arab km by (Fig. Rivers above the 1). the diverge The rock upper and basin of mountain the gorges rivers is of char- Anatolia and the high plateaux of Syria other. The region is characterized by its cool and humid climate with a rugged land 5 5 25 15 20 10 25 20 10 15 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | annual wa- 1 − yr ) and 4 stations 3 11 and TS 8 , TS 6 , TS 3 ) (Fig. 5). The data of these stations were 4 14624 14623 and ES 3 (Al-Ansari et al., 1981, 1988). In Iraq, 360 km from the , ES 2 1 − yr , ES 3 1 The most significant features of the Euphrates River at Hit city for the period 1932– downstream the River Tigris while it oscillates downstream the River Euphrates. This were analyzed and used toincreasing estimate of the the average demand annual asreduction reduction well in as in the the the consequences inflow inflow; of duestations climate the to have change. average been To compute monthly adopted dischargeon on River of River Euphrates 4 Tigris (ES main (TS used stream to flow develop gaging thewith Trend lines time (Table that 6). The were resultsis used showed to increasing that estimate the with percentage the time reduction annual for in flow the Tigris–Euphrates reduction inflow Rivers. rate The reduction steadily increases 4 Results and discussion 4.1 Water availability The water discharge data for stream flow gaging stations that mentioned previously the River Tigris (TS) andTable 5). its The data tributaries of and these stations 4(2010). were on In adopted from the addition Al-Shahrabaly River the (1989) Euphrates and(Al-Kut, population Saleh Al-Amarah, (ES) growth An-Nasiriyah (Fig. data and 1 Al-Basra, for Fig. and ter 4 4) consumption governorates having per in 2616 capita, m the werepopulation southern used growth part to data estimate the wasper water provided demand capita by in estimated City that by Population FAO area. (2013). (2013) The and water withdrawal The water discharges data aredemand. very For important these togaging study purposes; stations the the within potential Tigris–Euphrates averages water Riversreduction supply monthly basin in and in discharges water Iraq availability for were and used 15 increasing to water evaluate stream demand. the flow These stations are 11 on 3 Data and methodology used ern parts of Iraqwithin Iraqi for territories. irrigation The purposes.of river, near No which Nasiriyah, tributary drain becomes contributes into aQurna water (Fig. tangle the 1). of into shallow The channels, the Euphrates lake some Euphrates has river of basin a tabulated very Hammar in gentle as Table gradient 4. in the Iraq. remainder The characteristics joins of 1997 the illustrate Tigris in Fig. at 3. the order of 28border, to the 30 km river reaches53 a ma.s.l. giant From that alluvial pointing delta onward, part the at of river Ramadi its traverses waters the whereand into deserted the a man-made. regions series elevation of Euphrates of is Iraq, desert has los- only depressions number and of distributaries, both small natural tributaries in the central and south- Elazia city; within thissource. The region River its flows snow southward2 to m melt 160 per km from kilometre of mountain before themost it streams Mediterranean straight turns towards with is Shatt left average Al-Arab its into slope River (Altinbilek, Syria mainKnutsson, 2004; to 2011; water Biedler, continue 2004; Al-Ansari, Al-Ansari in and 2013). alis, After south-east within direction, the Syrian al- river territories entersthe by the Khabur two Syria’s Rivers small borders that tributaries(Fig. at contribute join 1). Jarab- with the Euphrates river. small They enters amount are Iraq of Balikh water at and to Hasaibah. the Its Euphrates annual River flow at the Iraqi border is of Euphrates is the longestthe river in Euphrates western are Asia. locatedMount The in majority Ararat of the at the Turkish heightsfrom water territories of two resources of of around tributaries, Anatolia. 4500 the m The Murat-Su near river and Lake rises the Van, near Kara-Sue the (or Euphrates Frat-Sue). is They formed meet near 2.3 River Euphrates 5 5 20 15 10 25 15 20 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | , 1 1 5 − − and and yr yr ) de- 3 3 2 4 , TS 11 4 ) on the for Tigris 1 , RE 1 1 , TS − (44.06 and 2 and RE yr . This implies 1 1 3 3 − , RE − 3 , TS yr of which are 45.4 yr 1 3 3 while Iraq receives 1 , RE − 2 1 , RT 2 − yr 3 yr for Tigris and Euphrates down stations TS , RE 3 1 1 , RT 4 respectively). On the con- − 1 1 yr − 3 yr 3 and RE 4 from Turkey before entering Iraq and 3 (0.5271 for and 0.475 km 1 . Water shortages will be of 9.83 km − 1 − yr 3 yr 14626 14625 (Table 8). The calculations results for all zones 3 1 − yr 3 (Table 9). These figures are calculated assuming that there is supplied by tributaries of River Tigris inside Iraq. The rate for Tigris and Euphrates Rivers respectively. The overall an- 1 which is less than Euphrates by 0.245 km of water form Tigris and Euphrates respectively. River Tigris − ) and 4 on the Euphrates basin (RE 1 1 . The demand is shared by the two river basins where it reaches 1 4 − 3 − yr 1 − 3 yr yr − yr ) of the River Tigris and its tributaries as well as (ES 3 3 for Tigris and Euphrates Rivers respectively. Iraq receives annually yr 3 10 3 1 for Tigris and Euphrates 29.225 km − and RT 1 for Tigris and Euphrates respectively). The total water deficit of Tigris– from River Tigris this represents 39.73 % of Tigris inflow in Iraq and the yr − 3 3 1 1 yr − − 3 from its tributaries inside Iraq. The annual reduction of water inflow for River and TS erence rates in the water inflow of the successive stations that represents yr yr , RT ff 3 3 3 2 9 , RT respectively) were estimated using population growth data (Fig. 4) and water with- ). The Trend lines of the above relations showed the demand increased with time , TS 1 3 4 erence in the inflows for successive stream flow gaging stations on the Tigris– 7 The potential water demand was compared with previous studies of Kliot (1994), Ko- To find out the reduction of flow of water entering Iraq from neighbouring countries, ff 18.04 km remainder 27.36 km 5 Summary and conclusion The averages monthly inflowand for Euphrates 15 inside stream Iraqduction. flow were Furthermore, gaging used these stations to data on estimateper with capita the water population were Rivers growth availability used to Tigris data and computethe and its the total water demand rate water consumption and of its availability increase. re- inand The 25.52 Iraq results km from showed that these rivers is 70.92 km a surplus of 1.221 km will be no dams constructedthe on water both availability rivers after in 2015 future.respectively will In (UN, be case 2010). 9.16 these In are and addition, considered 8.45 km restoring then the marshes was not considered. total incoming water (60.43 and 39.57 % for Rivers Tigrislars and (1994), Euphrates respectively). Altinbilek (1997),showed Beaumont that (1998) the and average water UN demand(42.844 km (2010) in Iraq (Table 9). in 2020 Thetrary, will results increase the to 72.069 km amount19.40 km of availableEuphrates Rivers water basin will will beon 8.61 the decrease km Euphrates River to basin at 63.46 2020. km On the contrary the Tigris River will experience showed that the averageannually yearly 70.92 demand km for Iraq38.10 is and 63.05 km 24.95 km nual increase of the demandand is 0.896 Euphrates km basins respectively). This implies that the consumption is 88.89 % of ES drawal per capita for Iraq 2616 m complete the calculations the(RT basin was dividedpending into on 8 the location zones,annual of 4 di stream on flow-gaging the stationsthe Tigris (Table annual 8). basin water Figure demand (water 6RE consumed) shows for the zones (RT and the annual increasingThe rates demand of details demand for for the these remainder zones zones are (RT tabulated in Table 8. The demand increases duemental population considerations. growth, In economic thisdi development study and the environ- waterEuphrates demand Rivers. In for some Iraq partsrates was it with computed was annual computed using water depending withdrawal on per the capita population due growth to the lack of discharge records. To ally 45.4 and 25.52 km receives its water from27.36 two km sources, 18.04 km Tigris is 0.1335 km the annual percentage reduction0.294 and of 0.960 % inflow respectively. rates for Rivers4.2 Tigris and Euphrates Water are demand the River Euphrates to overcome the water shortage downstream (Al-Ansari,the 1998). Trend lines ofTS average monthly discharge dataRiver for Euphrates stations were (TS used (Table 7). The results revealed that Iraq receives annu- is due to the fact that some water is diverted from Thrathar depression inside Iraq to 5 5 20 25 15 10 25 15 20 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | . 1 1 − − yr yr 3 3 is for the Eu- http://www.mowr. 1 − yr , 2012. 3 and the demand will 1 − yr 3 for Euphrates basin). In ad- 1 − (0.294 %) which is less than Eu- yr 1 3 − http://www.citypopulation.de/Iraq.html# yr 3 10.5194/hess-16-3101-2012 , 2013. 14628 14627 http://www.fao.org/nr/water/aquastat/data/cf/readPdf.html? . 1 − , CERIS, 1–44, 2004. yr (0.961 %) The average water demand in Iraq is 63.05 km 3 1 is for the River Tigris basin and 24.95 km − The research presented has been financially supported by Luleå Univer- 1 , last access: 15 July 2013. yr − 3 for Tigris River basin and 0.475 km 10.4236/eng.2013.58080 yr 1 3 − , last access: 14 September 2013. www.ceris.be yr 3 , last access: 25 June 2013. CF_IRQ_en.pdf , T.: Conflict and water use in the Middle East, in: Water in the Arab World: Perspectives and = ff and Euphrates River Basins, Iraq,154 pp., Data 2010. series 540, US Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia, University of Mosul, 94 pp., 1980. tional Water of MiddleSeries East 2, edited from by: Euphrates–Tigris Biswas, A. to K., Nile, Oxford Water University Resources Press,Prognoses, Oxford, edited Management 45–94, by: Rogers, 1994. P. and1994. Lydon, P., Harvard University Press, Boston, 253–284, erations – InteractiveStadt_alpha Maps – Charts, available at: and Debele, B.: Water resourcesdrol. Earth trends Syst. in Sci., Middle 16, East 3101–3114, and doi: North Africa towards 2050, Hy- Tigris–Euphrates Rivers, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Baghdad, Iraq, 119 pp., 1989. Develop., 20, 15–33, 2004. ern water management policies, Yale SchoolSeries, of 103, Forestry 168–186, and 1998. 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E.: Characteristics of Tigris River at Mosul, M.Sc. thesis, College of Engineering, Na City Population: Population Statistics for Countries, Administrative Areas, Cities and Agglom- Kolars, J.: Problems of international river management: the case of the Euphrates, in: Interna- Droogers, P.,Immerzeel, W. W., Terink, W., Hoogeveen, J., Bierkens, M. F. P.,van Beek, L. P.H., FAO: Country Fact Sheet, AQUASTAT Survey Iraq, Food andIraqi Ministry of Agriculture Water Resources: Organization Water Resources, Mosul of dam, available at: Kliot, N.: Water Resources and Conflict in the Middle-East, Routledge, London, 1994. Beaumont, P.: Restructuring of water usage in the Tigris–Euphrates basin: the impact ofBiedler, mod- M.: Hydropolitics of the Tigris–Euphrates River basin with implications for the European Al-Shahrabaly, K. M.: Rivers water discharges passing in the main gaging-stations on the Altinbilek, D.: Development and management of the Euphrates–Tigris basin, J. Water Resour. Al-Ansari, N. A., Assad, N., Walling, D. E., and Hussan, S. A.: The suspended sediment dis- Altinbilek, D.: Water and land resources development in south eastern Turkey, J. Water Resour. Al-Ansari, N. A., Sayfy, A., Al-Sinawi, G. T., and Ovanessian, A. A.: Evaluation of the water Al-Ansari, N. A., Barazanji, A., Al-Jabari, M., and Gayara, A.: Geological Investigation of Mosul Al-Ansari, N. A.: Management of water resources in Iraq: perspectivesAl-Ansari, and N. prognoses, A. J. and Eng., Knutsson, S.: Toward prudent management of water resources in Iraq, J. Al-Ansari, N. A.: Water Resources in the Arab Countries: Problems and Possible Solutions, References Acknowledgements. sity of Technology, SwedenSwedish and Energy by Agency, “Swedish Elforsk and Hydropowernology, Svenska Centre The Kraftnät – together Royal SVC” with InstituteUniversity. Luleå Their established of University support by of is Technology, the Tech- highly Chalmers appreciated. University of Technology and Uppsala 5 5 30 25 15 10 20 25 20 15 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | , ) (MW) 2 ) (km 3 (m) (km 14630 14629 Data of Storage Water http://iq.one.un.org/documents/100/white%20paper-eng_ Major dams in the River Tigris basin http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2006/06/7269106/ Major dams in the River Euphrates basin , 2013. , last access: 25 September 2013, United Nations Country Team in Iraq, 20 pp., The constructed dams in the basin of the Tigris–Euphrates Rivers. 10.1002/wrcr.20078 BatmanDevegecidiCag-cagDicleGoksuKralkiziAl-Adheem Turkey TurkeyDerbendikhan (Diyala) I HP,IDibbis Turkey Iraq (L. Zab)Diyala HP,FDDokan (L. Turkey Zab) 1998 I TurkeyHamrin Iraq (Diyala) 1968 Turkey 1972 HP,IMosul I Iraq HPSamarra-Tharthar HP,I 71Dez Iraq 1997 Iraq I 1961Karkheh 33 Iraq IraqKarun 1997 1991 1999 1.18 HP,IMarun I, FC 0.2 75 FD, 128 I, I HP 49.2 1965 Iraq 1959 1956 113 46 –Ataturk 1981 3 0.60 32.1Birecik Iran HP,I,FC 1.92 IranKarakaya 0.06 22 1969 1.5 116.5 198 24Karkamis 1986 – Iran 40 HP,I,FC 114 IranKeban 57.5 6.8 HP,I – 3.9 0.05Baath 2001 HP,I – 3.56 72.8Tabaqa 12 113 HP,I TurkeyTishrine 1962 270 32 110 Turkey Turkey 14 Upper HP, 90 I – Khabur 1977 450 2170 11.1 128 – TurkeyAl HP HP, 1998 – Hindiyah IHaditha HP, FC 203 7.8 1992 – Turkey 380Fallujah 400 200 2000 – Ramadi-Habbaniyah 1999 Syria – 87 HP Syria 1987 Syria 3.46 50 165Ramadi Raazza Syria – Iraq 3.14 HP, 166 I, Iraq I FC HP, I 1.2 – 750 53 HP 1975 21 1988 158 FC 48.7 54.8 Iraq Iraq FD 1975 – Iraq 25 9.58 1.22 0.16 1992 1999 400 817 163 HP,I – FC 1956 I 1913(1989) 520 1000 268 56.3 28.4 60 31 – 1988 0.09 – 40 145 1951 – 2400 11.7 1985 – 675 672 27.2 189 1800 1.9 0.99 57 610 – 3.3 1.4 166 – 8.2 – 1330 75 426 26 800 – 503 630 – 1810 – – – 660 – – Name of dam Country Use operation Height capacity surface area Hydropower HP: hydropower; I: irrigation; FC: flood control; FD: flow division. Source: UNEP (2001); Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources (2013). dressingavailable Majoriraq-country-water-resource-assistance-strategy-addressing-major-threats-peoples-livelihoods Threats to at: People’s Livelihoods, Report No. 36297-IQ, depletion in the Middleagement East in from the GRACE with Tigris–Euphratesdoi: implications Western for Iran trans region, boundary Water water Resour. man- Res., 49, 904–914, last access: 25 September 2013, World Bank, Washington, D.C., 97 pp., 2006. 2010. Mission forSmall.pdf Iraq, available at: ment Technical Report no. 3, UNEP/DEWA/TR.01–3, UNEP, Geneva, 58 pp., 2001. Table 1. World Bank: Iraq: Country Water Resources, Assistance Strategy: Ad- Voss, K. A., Famiglietti, J. S., Lo, M., Linage, C., Rodell, M., and Swenson, S. C.: Groundwater United Nations, UN: Water Resources Management White Paper, United Nations Assistance UNEP: The Mesopotamian Marshlands: Demise of an Ecosystem, Early Warning and Assess- 5 10 15 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | 14632 14631 ) 45 000 292 000 1000 37 000 375 000 ) 33.5 6.8 0.0 11.2 51.5 2 1 − ) 170 000 469 000 77 000 37 000 819 000 ) 65.7 6.8 0.5 11.2 84.2 ) 24 270 40 000 9500 – 73 700 2 yr 1 2 − 3 yr 3 Tigris RiverDischarge (km Discharge (%)Drainage Area (km TurkeyDrainage Area (%) IraqRiver Length (km) 65.0River 12.0 Length (%) Syria 13.2 400 54.0 Iran 21.0 1318 0.0 Total 0.2 77.0 21.8 44 33.8 2.0 100 – 100 – 1862 100 Source: UNEP (2001); Biedler (2004). Irrigable lands (%) 33 54.2 12.8 100 Tigris–Euphrates Rivers TurkeyDischarge (km IraqDischarge (%)Drainage Area (km Drainage Area Syria (%)Rivers Length (km) IranRivers Length (%) 78.1Irrigable lands 20.5 (km Total 1630 8.1 33.5 46.0 2478 0.5 51.0 9.0 754 13.3 15.5 19.0 – 100 – 94.5 4862 100 Characteristics of the Tigris Rivers basin. The contributions in the Tigris–Euphrates Rivers basin for riparian countries. Source: UNEP (2001); Biedler (2004). Table 3. Table 2. Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | ) 3 ) inflow (km 1 − s 3 14634 14633 ) Period of record Discharge (m – Dec 1940 Mar 2005 219.89 495.30 0.00 6.934 2 3500 Nov 1958 Sep 1989 63.84 413.20 4.37 2.013 9840 Oct 1945 Sep 1997 25.48 423.90 0.00 0.803 46 700 Jan 1958 Sep 1975 666.42 3040 54.40 21.016 54 900 Oct 1931 Sep 2011 569.75 3514 87.70 17.96 20 50015 600 Jan 1932 Nov 1931 Sep 2004 Sep 2004 401 221.53 1270 1781 19.8 33.80 12.646 6.986 29 700 Jan 1930 Sep 1991 180.12 1497 29.50 5.68 area up yearly 107 600 Apr 1931 Mar 2005 1295.94 6988 200 40.87 134 000 Mar 1930 Sep 2009 979.26 5233 170.7 30.882 166 200205 000 Oct 1931 Oct 1973 Sep 2005 Sep 1997 815.50 708.30 5792 2760 65.30 25.72 85.00 22.34 264 100274 100 Oct 1932 Oct 1932 May 1997 Sep 1999 802 551.62 3382 5797 38.3 71.5 17.4 25.292 325 000 Oct 1950 Sep 1988 430 1810 29 13.5 ) 125 000 177 000 76 000 444 000 ) 32.2 0.0 0.5 32.7 2 1 Catchment Average − yr 3 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 03 00 52 35 00 32 02 25 00 38 14 01 01 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 23 41 49 39 08 29 31 20 42 47 50 00 50 16 14 ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ 42 42 42 43 44 43 44 44 45 45 45 41 42 44 46 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 57 00 41 45 00 34 01 55 00 20 23 01 01 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 04 08 37 16 45 55 30 24 06 31 29 25 36 43 03 ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Euphrates RiverDischarge (km Discharge (%) TurkeyDrainage Area (km IraqDrainage Area (%)River Length (km) 98.5 SyriaRiver 28.0 Length (%) 1230 Total 0.0 40.0 41.0 1060 1.5 17.0 35.0 710 85 100 24.0 3000 100 Northing Easting From To Ave. yearly Max. Min. Source: UNEP (2001); Biedler (2004). ) 35 ) 34 5 ) 36 1 ) 33 ) 32 4 ) 31 8 ) 32 4 10 3 ) 37 ) 35 ) 34 ) 36 Details of stream flow-gaging stations. Characteristics of the Euphrates Rivers basin. ) 37 2 9 7 3 1 ) 34 ) 32 6 ) 33 11 2 StationTusan (TS Zakho (TS Location station (km Mosul (TS Eski-kelic (TS Altun-Kupri (TS Beiji (TS Injana (TS Baghdad (TS Diyala (TS Gharraf (TS Kut (TS Husaybah (ES Hit (ES Hindiya (ES Nasiriya (ES TS – stream flow gaging stations on River Tigris; ES – stream flow gaging stations on River Euphrates. Table 5. Table 4. Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | % % 3 3 km km 1 − s 1 − 3 s m 3 m 14636 14635 3 km 3 km 1 − Average Average annual Annual percentage s 3 1 Average Average annual Annual percentage − m 867.46 27.36 2.787 0.0879 0.3213 s 3 m ) 708.30 22.33 1.57 0.0495 0.222 1 ) 979.26 30.882 9.73 0.307 0.994 ) 430 13.5 1.452 0.0458 0.339 8 ) 551.62 17.40 4.02 0.127 0.730 4 3 ) 569.75 17.96 1.35 0.0426 0.2372 3 ) 1295.94 40.87 8.64 0.272 0.666 ) 815.50 25.72 14.73 0.464 1.804 6 ) 802 25.292 7.72 0.243 0.961 11 2 River annually inflow water reduction reduction TurkeyTributaries from Iraq and Iran Total 572 18.04 1.448 1439.82 45.4 0.04566 0.253 4.235 0.1335 0.294 Water availability and inflow reductions for Tigris–Euphrates Rivers. Annual reductions in water inflow of main gaging stations. Mosul (TS Beiji (TS Baghdad (TS Kut (TS Husaybah (ES Nasiriya (ES Hit (ES Hindiya (ES Station annually inflow water reduction reduction EuphratesTotal 802 25.52 2241.81 70.92 7.777 0.245 12.012 0.3785 0.960 1.254 Tigris Table 7. Table 6. Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | ) 1 − yr 3 .) 1 − ) (km 1 ha − 3 yr 3 ) (km 1 − 3 yr 3 km 1 s 13 300 and 15 000 m − ff s ) (km 3 1 − m yr 3 14637 14638 3 ) (km 1 km − yr 3 1 − s 3 m 100.4258.4 3.166 8.15 0.7141 4.89331.6 0.0221224 4.447 10.46 0.154 5.0294.65 12.92 7.06 3.414 2.985 4.042 0.1077 0.127 0.698 7.05 2.96 4.66 1.89 16.6 0.0933 0.147 4.73 2.422 11.2 1.214 3.125 2.081 612.5236.65 19.32 7.463 4.013 7.12 0.1265 0.2245 30.64 11.84 0.655 3.01 ) (km 1 − 4 11 8 1 2 3 yr 1 6 3 Kolars Kliot Altinbilek Beaumont UN Current –TS –ES –ES –ES –TS –TS (km 2 3 4 6 8 11 TS ES ES ES Down ES RegionTS TS Down TS % demand % annual Water demand for Tigris–Euphrates basin in Iraq. Potential water demand on the Tigris–Euphrates basin in Iraq for the period after 2020. 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Total Iraq 1999.3 63.05 28.42 0.896 100 1.42 RT RT RT RT RE RE RE RE Regionname boundary (between) Average yearly demand yearly demand demand Increasing in from demand total increasing TigrisEuphrates 17.00 29.20 16.00 40.00 15.50 31.90 25 to 28.1 38.2 to 61.0 – – 29.225 42.844 River (1994)Total (1994) (1997) 46.20 (1998) 46.00 (2010) 47.4 study 58.2 to 89.1 77 72.069 Table 9. (Note: Beaumont (1998) used two annual water tari Table 8. Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper |

Maximum Minmum Average

Maximum Minmum Average scharge of Tigris at Mosul River scharge of Tigris River at Mosul tes Rivers and locations of streamflow- tes Rivers and locations of streamflow- Months Months 14640 14639 1 1 ‐ ‐ sec

sec

3 3 m

569

Average discharge Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Average discharge General layout of the Tigris- Euphra Monthly (mean, minimum and maximum) di Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept 0 General layout of the Tigris- Euphra Monthly (mean, minimum and maximum) di

500

4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000

sec m Dischage

1 ‐ 3 500

4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000

Monthly (mean, minimum and maximum) discharge of Tigris River at Mosul dam site

General layout of the Tigris–Euphrates Rivers and locations of streamﬂow-gaging sta-

sec m Dischage Figure 2. dam site (1931-2011). gaging stations. Figure 1.

1 ‐ 3

2 Maximum Minmum Average Maximum Minmum Average discharge of Euphrates River at discharge of Euphrates River at ut, Al-Amarah, and Al- An-Nasiriyah ut, Al-Amarah, An-Nasiriyah and Al- Years Years 14642 14641 Months Months 1 1 ‐ ‐ sec sec

3 3 m m

802 802

discharge Nasiriyah

discharge Nasiriyah Kut Amarah Basra ‐

Kut Amarah Basra ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Al Al An Al Al Al An Al Average Average Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Population growth distribution for Al-K 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 Population growth distribution for Al-K Monthly (mean, maximum and minimum) 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 0 Monthly (mean, maximum and minimum) 0 0 0

7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000

500000

7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 sec

500000 m Discharge

3000000 2500000 2000000 1500000 1000000

1 ‐ 3 sec m Discharge

3000000 2500000 2000000 1500000 1000000 Population 1 ‐ 3 Population

Figure 3. Figure 4. Basra. Hit site (1932-1997). Population growth distribution for Al-Kut, Al-Amarah, An-Nasiriyah and Al-Basra. Monthly (mean, maximum and minimum) discharge of Euphrates River at Hit site (1932–

10 0 00 0 10 0

00 0 000 2 010 2

Apr.

Jan. Jan.

Feb. RT2

RT1 RE1 RE3

RT3

RE2

05 0

Oct. 1995

005 2

95 9

95 9 199…

Aug. 995 1 Aug.

(ES4) June (ES3)

July (ES2)

(ES1) July

July (TS8) Oct.

2011

(TS3) Feb. (TS6)

Apr.

Mar.

(TS11) Mar.

Feb.

Oct. 1991

00 0

2008…

2008… 2008… 000 2

June

199… 90 9 June

90 9

1989…

Beiji 1989…

990

Kut 1

Oct. 2006

Jan. Jan.

Jan. Hindiya Mosul Feb. Nasiriya

Feb.

Baghdad Apr.

May

Oct.

Husaybah 1987

95 9 Apr. 95 9 Apr. Apr.

June

1995

June

Oct. 2001

198…

Dec.

Dec. 85 9

85 9 July Feb.

July July 985 1

Feb.

Oct. 1983

Apr.

June July 1997… July 1997… 1997… 90 9

90 9

June 1990

Oct. 1996

Feb.

Jan.

Jan. Jan. 198…

Feb.

Feb. Feb.

80 9

980 1

Oct. 1979

June

Apr.

Apr. Apr.

June 85 9 85 9 Apr.

Sept. Sept. 1985 Oct. 1991

Feb.

July

July July

197…

Apr. Oct. 1975 Apr.

June

75 9

975 1

1986… June 1986… 1986…

Oct. 1986

80 9 80 9

1980

Apr.

Nov.

Nov. Feb.

Feb.

Jan. Jan. Jan.

Oct. 1971

June

197…

June

June ates Rivers for main stream flow

June

Apr.

70 9

Oct. 1981

Apr. Apr. 70 9

970 1 75 9 75 9

1975 Feb. Feb.

Apr.

Jan.

July July July

Oct. 1967 June

June uphrates Rivers basin in Iraq.

Oct. 1976 196… Aug. Aug. 1975… 1975… 1975…

70 9 65 9 Feb.

70 9

65 9

Feb. s

965 1

1970 r

Jan. Apr. Oct. 1963 Jan. Jan. Mar. June Mar.

Months

June Oct. 1971 Months Years

Apr. Apr. Apr.

196…

1960… Y

1960… Feb. Feb.

65 9

1965

60 9

60 9 June Oct. 1959 960 1

July

July July

Apr.

May May

Oct. 1966

June

14644 14643 1964… 1964… 1964… Feb.

Feb.

195…

Dec.

60 9

June

1960 Oct. 1955

Jan.

Jan. Jan.

55 9

Oct. 1961 955 1

June

Apr. July July

Feb.

Apr.

Feb. Apr. Apr.

June

55 9 55 9 Oct. 1951

195…

Feb.

1955

July July July

Oct. 1956

June

50 9

Feb. 950 1

Apr. Sept.

Sept. Feb.

1953… 1953… 1953…

June

Oct. 1947

50 9

1950 Oct. 1951 194… Apr.

Apr. Jan. Jan. Jan. June

Feb.

45 9

Apr. Apr. Apr.

945 1

Apr.

Nov. Nov. June

Oct.

1943

Oct. 1946

45 9 45

9 1945 July July July June

194… June June Feb.

Feb.

June

1942… 1942…

1942… River

40 9

Oct. 1939

40 9 Apr. Jan.

Jan.

940 1

Oct. 1941

40 9

June basin

Jan. Jan. Jan. 1940 Feb.

193… Aug. Aug.

River Feb.

June basin

Apr. Apr. Apr.

Oct. 1935

Oct. 1936

35 9

Apr. Mar. Mar.

35 9

June

935 1

35 9 35 9 Feb.

July July July

1935

Feb.

June Tigris

193… 1931…

1931… Euphrates Average monthly inflow of Tigris-Euphr 1931… 1931… 1931… Tigris

Oct. ‐ 1931

Oct. 1931

‐

Euphrates

30 9 30 9 30 9

30 0 9 0 0 0 Average annual demand of Tigris-E Average

930 1 0 1930 0 0 0

6000 4500 3000 1500 6000 4500 3000 1500 6000 4500 3000 1500 6000 4500 3000 1500

River

0 0 0

m 0 0

sec 0 m

sec ‐

600 500 400 300 200 100 800 600 400 200 800 600 400 200

600 500 400 300 200 100

800 600 400 200

600 500 400 300 200 100

Average monthly inﬂow of Tigris–Euphrates Rivers for main stream ﬂow gaging-station. Average annual demand of Tigris–Euphrates Rivers basin in Iraq.

River

1 ‐

3 1000 1000 1000 A

1 ‐ 3

sec m

‐

m sec

1 ‐ 3 gaging-station. Figure 5.

3 1 ‐

Figure 6. Fig. 5. Fig. 6.