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Transboundary Water Cooperation in the Orontes Basin

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Transboundary Water Cooperation in the Orontes Basin Transboundary water cooperation in the Orontes Basin 1 Orontes River - Originates from Hermel springs in Lebanon at 1100 – 1200 m AMSL, with an average discharge of 400 MCM/year - About 570 km long - About 25000 km2 basin, with 8% in Lebanon - Average basin precipitation ranges from 300-800 mm/year - Mean basin temperature ranges from 17 – 20 °C - Basin population is around 6 million inhabitants Historical - Orontes is historically one the oldest regulated and invested rivers - Norias along the river were used to irrigate high lands - Norias were used to provide drinking water for main cities through astonishing networks - Water mills were powered by river water Norias – Hama Watermill – Homs 1930s Then Now The Orontes River Distribution Agreement of 1994 - An agreement on the Distribution of Orontes River Water Originating in Lebanese Territory was signed in 1994 - For a normal average year of a 400 MCM discharge the Lebanese side to get 80 MCM - The years with an average discharge less than 400 MCM are considered scarce years, the Lebanese side is to get 20% of the discharge - River discharge is measured at the Hermel Bridge - The year was divided into 4 periods with a specific share for every period (10, 10, 10, and 50 MCM) - If Lebanon did not benefit from its full share during any period, then they can benefit from the balance of this share during the month that follows this period of the same year. - No more wells to be bored in the river recharge area after 1994 - A joint technical committee is to be formed from both sides to supervise the good implementation of the agreement The Orontes River Distribution Agreement of 1994 - This agreement is active and effective - The joint technical committee meets regularly - The joint technical committee meets whenever necessary - The communication channels between the two sides are smooth and fast - The joint technical committee sometimes discusses any other emerging water issues including those not related to the agreement - This agreement facilitated the water planning process - The agreement created an atmosphere of trust between the two parties that prevents any water disputes from developing - The agreement created a platform to solve urgent water problems and discuss issues of common interest Future Challenges Main challenges Climate changes Pollution Gauging and data exchange Instability RICCAR Report RICCAR MAIN REPORT (2017) PROJECTED CHANGE IN CLIMATE ALONG THE MEDITERRANEAN COAST RCP 8.5 Qatena Dam Lake Storage ( million m³) 250 2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019 Maximum Storage 200 150 100 Dead storage 50 0 100 150 200 250 300 50 0 1/9 18/9 29/9 9/10 15/10 23/10 2016-2017 31/10 10/11 Rasten 20/11 28/11 6/12 21/12 Storage Lake Dam 29/12 2017-2018 12/1 19/1 2/2 12/2 21/2 6/3 16/3 2018-2019 27/3 1/4 6/4/ 12/4/ ( million m million 20/4 2/5 Maximum Storage 8/5 15/5 22/5 29/5 ³ 4/6/ ) Dead storage Dead 11/6 17/6 1/7 9/7 23/7 1/8 10/8 7/9 Gauging and Data exchange Main challenges Ability Accuracy Consistency Data exchange The need for suitable management approach All of the above raises a crucial issue Future basin management approach The key issue is good basin management on both sides to face and overcome - Water scarcity - Pollution - Environmental deterioration - Increasing water demand - For Syria it all has to be done under the pressure of war consequences, rebuilding, and recovery priorities which might negatively affect the efforts to establish good basin management Thank you for your attention.
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