The King Fahad Dam, previously known as Bisha Dam, is a gravity dam on Wadi Bisha about 35 km (22 mi) 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. A water treatment plant was built in conjunction with the dam and it can supply up to 40,000 m3 (1,400,000 cu ft) 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 103 m (338 ft) in height, it was the tallest dam in the country until the 106 m (348 ft) Baysh Dam was completed in 2009. King Fahad's reservoir still has the largest storage capacity, at 325,000,000 m3 (263,000 acre⋅ft).[1]
| King Fahad Dam | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Location of King Fahad Dam in Saudi Arabia | |
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
| Location | Bisha, 'Asir Region |
| Coordinates | 19°41′46.80″N 42°29′14.46″E / 19.6963333°N 42.4873500°E |
| Purpose | Flood control, municipal water, irrigation, groundwater recharge |
| Construction began | 1986 |
| Opening date | 1997 |
| Owner(s) | Ministry of Water and Electricity |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Gravity |
| Impounds | Wadi Bisha |
| Height (foundation) | 103 m (338 ft) |
| Height (thalweg) | 68 m (223 ft) |
| Length | 507 m (1,663 ft) |
| Width (crest) | 80 m (260 ft) |
| Width (base) | 8 m (26 ft) |
| Spillway type | Overflow |
| Spillway capacity | 5,338 m3/s (188,500 cu ft/s) |
| Reservoir | |
| Total capacity | 325,000,000 m3 (263,000 acre⋅ft) |
| Catchment area | 7,600 km2 (2,900 sq mi) |
| Maximum length | 18 km (11 mi) |
References
edit- ^ Alhamid, Abdulaziz A. (2004). "Achievements of the custodian of the two holy mosques in water sector, PSIPW" (PDF). King Saud University. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2014.