Euphrates River
Project 1
Introduction
Introduction
O Euphrates river is one of the longest rivers in the
western Asia.
O It is one of the most historically important rivers in
the region.
O It originates in eastern Turkey and it flows through
Syria and Iraq to join the Tigris river in Shatt al-Arab
which empties into the Persian gulf.
O The land between the Euphrates and the Tigris is
known as Mesopotamia, which means "between the
rivers" in Greek.
Ancient History
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The Euphrates river is one of the most important rivers in the
world.
Along with the Tigris river, it provided much of the water that
helped develop ancient Mesopotamian culture.
The Tigris Euphrates valley was the birthplace of the ancient
civilizations of Assyria, Babylonian, and Sumer.
The south east lands between the two rivers was the site of the
glorious Babylonian civilizations of ancient times.
For centuries the river formed the east limit of the Roman empire
during those times numerous towns and centres of art and
literature flourished along its bank.
Much historical data has been yielded by archaeological
excavations on the banks of the river.
Discharge of the Euphrates
O Most of the river’s water in the form of rainfall and melting
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snow, resulting in peak volumes during winter season the
months April through May, while low runoffs occurs in summer
and autumn.
Discharge in these 2 months represent 36% of the total annual
flow of the river.
The average natural annual flow of the Euphrates has been
determined from early- and mid-twentieth century records as
20.9 cubic kilometres.
The discharge of the Euphrates has changed dramatically
since the construction of the dams.
In 1990 discharge data where collected to show the impact of
the construction of the numerous dams in the Euphrates and
of the increased withdrawal of water for irrigation.
River Modifications
O There are a plenty of other dams that were
constructed in Iraq, Turkey & Syria.
O Apart from barrages and dams, Iraq has also
created an intricate network of canals
connecting the Euphrates with Lake
Habbaniyah, Lake Tharthar, and Abu Dibbis
reservoir, all of which can be used to store
excess floodwater.
Environmental & social effects
O The dams constructed in both the Euphrates
and the Tigris basins have affected 382 villages
and almost 200,000 people have been resettled
elsewhere.
O The creation of reservoirs with large surfaces in
countries with high average temperatures has
led to increased evaporation; thereby reducing
the total amount of water that is available for
human use.
Economy
O Throughout history, the Euphrates river has
been a vital importance to those living along
the river.
O Many projects such as the construction of
large hydropower stations, irrigation
schemes and pipelines for transporting
water over a large distance.
O The river’s water is used for electricity
generation and drinking water.
Tributaries
O In Syria 3 rivers add their water to the
Euphrates the Sajur, the Balikh and the
Khabur.
O Once the Euphrates enters Iraq, there are no
more natural tributaries to the Euphrates,
although some man made canals
connecting the Euphrates basin with the
Tigris basin exist.
Flood myth
O The Noah’s Ark book claims that some of
the story elements of a great flood is
actually based on an actual Euphrates river
flood.
O Some of the Sumerian cities also show signs
of this river flood.
O Parts of the original myths were physically
possible, but other parts were not possible.
The possible parts were treated as an
ancient legend to which mythical material
was added later.
Flooding
O According to the UN report in 2009 as a result of heavy
rains and winds that started on 30th Oct to the 1st Nov
09, and on 2nd Nov 09 in the northern parts of Iraq.
O flash flooding and landslides have resulted in two
deaths, several persons injured and affected over 3,000
persons (500 families) across several locations.
O Many water networks and facilities were affected by the
floods. The main water project which supplies water to
Erbil district was damaged.
Issues & problems
O The Euphrates river is facing a real problem
as it is drying out due to lack of rain & higher
recent average temperatures in the region.
O The shrinking of the Euphrates, a river so
crucial to the birth of civilization had a lot of
negative impact on fishermen & farmers
that decided to go to cities to look for work.