Muawiya Dam

Muawiya Dam is a water dam located in Wadi al-Khanq, east of Medina in Saudi Arabia.

Geography

It lies in a narrow passage between two mountains near the village of Al-ʽUqul, about 15 kilometers from Medina.

History

It was built around the year 50 AH during the reign of Caliph Mu'awiya I.
Inscriptions on the dam indicate its date of construction and the names of those who participated in building it.

Engineering Dimensions

Its original length is about 30 meters.
Its height from the valley floor to the surrounding ground level is about 20 meters.
The width of the dam wall at the base is estimated at 10 meters.
Terracing appears in the dam's construction, which helps strengthen its base due to its height.

Significance

It is considered a testament to Islamic civilization in hydraulic engineering and agriculture at the time.
The dam is part of an ancient network of dams that protect the city from valley floods.