Wadi Ahwar

Wadi Ahwar is a major seasonal watercourse, sorghum, millet, vegetables and melons. However, the irrigation infrastructure in the region is old and often poorly maintained, and groundwater abstraction is approaching safe yield levels, with concern about sustainability.
Development projects, such as the “Water Sector Support Project” have been undertaken in the Wadi Ahwar basin aiming at weir rehabilitation, canal system improvement, flood-diversion works and groundwater recharge enhancement.
Because Wadi Ahwar drains from relatively steep mountain terrain down to the coastal plain, the geomorphology involves a transition from rocky upland slopes, shallow soils and sparse vegetation, into broader alluvial fans and deltaic deposits. Sediment yield is significant during flood events. Sea-water intrusion into the delta aquifer system is of concern because over-abstraction and reduced recharge weaken the freshwater lens. Groundwater depletion has been reported.