As the winter rainy season approaches, Jordan's dams are entering a new phase of preparation, one made more urgent by the kingdom's limited water resources and increasingly erratic rainfall patterns that leave every water-storage facility carrying added weight in protecting communities from floods and storm surges.
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Attention typically turns to dam inspections as the rainy season nears, but preparations extend far beyond that, covering valleys, drainage channels, roads, culverts, and other facilities tied to stormwater management, in what is meant to be a fully integrated system operating at peak readiness before the rains begin.
Hisham Al-Haysa, secretary-general of the Jordan Valley Authority, said these preparations run year-round rather than being limited to the approach of the rainy season. The annual dam safety report represents a key milestone in tracking the readiness of Jordan's water infrastructure, Al-Haysa told Al-Ghad, adding that this year's report is expected to be released by the end of the month.
Al-Haysa said the Jordan Valley Authority prepares the report annually in cooperation with the National Dam Committee, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen safety measures and readiness ahead of the winter season. He said maintenance and preparation work continues throughout the year, not just at dam sites, but across all facilities and locations connected to water drainage and winter weather response.
That work spans dam sites, valley locations, the King Abdullah Canal, water spillways and drainage systems, as well as roads, box culverts, and other drainage infrastructure, Al-Haysa said, describing the maintenance and preparation work as continuous and ongoing throughout the year to ensure all sites and facilities are ready before winter arrives.
On dam safety inspections specifically, Al-Haysa said the National Dam Committee, working with a specialized team from the Jordan Valley Authority, began its work earlier than usual this year. The committee was formed in June, he said, and its work continued for roughly two and a half months.
Al-Haysa said the committee has completed its inspection work and the drafting of the dam safety report, with final touches now being added while recommendations from the committee's field visits are being followed up. That work took place alongside visits to each dam site to review recommendations ensuring the readiness of dam facilities, he said.
Jordan formally joined the International Commission on Large Dams earlier this year, a move officials described as a national achievement reflecting international confidence in the kingdom's technical and institutional capacity to manage its dam sector.
Al-Haysa told Al-Ghad at the time that the accession followed a lengthy series of technical procedures, including the submission of credentials and specialized reports documenting the condition of Jordan's dams and their compliance with international standards, along with a detailed presentation of the management and maintenance methods in use.
The vote approving Jordan's membership in the commission represents international recognition of the progress the kingdom has made, Al-Haysa said, adding that it opens the door to expanded international cooperation in training, research, and financing, particularly given the growing need to develop water infrastructure.
Al-Haysa said joining the international commission would help facilitate financing for future dam projects and support research and academic exchange with universities and experts around the world, which he said would in turn benefit the development of local technical expertise and strengthen Jordan's ability to respond to climate and water-related challenges.
He said at the time that the Jordan Valley Authority remains committed to adopting the latest global systems and applying advanced scientific tools to ensure sustainable water security and preserve the safety and continuity of dam facilities as a vital resource for future generations.
Many Jordanians are hopeful about the approaching winter season, following mounting pressure on the water sector and a sharp rise in demand amid high temperatures, at a time when rainfall represents a critical opportunity to replenish water reserves and feed dams with new supply.
Dams remain among the most important facilities in Jordan's water sector, given their strategic value in a country facing limited water resources and inconsistent rainfall in recent years, compounded by rising demand driven by population growth and expanding economic activity.
Jordan has 16 major dams with a combined design capacity of 365 million cubic meters, while their actual storage capacity stands at approximately 288 million cubic meters.
The Dam Safety Committee carries out its work annually to confirm dam readiness at the start of each winter season, inspecting operating equipment at every dam and reviewing periodic readings collected over previous periods to assess the structural stability of each facility.
The committee also verifies the readiness of hydromechanical equipment used for water discharge and confirms that dam reservoirs are prepared to receive the rainy season.
Jordan depends primarily on rainfall for its water resources, with amounts varying significantly by region, while terrain plays a major role in how rainfall is distributed. That makes early preparation and the effective use of every rainy season a matter that extends beyond routine operations and reaches into the core of national water security.
Jordan's dams have evolved beyond simple water-storage infrastructure into strategic assets touching both water and economic security, particularly in a country facing scarce water resources and rising demand driven by population growth and urban and economic expansion.
The Dam Safety Committee's work supports that role by verifying the structural stability of water facilities and the functionality of their equipment, ensuring the dams' sustainability and their ability to withstand floods and climate variability while continuing to store water and protect surrounding infrastructure and communities.
With water demand rising and climate change and higher temperatures adding further pressure, early preparation for the rainy season has shifted from an operational choice to a necessity dictated by Jordan's water and climate realities, in a country where officials approach every rainy season as an opportunity to boost an already limited water reserve.
