Karameh Dam, Jordan

A river closely tied to the territory, so much so that it lends its name. This summarizes the relationship between the Jordan River and Jordan, with populations settled in the region between the two major lakes of the area, the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. The river is enriched by rainfall only between May and October, limiting irrigation potential due to climate uncertainty.

Since the 1970s, Jordan has initiated a series of investments to build a system of ten dams capable of storing approximately 275 million cubic meters of water, meeting about 70% of the population's water needs. On the assignment of the Jordan Valley Authority, construction began in 1994 on a new dam located about ten kilometers north of the town of Karameh.

The dam consists of a barrier about 45 meters high that collects water from the Jordan River without completely obstructing its course. Situated in an area prone to strong tectonic movements, the dam, largely constructed with excavation materials from its foundations, has a very thick crest (10 meters) and features high flexibility in case of extraordinary stresses.

The dam's operation has increased water availability to 130 liters per day for the region's inhabitants, enabling the cultivation of approximately 50,000 hectares of land and the establishment of many new small-scale farms.