Effect of Precipitation Change on Dams Storage in Jordan

Abstract

Precipitation patterns' change, rising surface temperature, extensive ice melting and increments in intensity and frequency of droughts and floods are several kinds of the reported hydrologic changes that are connected with the worldwide climate change. Therefore, climate change and its associated precipitation change are anticipated to influence the water storage as well as water supply in Jordan and impose challenges in front of the current water management policies and plans. The hydrological impacts of upcoming anticipated climate may influence the Jordanian dams' capacity and operating attributes.  Accordingly, this paper tends to explore and review mainly the effect of precipitation change on dams' storage in Jordan, by providing a brief review of major types of dams and considerations that must be taken through their design and construction as well as clarifying the necessity for a national climate change policy for Jordan. The researcher concluded that climate change and precipitation variability require new management strategies for water storage infrastructures (reservoirs), including the design for new dams and rehabilitation of the infrastructure of aging dams as well as imposing new operational systems. Several advantages of dam management ought to be considered, evaluated and actualized right away in Jordan alongside with issuing of national climate change policy taking into account the effect of precipitation change.

DOI: 10.7176/JEES/9-5-05

Publication date:May 31^st 2019