Journal of Earth Sciences and Geotechnical Engineering

Bathymetry and Sediment survey for two old water harvesting schemes, Jordan

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• Abstract

  Jordan is among the least countries in its water resources and about 85% of its area is desertic. Due to this reason the inhabitants of the Badia region used centuries ago water harvesting techniques to augment water for human and animal use. Two ancient water harvesting schemes (Burqu and Dier Al-Kahf) were investigated. Bathymetric survey was conducted and both bottom and water samples were collected to study the nature of sediments in these schemes. The calculated volume of Burqu and Deir Al-Kahf reservoirs were 629505 and 12071m³ respectively. Sediments entering these reservoirs are mainly fine sand derived from the main and side valleys entering the reservoirs during rain events. The sediments at Burqu reservoir have a mean grain size of 0.1 mm, very poorly sorted and negatively skewed. The sand: silt: clay ratios were 70:17:13 respectively. At Deir Al-Kahf reservoir, the sediment mean grain size was 0.11mm and they were very poorly sorted and they were finely skewed. The sand: silt: clay ratios were 69: 23: 8 respectively. Annual rates of sediments deposited in these reservoirs were 29016 m3 for Burqu and 29016 m3 for Deir Al-Kahaf.