PROPOSED HYDROLOGICAL SCENARIOS FOR

RESTORATION OF AL-HAMMAR MARSH

Ammar A. A. Amin, M.Sc., Dept. of Water Resources Engineering,
University of Baghdad

1- ABSTRACT:
The goal of this study is to obtain the required quantities of water for purpose of restorated
varied areas of it within the new boundaries for the marsh. The volume-elevation and elevation-area
relationships were built from a digital elevation model (DEM) where these relationships were used
as a part of a water balance model together with the evapo-transpiration losses to compute the
required inflow into the marsh for three restoration plans suitable for wet, moderate and dry years.
The required inflows were distributed over the feeding sources for the marsh which they are mainly
irrigation canals for agricultural projects inside the marsh area according to their design capacities
and the surplus water sharing in term of three scenarios for the previous restoration strategies. A
new feeding source was proposed near Al-Fuhood village on the Euphrates river which will
supplied the marsh in case of flooding the river, also an expansion for Al-Kurmashia River head
regulator was proposed to be ready for playing its role in the restoration process. A control structure
was proposed to construct on Shatt Al-Arab or at the exist point at the end of the marsh to control
on the entered water to the marsh in tide period during the ebb period because these quantities of
water are important source for restorating the eastern part from the marsh. According to this study
and previous studies, the full restoration for Al-Hammar marsh will be guaranteed during wet and
flooded seasons.
Key words: water balance model, digital elevation model, Al-Hammar Marsh, restoration

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2- GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The study area is the Al-Hammar Marsh (H.M.) which is located within latitude 46 to 47, and
longitude 30 - 30.5 (see figure(1)). The marsh has total area about 3000 km2 and its bounded by
Euphrates River from the north, Shatt Al-Arab from the east, Al-Basra water project and Main
Outfall Drain (M.O.D) from the south and Sook Al Sheyukh city from the west.
Before 1990, the marsh was supplied by water mainly from Euphrates River and its
distributaries that branching southward. These feeders are Akaka River, Al-Nuwashe River, Al1

Etaibeia River, Al-Hamidia River, Al-Ghamige River, Ghleween River, Al-Haffar River, Karmat
Bani Saaid River, Al-Faithelia River and Anter River. Additional feeding was came from Shatt AlArab during the high water tide by Al-Ghumaeech River, Al-Shafi River, Al-Mesahhab River and
Al-Sallal River. During flood seasons of Tigris River, the Central Marshes pass the exceed water to
Euphrates River, and that last passes the water to Al-Hammar Marsh directly through some
openings in the right embankments of the river between Al-Hammar and Al-Madiana villages.
The south petroleum company has executed an embankment as central road to connect oil
fields that located at the north of Al-Hammar marsh with those at the south. This road across the
marsh for length about 4350 m from Euphrates River to ArRumaila oil fields. The water passes
under this road through 334 pipe culverts and three bridges openings. These cross structures were
designed to pass a flood of 100 years return period as that happened in 1969 (Al-Furat, 1987).

Figure(1): The total inundated area of Al-Hammar Marsh before 1980, Iraqi
marshlands observation system, (MoWR, MoEn and MMPW, 2006).
3- AL-HAMMAR MARSH DRYING OPERATION:
After 1990, Raising Euphrates River shoulders played an important role in the drying of the
marsh. High level embankments were executed on both sides of Euphrates River with length about
94 km in addition to shoulder rising of Ghlaiween ,Akaka and Bani Hassen rivers. These branches
were combined to form the collector channel which meets Euphrates River near Al Fuhood village.
This was done to prevent the water from reaching the marsh. Shoulder rising were also executed on
several other rivers which have indirect role in the process of the drying operation, (Al-Furat, 2003;
MoWR, MoEn and MMPW, 2006; CRIM, 2007).
In order to complete the process of drying, Al-Hurriya river was executed (maximum
discharge of this river is 300m3/sec) which draws great part of the Euphrates River flow in
Nassiriya to be transported far from H.M. and discharges in M.O.D.. Also a new project was
executed to convey fresh water to Al-Basra governorate which named as Al-Basra water supply
project. This project crosses the marsh and causes a new obstruction to the movement of water
inside the marsh.
4- AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS WITHIN AL-HAMMAR MARSH:
The declared goal of the drying operation was to obtain agricultural lands about 500,000
donums. These agricultural areas are distributed over the following projects (Al-Furat, 2003):
2

 Al-Malha project with total area of 305,000 donums, 165,000 donums from which in ThiQar governorate and 140,000 donums is within Al-Basra governorate (Al-Furat, 1995-A).
Um-Nakhla Project: This project is in Thi-Qar governorate with an area of 80000 donums
(Al-Furat, 1995-B).
Al-Shafi Project which located in Al-Basra Governorate with an area of 122,000 donums
(Al-Furat, 1995-C).
Right Side Euphrates Project: This is the smallest project in Thi-Qar governorate. The net
project area is 40000 donums.

Figure (2): The main agricultural projects and the actually exploited agricultural areas with the main
feeding canals. (red lines Project border, blue lines irrigation canals, green shade exploited area)
The increasing of the saltiness concentration in the marsh due to the drying process by evapotranspiration caused in disregarding the great part of the areas of the above projects. Thus, the
percentage of overall exploited agricultural areas are about 25% from total projects areas. Table (1)
lists the distribution of these areas within Al-Basra and Thi-Qar governorates.
The proposed water duties (which represent the 50% rice, 30% wheat and 20% barley)
according to design requirement for Ministry of Water Resources for the agricultural projects within
the marsh are listed in table (2). According to table (1) and (2), the estimation of the consumptive
use for each irrigation project can be calculated.
Table (1): Total and actually exploited areas for the agricultural projects within the marsh
(CRIM, 2007):

Project
Name

Al-Basra

Al-Nassiriya

Al-Basra

Al-Nassiriya

Al-Malha

35000

41250

15340

Percentage of
exploited area
from the project
(%)
20

Al-Shafi

30500

14434

47

Um-Nakhla

20000

2713

14

Total area of the project (hectar)

exploited area of the project (hectar)

Table (2): Water duty of Al-Basra and Al-Nassiriya Irrigation Projects (Liter/sec/hectar) (MoWR,
MoEn and MMPW, 2006):
Month
Al-Basra
Al-Nassiriya

Oct.
0.208
0.208

Nov.
0.060
0.060

Dec.
0.126
0.126

Jan.
0.143
0.125

Feb.
0.248
0.238

Mar.
0.390
0.384

Apr.
1.483
1.492

May
1.396
1.378

June
1.622
1.645

July
1.327
1.332

Aug.
1.119
1.152

Sep.
-

5- NEW BORDER OF AL-HAMMAR MARSH:

According to the1990s changes in the objective of the marsh and the existing of the previous
projects (ArRumaylla oil fields, Al Basra water project, agricultural projects and the M.O.D.), the
suggested inundated area of the marsh is about 1552 km2 ,see figure (3). The Digital Elevation
Model (DEM) is constructed for the new marsh, see figure (4), according to the achieved
topographical survey of General Directorate of Survey/ Ministry of Water Resources (CRIM, 2007),
Al-Tawasul International Company for Engineering Design and Consultants (Al-Tawasul, 2006),
and the available topographical maps concerning marsh area under the supervision of CRIM
(Centre for the Restoration of Iraqi Marshlands), (CRIM, 2007). The ArcView GIS software is
used with the help of achieved DEM to account the volume of water in the marsh at any elevation
assuming that horizontal water surface. The volume-elevation and elevation-area relationships are
formed in the following equations and shown in figures (5) and (6).
Elevation = 0.222595 + 6.5924*10-5 * Volume0.5

(1)

Area = (EXP(21.273699 - 4.8474416 * EXP(-Elevation)) / 106

(2)

where:
Area = surface area (km2)
Elevation = water surface elevation (m.a.s.l.)
Volume = storage volume (MCM)

Figure (3): The new suggested border of Al-Hammar Marsh.

Figure (4): The Digital Elevation Model of Al-Hammar Marsh Area.

Volume-Elevation Curve of Hammar Marsh
4.00
Actual elevation
Approximated Function

Elevation( m)

3.00

2.00
A p p r o x i m a t e d For m u la :
e le v a t ion = a + b * v olu m e ^ 0 .5
w it h
a = 0 .2 2 2 5 9 5
b = 6 .5 9 2 4 * 1 0 ^ - 5
R = 0 .9 9 6

1.00

0.00
0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

Volume(10^6 m3)

Figure(5): Volume-Elevation Curve

Area-Elevation Curve of Hammar Marsh

1600
Actual Area
Approximated Function

1400

Area( km2)

1200
1000
800
Approximated Formula:
Area={exp(a+b*exp[-elevation]}/1000000
with
a=21.273599
b=- 4.8474416
R=0.995

600
400
200
0
0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

Elevation(m)

Figure(6): Elevation-Area Curve

5

4.0

6- THE NET REQUIRED INFLOW FOR RESTORATION OF AL-HAMMAR MARSH:

A water balance model was built to compute the required quantities of water to be supplied to
the marsh to satisfy varied range of restorated area. This model was presented by the following
equation:
Si+1 = Si + Ii Oi - Ei

(3)

where
Si = storage volume in the current month
Si+1 = storage volume in the next month
Ii = volume of inflow in the current month
Oi = volume of outflow in the current month
Ei = volume of losses (evapo-transpiration and deep percolation losses) in the current month
Monthly data are needed to use with this model, where an initial storage volume is specified
then the storage volume for the next month will be computed after adding the monthly volume of
the inflow and subtracting the monthly volume of outflow and losses. This process will be repeated
sequentially for one year or more.
The evapo-transpiration losses were entered to the model as monthly value in term of
inundated area of the marsh, table (3), with 10% additional value as deep percolation.
Table (3) Monthly evapo-transpiration in Al-Hammar Marsh. (MoWR, MoEn and MMPW, 2006)
Month
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
Sep.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.

Evapo-transpiration (mm/month)
51.80
78.60
134.8
205.7
333.2
470.0
457.7
410.8
341.0
245.0
115.7
65.00

Three plans for restoration were taken into consideration in this study. these plans are suitable
for wet, moderate, and dry years which named full, moderate and drought plans.
In all plans, the outflow from the marsh was assumed zero for purpose of computing net
required inflow for restoration only, so that additional required outflow shall be added to the net
inflow.
Since widely variation in the storage volume in the marsh during the year and the missing of
the accurate value for the existing storage volume, the storage volume which equivalent to 50% of
the marsh area was taken as initial storage in all operation scenarios in this study.
6.1- THE FULL RESTORATION PLAN:
This plan may be adopted during wet years, where the goal of it is to keep the restorated area
around 90% of total marsh area. That means, the storage volume will be ranged between 3250
MCM (at 4.00 m.a.s.l.) as maximum and 645 MCM (at 1.95 m.a.s.l.) as minimum.
The model was operated for one wet year and the obtained results are shown in figure (6) and
figure (7).
6

300

250

Net Inflow (cumecs)

200

150

100

50

0
Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Month

Figure (6): The net required inflow for full restoration plan of Al-Hammar Marsh
100

1600

98

Inundated Area (Sq. Km)

96

94

1500

92
1450

90

88

Percentage of Inundated Area %

1550

1400
Inundated Area (Sq. Km)

86

Area Percentage %

1350
Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

84
Sep

Month

Figure (7): The inundated area and their percentage monthly for full
restoration plan of Al-Hammar Marsh
The computed evapo-tranpiration losses for one operation year is equivalent to a continuous
discharge of 138 m3/sec during the wet year.
6.2- THE 70% RESTORATION PLAN:
This plan was appropriated to be suitable for moderate years. The goal of this plan is to keep the
inundated area around 70% of the total area of the marsh. According to this percentage of the
inundated area, the storage volume will be ranged between 1465 MCM (at 2.75 m.a.s.l.) as
maximum and 477 MCM (at 1.65 m.a.s.l).
The net required inflow and the inundated area and their percentage are shown in figure (8) and
figure (9) respectively.
The computed evapo-tranpiration losses for one operation year is equivalent to a continuous
discharge of 105 m3/sec during the moderate year.

160

140

120

Net Inflow (cumecs)

100

80

60

40

20

0
Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

Sep.

Month

Figure(8):The net required inflow for 70% restoration plan of Al-Hammar Marsh
100

1400

95
1300

Inundated Area (Sq. Km)

1200

85
80

1100

75
1000

70
65

900

Percentage of Inundated Area %

90

60
800
Inundated Area (Sq. Km)

55

Area Percentage %

700
Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

50
Sep.

Month

Figure(9): The inundated area and their percentage monthly for 70%
restoration plan of Al-Hammar Marsh
6.3- THE 50% RESTORATION PLAN:
This plan may be adopted for dry years where the discharge of Tigris and Euphrates are so little.
A 55% of the marsh area was kept as average. The maximum and minimum storage volume
were 1212 MCM (at 2.5 m.a.s.l.) and 219 MCM (at 1.2 m.a.s.l.) respectively.
The net required inflow and the inundated area and their percentage are shown in figure (10)
and figure (11) respectively.
The Evapo-transpiration losses is equivalent to a continuous discharge of 78m3/sec during the
drought year.

140

120

Net Inflow (cumecs)

100

80

60

40

20

0
Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

Sep.

Month

Figure (10): The net required inflow for 50% restoration plan of Al-Hammar Marsh
1300

100
Inundated Area (Sq. Km)

1200

Area Percentage %

90

Inundated Area (Sq. Km)

80
1000
70

900
800

60

700

50

600
40

Percentage of Inundated Area %

1100

500
30

400
300
Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

20
Sep.

Month

Figure (11): The inundated area and their percentage monthly for 50%
restoration plan of Al-Hammar Marsh
7- THE SURPLUS CAPACITY OF THE IRRIGATION PROJECT:
The existing surplus capacity of each irrigation project is studied with the existing agricultural
area. Table (4) explains the maximum discharges that may be delivered into the marsh without
causing any negative effect on the existing agricultural area within those projects. Those discharges
are computed according to the actual design capacity, (Al-Furat, 1995-A; Al-Furat, 1995-B; AlFurat, 1995-C) of irrigation canal minus the required discharge for the agricultural areas.

Table (4): The surplus capacity (m3/sec) of each irrigation project during the year.

Project
Name

Al-Shafi

Al-Malha

Um- Nakhla

Total available
discharges from
the irrigation
project

Oct

3.34

12.67

2.82

18.83

Nov

3.65

0.83

5.48

Dec

7.68

1.71

11.39

Jan

2.34

1.69

12.03

Feb

14.70

3.22

21.92

March

6.27

23.51

5.20

34.98

April

23.82

90.71

20.20

134.73

May

22.43

84.29

18.66

125.38

June

26

99.75

22.27

148.02

July

21.32

81

18

120.32

Aug

18

69.52

15.60

103.12

Sep

36

120.59

29.47

186.06

8- THE SUGGESTED FEEDERS FOR AL HAMMAR MARSH:

From the existing situation of the irrigation projects and the limited feeders for the restoration
of Al-Hammar marsh, the main feeders of the marsh will be Um-Nakhla main canal and AlKurmashia project main canals, Al-Malha project main canals, and Al-Shafi project main canals.
These feeders will not satisfy all the required inflow for the marsh for the plan of full and 70%
restoration. Accordingly, the capacity of the head regulator of Al-Kurmashia project must be
increased to reach design capacity of 70m3/sec. So, this increment in the capacity of the control
structure and the development of the main canal of Al-Kurmashia project will give an additional
discharge of 50m3/sec .New feeder near Al-Fuhood is suggested to supply a design discharge of
300m3/sec , see figure (12). The suggested control structure will be on the right bank of Euphrates
River near Al-Fuhood.
The design discharge of this feeder is considered to be as a single feeder of the marsh for full
and moderate restoration.
Another feeder may be taken into consideration in the restoration process which is the tidal
effect of Shatt Al-Arab. The tidal effect plays an important rule in the restoration of the eastern part
of the marsh and improves the water quality and circulation within this part of the marsh if the high
and low water tide are controlled. This feeder is absence in the below suggested scenarios because
of absence the required control structure on Garmat Ali or Shatt Al Arab River at their junction.
The net required inflow for the restoration of Al-Hammar Marsh for the three suggested plans
are divided on the one or more than one feeder according to the scenarios below:
A) First Scenario: The feeders of the marsh are all the main irrigation canals of the previous
irrigation projects (Um-Nakhla main canal, Al-Kurmashia project main canals, Al-Malha project
main canals, and Al-Shafi project main canals ) with their existing capacities plus Al-Fuhood
feeder.
B) Second Scenario: The feeder of the marsh is Al-Fuhood feeder only. And finally,
C) Third Scenario: The feeders of the marsh are all the main irrigation canals of the above projects
with their existing capacities, Al-Fuhood feeder and additional discharge from Al-Kurmashia
feeder.
10

11

Figure (12) The suggested feeders of the marsh

AL-HAMMAR
MARSH AREA

Garmat
Ali

The required discharge from each feeder according to the suggested scenarios for each
strategy are presented in tables (5)-(6) and (7).
The locations of hydraulic structures to control the inflow into the marsh are shown in figure
(13); will be listed in following locations:
Construct a head regulator on Al-Kurmashia River with a designed discharge of 70m3/sec to
control the inflow into the marsh and to provide the required water for the irrigation projects.
Construct a control structure near Al-Fuhood village (with a designed discharge of 300m3/sec)
to be one of the main feeders of the marsh .These scenarios will give the flexibility in the
operation process.
Construct a gated structure in Ar-Rumaila road site instead or with the existing 334 pipes. The
designed discharge of the structure is 600m3/sec.
The main objective of this structure is to give two individual marshes within Al-Hammar
Marsh and to prevent the water from leaving the marsh towards Shatt Al-Arab during drought years
or when the inflow to the marsh are within there lower quantities or for environmental
requirements.

Table (6) Net Required Inflow from Each

Feeder (m3/sec) for the Restoration of AlHammar Marsh, (second scenario):

Table (5) Net Required Inflow from Each

Feeder (m3/sec) for the Restoration of AlHammar Marsh, (first scenario):
Irrigation Canals

Month
Al-Shafi

Um Nakhla

Al-Malha

AlFuhood
Intake
Structure

Irrigation Canals
Al-Shafi

Um Nakhla

Al-Malha

111.2

3.3

2.8

12.7

Oct

130

0.0

0.0

0.0

Nov

144.6

1.0

0.8

3.6

Nov

150

0.0

0.0

0.0

Dec

163.6

2.0

1.7

7.7

Dec

175

0.0

0.0

0.0

Jan

188.0

2.3

1.7

8.0

Jan

200

0.0

0.0

0.0

Feb

203.1

4.0

3.2

14.7

Feb

225

0.0

0.0

0.0

Mar

215.0

6.3

5.2

23.5

Mar

250

0.0

0.0

0.0

Apr

115.3

23.8

20.2

90.7

Apr

250

0.0

0.0

0.0

May

54.6

22.4

18.7

84.3

May

180

0.0

0.0

0.0

Jun

1.9

26.1

22.3

99.7

Jun

150

0.0

0.0

0.0

Jul

4.6

21.3

18.0

81.0

Jul

125

0.0

0.0

0.0

Aug

0.0

17.4

15.2

67.4

Aug

100

0.0

0.0

0.0

Sep

0.0

29.0

23.8

97.2

Sep

150

0.0

0.0

0.0

Oct

47.2

3.3

2.8

12.7

Oct

66

0.0

0.0

0.0

Nov

64.6

1.0

0.8

3.6

Nov

70

0.0

0.0

0.0

Dec

63.6

2.0

1.7

7.7

Dec

75

0.0

0.0

0.0

Jan

78.0

2.3

1.7

8.0

Jan

90

0.0

0.0

0.0

Feb

98.1

4.0

3.2

14.7

Feb

120

0.0

0.0

0.0

Mar

100.0

6.3

5.2

23.5

Mar

135

0.0

0.0

0.0

Apr

5.3

23.8

20.2

90.7

Apr

140

0.0

0.0

0.0

May

24.6

22.4

18.7

84.3

May

150

0.0

0.0

0.0

Jun

0.0

22.5

20.8

96.7

Jun

140

0.0

0.0

0.0

Jul

10.0

21.2

18.0

80.8

Jul

130

0.0

0.0

0.0

Aug

20.0

17.4

15.1

67.4

Aug

120

0.0

0.0

0.0

Sep

0.0

19.0

13.8

67.2

Sep

100

0.0

0.0

0.0

Oct

31.2

3.34

2.82

12.67

Oct

50

0.0

0.0

0.0

Nov

60

0.83

3.65

Nov

65

0.0

0.0

0.0

Dec

73.6

1.71

7.68

Dec

85

0.0

0.0

0.0

Jan

88

2.34

1.69

Jan

100

0.0

0.0

0.0

Feb

98.1

3.22

14.70

Feb

120

0.0

0.0

0.0

Mar

95.1

6.27

5.20

23.51

Mar

130

0.0

0.0

0.0

Apr

0.0

15

15

70

Apr

100

0.0

0.0

0.0

May

0.0

15

15

55

May

85

0.0

0.0

0.0

Jun

0.0

10

10

40

Jun

60

0.0

0.0

0.0

Jul

0.0

10

10

30

Jul

50

0.0

0.0

0.0

Aug

0.0

10

10

30

Aug

50

0.0

0.0

0.0

Sep

0.0

10

10

40

Sep

60

0.0

0.0

0.0

70% Restoration

Full Restoration

Oct

50% Restoration

50% Restoration

70% Restoration

Full Restoration

Month

AlFuhood
Intake
Structure

12

Table (7) Net Required Inflow from Each Feeder (m3/sec)

for the Restoration of Al-Hammar Marsh
(third Scenario):
Al-Fuhood
Intake
Structure

Al-Shafi

Um Nakhla

Al-Malha

Oct

75

3.34

2.82

12.67

Nov

110

0.83

3.65

Dec

128

1.71

7.68

Jan

153

2.34

1.69

Feb

165

3.22

14.70

Mar

180

6.27

5.20

23.51

Apr

85

23.82

20.20

90.71

May

30

22.43

18.66

84.29

Jun

0.0

26

22.27

99.75

Jul

0.0

21.32

18

81

Aug

0.0

18

15.60

66.42

Sep

0.0

20

30

100

Oct

28

3.3

2.8

12.7

Nov

40

1.0

0.8

3.6

Dec

40

2.0

1.7

7.7

Jan

50

2.3

1.7

8.0

Feb

60

4.0

3.2

14.7

Mar

60

6.3

5.2

23.5

Apr

23.8

20.2

90.7

May

15

22.4

18.7

84.3

Jun

22.5

20.8

96.7

Jul

21.2

18.0

80.8

Aug

17.4

15.1

67.4

Sep

19.0

13.8

67.2

Oct

3.34

2.82

12.67

Nov

30.0

0.83

3.65

Dec

44

1.71

7.68

Jan

50

2.34

1.69

Feb

60

3.22

14.70

Mar

60

6.27

5.20

23.51

Apr

15

15

70

May

15

15

55

Jun

10

10

40

Jul

10

10

30

Aug

10

10

30

Sep

10

10

40

50% Restoration

70% Restoration

Full Restoration

Month

Irrigation Canals

13

Euphrates
River

Um Nakhla project

Hammar Marsh

Basrah Water project

Al Malha
project

MOD

Figure (13): The Locations of the Proposed Hydraulic Structures

9- CONCLUSIONS:
1. The new restorated area of Al-Hammar Marsh will be limited to 1552 Km2 (about 52 % from
the original marsh area in the year 1980) due to the existing constrains: productive agricultural
projects, oil fields and Al-Basrah water project.
2. The feeders of the marsh from the irrigation projects within Al-Nassiriya and Al-Basrah
governorates are:
Al-Malha main canals (MC3, MC4, MC5 and 50% of MC2 supply).
Um Nakhla main canal before its division into Al-Amea, Al-Sabaat and Abu Jasim
branches.
Al-Kurmashia canal and Jasim Canal.
Al-Shafi irrigation project first main canal and Ghumaeech irrigation project first main
canal.
A direct feeder from the right bank of Euphrates River is at Al-Fuhood village near MC5 of
Al-Malha project.
3. The required or possible outflow from the marsh shall be added to all computed net inflow that
been mentioned in tables (5, 6 and 7).
4. All the above net required flow discharges for restoration from all feeders are within the
discharge capacity of the existing projects main canals (except Al-Kurmashia canal that need to
be expanded to carry-out 70 m3/sec) and within the limit of surplus of the irrigation water
requirements all existing agricultural areas of the projects.

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5. Scenario No. 2 is the best option for flood year of Euphrates River. The inflow into Euphrates
River from the Central Marshes through set of pipes and culverts will be D/S the location of
this feeder therefore this scenario will protect Euphrates River D/S Al-Fuhood.
6. The full restoration of the marsh will be guarantee and the inundated area of the marsh will be
about 1552 km2 according to the present study.
10- RECOMMENDATIONS:
7. Studying construction of a control structure at the downstream of the marsh is needed, this
structure helps in allowing water enter to the marsh from Garmat Ali at time of high water tidal
level, and prevent or control the outflow going out the marsh at the time of low water tidal level
(ebb). The proposed location for such structure is near Khalid Bridge on Shatt Al-Arab River.
8. Three proposed control structures are recommended:
A. Construct a head regulator on Al-Kurmashia River with a designed discharge of 70m3/sec.
B. Construct a control structure near Al-Fuhood village with a designed discharge of
300m3/sec.
C. Construct a gated structure in Ar-Rumaila road site instead or with the existing 334 pipes.
11- REFERENCES:
1. Al-Furat Center, 1987, "The Study of Al-Hammar Marsh and Shatt Al-Arab", Ministry of
Irrigation - Iraq.
2. Al-Furat Center, 1995-A, "General Design Scheme of Al-Malha Project", Ministry of
Irrigation - Iraq.
3. Al-Furat Center, 1995-B, "General Design Scheme of Um-Nakhla Project", Ministry of
Irrigation - Iraq.
4. Al-Furat Center, 1995-C, "General Design Scheme of Al-Shafi Project", Ministry of
Irrigation - Iraq.
5. Al-Furat Center, 2003, "Rehabilitation of Southern Marshes Study, Ministry of Irrigation, Iraq (In Arabic).
6. Al-Tawasul International Company for Engineering Design and Consultants, 2006,
"Topographical Surveying Study, Restoration of Central Marshes Study", CRIM, Baghdad,
Iraq.
7. Centre for the Restoration of Iraqi Marshlands (CRIM), 2007, "Personal Contacts with the
Staff Members of CRIM main office and CRIM representatives in Basra and Nassiriya
locations", Iraq.
8. Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR), Ministry of Environment (MoEn), Ministry of
Municipalities and Public Works (MMPW), 2006, "NEW EDEN Master Plan for Integrated
Water Resources Management in the Marshlands area". which Prepared in cooperation with
the Italian Ministry for the environment and Territory and the Free Iraq Foundation,
Baghdad.

15