Jordan's second largest dam inaugurated

King Hussein of Jordan inaugurated Jordan's second largest dam in Jordan Valley.

It cost JD 51 million and has the capacity to hold 55 million cubic meters of water. Jordan's government financed 45% of its total cost, while a loan from the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development covered the rest.

The dam which is below sea level, spreads over an area of 5 square kilometers and needed four years of work to be completed. It can withstand earthquakes measuring up to 7.5 on the Richter scale.

Jordan's Minister of Water and Irrigation Munzir Haddadin said the dam which will serve the southern part of Jordan Valley is a part of the comprehensive plan to develop the whole rift valley.

"The productivity of Jordan valley will be doubled," he said. "We hope for the products to reach at the Middle East and European markets," he added.

The dam is designed to store winter flows from the King Abdullah channel through a twin pipeline system that will pump the water back into the channel in spring and summer.