| Sedimentation


linked to irrigation and industrial water rights, creating further economic and legal challenges. Both the King Talal and Mujib dams support irrigation and industrial water supplies, including the Southern Ghor Irrigation Project and operations run by the Arab Potash Company and the Jordan Bromide Company. Any dredging activities must therefore carefully balance water availability with sediment removal in order to avoid disrupting agricultural and industrial operations. Research has also highlighted the potential value


of dredged sediment as a soil amendment. Studies show reservoir sediments can improve soil fertility and increase crop yields, reducing reliance on costly fertilisers. Although logistical challenges such as transport costs remain, sediment reuse could provide both environmental and economic benefits. Al-Tanni and colleagues outline several recommendations for improving sediment management. These include subsidising sediment- removal equipment and establishing grant programmes that allow farmers to use dredged sediment as a soil amendment. Public-private partnerships could also help develop value-added products from reservoir sediments, such as compost or construction materials. The authors also emphasise the importance of clear regulations to protect downstream water users and ensure equitable access to water resources during sediment-removal activities. Supporting research into innovative sediment- reuse applications – including soil restoration, biochar production and construction materials –could further expand economic opportunities. Nature-based solutions could also help reduce sediment inflow. Afforestation in catchment areas can limit erosion, while more sustainable agricultural practices upstream may reduce soil loss. Sediment management projects could also create employment opportunities in removal, processing and reuse. Overall, the researchers conclude that although sediment removal presents logistical and economic challenges, it can restore lost reservoir capacity and provide agricultural benefits. Given the increasing financial and environmental costs of constructing new dams, sediment management may offer a more cost-effective strategy for strengthening Jordan’s water security and extending the lifespan of existing infrastructure. “We believe that the short- and long-term benefits of sediment removal and reuse are likely to outweigh the associated economic costs,” the authors conclude.


Sedimentation challenges in


Saudi Arabia Jordan is not alone in facing reservoir sedimentation. Saudi Arabia, one of the world’s most water-scarce countries, also experiences significant sediment accumulation due to its arid climate, intense rainfall events and flash-flood-driven sediment transport. Despite its importance for water management, sedimentation has historically been poorly quantified in Saudi Arabia. This prompted Dash et al to conduct the first nationwide assessment of sedimentation across the country’s 574 reservoirs, which together have a total design capacity of about 2.58 billion m3


. With


government plans to construct an additional 1,000 dams, understanding sediment accumulation is becoming increasingly important. In their study published in the Journal of Environmental Management, researchers analysed satellite-derived trends in water extent across reservoirs between 1986 and 2024. By 2024, the


cumulative usable capacity of Saudi Arabia’s reservoirs had declined by roughly 32% compared with their original design capacity due to sediment accumulation. Of the 488 reservoirs with capacities greater than 0.1 that were analysed, around 63% showed declining


Mm3


trends in water extent. Approximately 26% experienced at least five consecutive years without detectable open water, suggesting they may be nearly or completely filled with sediment. The results indicate that water use itself is unlikely to be the primary cause of these declines. Instead, geological factors appear to play a greater role, with catchments dominated by siliciclastic rocks experiencing higher erosion rates and faster sediment accumulation. The researchers argue that sustainable reservoir management will require coordinated strategies. Measures such as sediment sluicing and desilting should be combined with upstream erosion control and sediment-trapping structures, while integrated planning should incorporate these approaches from the earliest stages of dam development. However, progress is constrained by major research gaps, including limited data on erosion processes, sediment accumulation and flash-flood transport, as well as restricted access to climate data. Addressing these gaps will be essential to safeguarding water supply, irrigation, groundwater recharge and flood-control infrastructure as climate change intensifies.


Innovation challenge Recognising the scale of the problem, Saudi Arabia


launched an Innovation Challenge in Dam Sediment Management in February 2026. The initiative reflects the country’s growing focus on sedimentation as a critical water-security issue requiring innovative solutions. Launched under the Saudi Innovation Grants


Programme for Special Challenges in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the Saudi Irrigation Organisation, the challenge invites start-ups, researchers and companies to propose scalable solutions for managing sediment in dams. Potential approaches include improved watershed


erosion control, smarter reservoir operation strategies, environmentally friendly sediment-removal technologies and new uses for dredged material in sectors such as construction or agriculture.


Saudi Arabia is also investing in training programmes


to develop local expertise in dam management and sediment control, ensuring that engineers, hydrologists and environmental scientists can develop and implement long-term solutions.


Above: Cumulative design storage capacity and estimated actual storage capacity of Saudi Arabia’s 574 reservoirs from 1950 to 2024. Increases in capacity correspond to the commissioning of new dams, while gradual declines in actual capacity reflect sediment accumulation over time. Source: www.sciencedirect.com


References


Sustainable sediment management in Jordanian dams: Feasibility, economic viability, and agricultural reuse potential Ahmed Al-Taani, Fares Howari, Nazem El Radaideh, Yousef Nazzal, Wesam Al Kateeb, Jibran Iqbal, Abeer Al Bsoul. Journal Of Water And Land Development 2025, No. 64 (I–III): 211–220. DOI: 10.24425/jwld.2025.153533


Reuse of bottom sediment from reservoirs to cropland is a promising agroecological practice that must be rationalized Cécile Gomez, Julien Amelin, Guillaume Coulouma, Juliette Gaab, Subramanian Dharumarajan, Jean Riotte, Muddu Sekhar & Laurent Ruiz. Scientific Reports | (2025) 15:7523 | https://doi. org/10.1038/s41598-025-92206-2


Sedimentation in Saudi Arabia’s 574 reservoirs: Nationwide assessment using remote sensing and erosion modelling. Sonam S. Dasha, Nikola Ivanovića Matthew F. McCabeb, Debasish Pale, Hannu Marttilae, Raied Alharbic, Gregory R. Hancockd, Yoshihide Wadab, Hylke E. Becka. Journal of Environmental Management 394 (2025) 127199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. jenvman.2025.127199


Saudi Innovation Challenge Targets Dam Sediment To Safeguard Water Security - Fanack Water


www.waterpowermagazine.com | April 2026 | 39


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45