Publication Details
Abstract
Jordan is situated in an arid to semi-arid climatic zone, where a growing population, industry, and agricultural endeavors are all necessitating more water resources. The nation focused on maximizing rainwater collection, particularly in reservoirs. These dams, predominantly built in the dry regions of the nation, have a range of issues including elevated evaporation rates, siltation, landslides, and rising salinities. Nonetheless, concurrently, water and soil are accessible at dam locations and their vicinity. The latter presents problems and possibilities for landscaping by leveraging water, soil, and climatic factors to enhance the areas near dams, so mitigating erosion, siltation, and evaporation, and establishing local and regional recreational spaces in dry regions. This will also create employment opportunities and enhance agricultural output. This research examines Zarqa Ma’in Dam as a representative case for other dams in Jordan. To that end, the climate, water resources, soils, terrain, appropriate flora, and methodologies to accomplish the objective are examined thoroughly. The findings indicate that engineered landscaping has several benefits, including the reduction of siltation, evaporation, and soil erosion, as well as the establishment of green spaces in desert regions, hence facilitating resorts, employment opportunities, and agricultural output.