This is great news.. The sure know how to spend their money wisely... http://arabnews.com/lifestyle/offbeat/article554066.ece Potential of dams being studied By MD HUMAIDAN | ARAB NEWS Published: Dec 26, 2011 22:24 Updated: Dec 26, 2011 22:24 JEDDAH: The Kingdom has 237 dams and reservoirs with a total capacity of 863 million cubic meters of water, a recent report of the Ministry of Water and Electricity said. This is in addition to 164 dams under construction to increase the capacity to 1,349 million cubic meters. The dams are multifunctional because they guarantee protection to hamlets and villages from the ravages of flashfloods, replenish depleting sources of underground water, making earth arable besides creating more tourist locations. Minister of Water and Electricity Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman Al-Hussayen said last week that the life and potential of existing dams are being studied so that new dams could be constructed where necessary. Al-Hussayen added that many large water projects are being implemented in Makkah, Jeddah, Taif, Baha, Mahayil Asir, Al-Ola and Madinah. Studies are also underway on water resources in the valleys east of the Hijaz mountains. Most dams in the Kingdom are made of mud, concrete or mixing various substances. Some are built underground. Agriculturists are demanding that networks of canals should be dug to exploit the countrys water reserves for increased farming. © 2010 Arab News
