King Fahad Dam

The King Fahad Dam, previously known as Bisha Dam, is a gravity dam on Wadi Bisha about 35 km (22 mi) south of Bisha in the 'Asir Region of southwestern Saudi Arabia. The dam has many purposes , such as serving flood control, supplying water to nearby localities, irrigation and groundwater recharge. A water treatment plant was built in conjunction with the dam and it can supply up to 40,000 m³ (1,400,000 cu ft) of water to the city of Bisha a day. The dam was constructed between 1986 and 1997. It is named after King Fahad and is managed the Ministry of Water and Electricity. At 103 m (338 ft) in height, it was the tallest dam in the country until the 106 m (348 ft) Baysh Dam was completed in 2009. King Fahad's reservoir still has the largest storage capacity, at 325,000,000 m³ (263,000 acre⋅ft).^[1]

King Fahad Dam
Location of King Fahad Dam in Saudi Arabia
Country	Saudi Arabia
Location	Bisha, 'Asir Region
Coordinates	19°41′46.80″N 42°29′14.46″E / 19.6963333°N 42.4873500°E / 19.6963333; 42.4873500
Purpose	Flood control, municipal water, irrigation, groundwater recharge
Construction began	1986
Opening date	1997; 27 years ago (1997)
Owner(s)	Ministry of Water and Electricity
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Gravity
Impounds	Wadi Bisha
Height (foundation)	103 m (338 ft)
Height (thalweg)	68 m (223 ft)
Length	507 m (1,663 ft)
Width (crest)	80 m (260 ft)
Width (base)	8 m (26 ft)
Spillway type	Overflow
Spillway capacity	5,338 m^3/s (188,500 cu ft/s)
Reservoir
Total capacity	325,000,000 m^3 (263,000 acre⋅ft)
Catchment area	7,600 km^2 (2,900 sq mi)
Maximum length	18 km (11 mi)

References

1. Alhamid, Abdulaziz A. (2004). (PDF). King Saud University. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2014.