The dam in Wadi Al Mahyoul is one of the important sources of water for the Wilayat of Ibri. This surface storage dam provides fresh water to the villages scattered on the banks of the wadi.
This dam is a big relief to the wilayat, which was previously suffering from drought amid harsh climatic conditions. Because of scarce water resources, the majority of people were forced to migrate to other places.
The length of the dam is 32m and height. This dam can store 30,000 cubic metre of water.
While this dam has helped people to return to their original environment where they grew up long ago, it has also attracted many wildlife.
“Today, we can see many wild animals, birds and butterflies. These animals and birds have disappeared for a long time due to the lack of water. The valley has regained its greenness and freshness, as many plants and trees began to grow, which adds an aesthetic touch to the place’’, residents told Observer.
The dam not only restored sustenance to various types of wildlife, but also contributed to the development of eco-tourism in this area.
“The valley has become a destination for many tourists who visit this site, especially during weekends and holidays, which bodes well for the people of the Wilayat of Ibri through the sale of handicrafts and agricultural produce.”
Residents praise the benefits from the dam. “Today, we are reaping the benefits of this dam. We extend our thanks to the competent authorities for their cooperation, interest and support for all the proposals we sent years ago with the aim of developing water resources in this area.”
The setting up of the dam in Wadi Al Mahyoul is part of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources’ mission to ensure water for drinking and farming across the Sultanate of Oman. It has built 106 storage dams in the various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. This is proof that officials in the ministry are aware of the needs of the citizens in remote areas. It will encourage residents of mountainous areas to settle and thus significantly reduce their migration to urban areas. These dams will also boost agriculture and thereby ensure food security.
The authorities request all visitors to the wadi not to litter waste and warn them against swimming in deep pools.
