Falaj Al Khatmain in Birkat Al Mouz is attracting a large number of visitors after the heavy rains the wake of the recent low pressure.
Tourists usually visit this falaj for recreation and bathing because of its health benefits and the many tourist facilities provided by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism. However, this time people from other governorates are flocking to relax and spend time together along the long and scattered divisions of the falaj. While families are out for picnicking, young people come to swim and enjoy with friends.
The water flow of this falaj reaches 200 litres per second, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources statistics. It is fed by Wadi Al Mu’aidin. The total length of this falaj is about 2,450 metres. It is linked to two archaeological landmarks; Bayt Al Ridaydah and Al Yaaribah Mosque. It is the main source of water for the Birkat Al Mouz area.
Falaj Al Khatmain, one of the five Afalaj in the Sultanate of Oman listed as the World Heritage Site of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) due to its unique water system and the oldest irrigation engineering for more than 2,000 years.
Hydrologically, the Afalaj are integrated systems which collect water (groundwater, natural spring water or surface water), and deliver it through channels (underground or surface) for domestic and agricultural purposes. They can be broadly divided into three types of hydrological systems reflecting their type of water-source – Aini, Daoudi and Ghaili. The quick streaming Falaj al Khatmain is a falaj of the ghaili type (for example a basically occasional falaj which draws its water from the aqueduct channels or mountains) which has its source on the inclines of the Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, at that point courses through water system channels around the town before winding up again close to its source.
