The Hydrology of the Tributary Streams to the Shatt-al-Arab

Abstract

This study shows the level of the water that nourishes the Shatt-al-Arab with concentration on the level of water in the riverbed of the Shatt-al-Arab, which is located in the end of the southern part of the basins of the Tigris and the Euphrates. The study also points out the occurrence of intense dropping of tributary streams to the Shatt-al-Arab along with the occurrence of dangerous deterioration for the quality of the water. In addition, the study explains the main reason behind that deterioration which is the location of most the water sources outside the borders of Iraq. The neighboring states have been exploiting the water in their riverhead. Moreover, there is no agreement among the states sharing the basin. The states having the riverhead endeavor to exploit the water of the streams for irrigation projects such as dams, cannels; and changing the flow of the tributary streams ignoring the need of the states having the mouth of the river. They do not abide by the international agreements and conventions owing to political and economic reasons as the case in Iran, Turkey and Syria. The study states the discharge of water to the Shatt-al-Arab during the 2009 which was dangerously low; therefore the concentration of salinity recorded high rate that had never been before, especially in the middle and southern part of the river.