Have you ever wondered about the oldest dams in Saudi Arabia. Today we will discuss about Muawiyah Dam. A very old and special dam that was built more than 1,000 years ago.
š Facts About Muawiyah Dam
- Who Built It: Caliph Muawiyah Bin Abi Sufyan
- When: Built in 670 CE (over 1,350 years ago)
- Where: Al-Khanaq Valley near Madinah
- Size: 30 meters long and 20 meters high
- Special Feature: You can still see parts of it today.
What is Muawiyah Dam
Muawiyah Dam is one of the oldest dams in Saudi Arabia. It was built a very long time ago more than 1,350 years. The person who built it was Caliph Muawiyah Bin Abi Sufyan. Who was a very important leader in Islamic history.
This dam is not just old. It is also very special because it shows us how smart people were long ago. They knew how to build strong things that would last for many many years.
Where Can You Find This Dam
The dam is located in a place called al-Khanaq Valley. This valley is east of the holy city of Madinah. The builders chose this place very carefully. They put the dam between two mountains in a narrow space. This was a very smart idea because the mountains helped make the dam stronger.
Who Built It and Why
Caliph Muawiyah Bin Abi Sufyan was the person who decided to build this dam. He was the first leader of the Umayyad family and ruled from 661 to 680 CE. That’s almost 1,400 years ago!
But why did he build a dam. Here are the main reasons:
- To control water: So water wouldn’t flow away too fast
- To save rainwater: For people to use later
- To stop floods: To protect people when it rained a lot
- To help farming: So people could grow food better
How Big Was the Dam
When it was first built, the dam was quite big for that time:
- Length: 30 meters
- Height: 20 meters
- Thickness: 10 meters thick
The builders made it this size so it could hold lots of water and be very strong.
Where the Water Comes From
Al-Khanaq Valley gets its water from different places. Some of these places include:
- Al-Aqool Valley (northeast of the city)
- Samakh Tributary (also northeast)
- Qa’a Valley Tributary
- Hadawda Valley
These valleys and streams bring water to keep Al-Khanaq Valley full and lively.
Conclusion
The Mu’awiyah Dam is not just an old structure; it tells us about our past. It’s amazing that we can still see it today! The efforts to restore it show how much we care about preserving history for future generations.
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