Wadi Al Khawd Aquifer Recharge project

The dam captures flood water runoff normally lost to the sea to percolate into groundwater aquifers. The major findings and observations in the PACR follow. Project goals were clear and quantifiable, therefore, making it easier to manage and monitor. The project has been judged to be a success for various reasons: the dam was constructed on time and within the budget; the implementing agency effectively managed the project; the working relation and coordination between the implementing entity and Omani-American Joint Commission (OAJC) was excellent, as was the relation between the engineer and the contractor; the main objective was attained shortly after the dam was completed; ample financial resources were made available by both MAF and OAJC; a monitoring program is in place and data are being collected and analyzed continuously. As a result of the success of this pilot project the MAF has decided to construct six more recharge dams. The following lessons should be noted: The Technical Assistance Program should have begun when the engineering contract was signed and not much later as was the case; the design engineer could have taken additional soil boring tests which would have avoided some errorneous interpretation of percolation data. (Author abstract, modified) See also abstract of PD-AAX-264.