WATER RESOURCES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00926A000400020018-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: R
• Document Page Count: 24
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 6, 2002
• Sequence Number: 18
• Publication Date: June 24, 1948
• Content Type: REPORT

Arabia
COUNTRY Saudi
SUBJECT Water Resources
PLACE
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DATE 25X1 C
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SOURCE DOCUMEOT"T
NO. OF PAGES 1
NO. OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
June 1943,
25X1X
On file in the CIA Library is ', copy of an c rticle entitled "Water Rea=,: cez1 of
Saudi Arabia" by K S Taitchel?. reprinted fro t "The Geological Review"
Volume CCITT, No 3,, 1944, Pales 365-386.
CLAbtII-'':r'I!O1V Ep.3:lt~_iQTLJ
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WATER RESOURCES
OF SAUDI ARABIA
ILLEGIB
21358
REPRINTED FROM
THE GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Volume XXXIV, No. 3, 1944
Pages 365-386
RETURN TO
LIBRARY
AMERICAN GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY
BROADWAY AT I 56TH STREET
NEW YORK
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WATER RESOURCES OF SAUDI ARABIA
SAUDI ARABIA is probably the
largest little-known unit area in the
habitable world. There are no accurate
maps of the country as a whole; in fact,
all its boundaries have not been defi-
nitely established. Those still not sur-
veyed or delimited are the southeastern
in the Rub' al Khali, the eastern along
the Qatar Peninsula, and a part of the
northwestern boundary with Trans-
Jordan. The maps made by the Arabian
American Oil Company of the eastern
two-thirds of Saudi Arabia are the only
accurate ones of that part of the coun-
try, and the airplane maps by the Saudi
FIG. i-H. M. King Abdul Aziz Thu Arabian Mining Syndicate are the best
Saud at Nuzla Palace, Jidda.
of a large part of the Hejaz. Of indi-
viduals, the neaps made by II. St. J. B. Philby on his many travels, includ-
ing his survey of the Asir-Yemen boundary, are outstanding. The area of
Saudi Arabia is about 700,000 square miles; if the Rub' al Khali desert is
excluded, the "habitable" area is reduced to 55o,ooo square miles.
RELIEF AND RAINFALL
The realm of His Majesty King Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud is popularly thought
of as a flat, waterless plain, an erroneous idea, corrected in part by the very
names of the four component states: the Nejd, heart of Saudi Arabia,
"high country ; the Hejaz, "boundary"; Asir, "difficult"; the Hasa, "stony."
The Hejaz consists of a coastal plain, the Tihama, 10 to 40 miles wide,
and an igneous mountain wall rising steeply to 8ooo feet. Eastward the
mountains slope to the plateau of the Nejd, 5000 feet on the south, 16oo
feet on the north. The lowest pass, so far as I have observed, is at 2180 feet.
The average rainfall is estimated at 4 inches. The only regular records are
those kept by the Saudi Arabian Mining Syndicate at the Mahad Dahab
mine and at its Jidda office.
In Asir the mountain wall rises still more steeply from the Tihama to
heights of more than 9000 feet. The plateau to the east is 6ooo to 7000 feet
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high at the foot of the mountains and slopes gently eastward to 4000 feet in
the Najran and 3500 feet at the edge of the Rub' al Khali, the great desert
or "empty quarter." The rainfall ranges from an estimated 12 inches on
the western margin to practically nothing in the desert.
The plateau of the Nejd continues the general eastward slope to an ele-
vation of 1200 feet along the Hasa boundary. The igneous rocks, exposed
in the west, are overlain to the east by sedimentaries forming belts of sand-
stones, limestones, and chalk, eroded into cuestas with steep west-facing
escarpments. ' Ihe Jabal at Tuwaiq is a notable example. Along the western
margin comparatively recent lava outpourings have created a most diffi-
cult topography, the Barra.
The core of the Nejd is girdled by sandy deserts: the broad expanse of
the Nafud in the north and the Rub' al Khali. in the south are connected by
sandy strips. The easternmost strip, the Dahana, presents a hard and grav-
elly surface in places but more generally consists of light, thin sands, not of
the dune type. In the winter and spring there is in most sections sufficient
grass for grazing during three months or more.
Gravelly and stony plains are particularly characteristic of the Hasa.
The country continues the eastward slope to the Persian Gulf. Effects of
the Persian Gulf tectonic disturbances are seen in some folding and steps
due to slight faulting. There are many "thatched roof" islands left by ero-
sion and due to the protective covering of chert. The rainfall seems to aver-
age 4 inches. The only regular and accurate records are those: kept by the
Arabian American Oil Company.
The water resources of Saudi Arabia may be conveniently classified
according to these four divisions. I shall describe typical examples as I saw
them during various trips from 1931 to 1942. The most extensive investi-
gation related to water resources was made in 1942 on a trip of 10,700 miles
in Saudi Arabia. This was the expedition sent in behalf of King Ibn Saud
by the United States government. The United States Agricultural Mission
to Saudi Arabia, as it was called, consisted of A. L. Wathen of the Depart-
ment of the Interior as irrigation expert, J. G. Hamilton of the Department
of Agriculture as agronomist, and the author as leader, because of his
friendship with the King and his knowledge of the country.'
RESOURCES IN THE HEJAZ
Jidda is the principal port of Saudi Arabia. The permanent population
K. S. Twitchcll, A. L. Wathen, and I. G. Hamilton: Report of the United States Agricultural
Mission to Saudi Arabia, 1943 (in English and Arabic:).
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editerranean- vJ ru alem~p~ -~'- - ~o
[-?~ortSaid ~ 4-~'~
w
Wejh
Al Birka
`U
Buraida
~O~_Bus me
Jubail
-Rae Tan~~ra=-
Dh hran v `_'
Fic. z-Map of Saudi Arabia. Scale i:zz,5oo,ooo. The deserts, primarily sandy, are shown by stipple.
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FIG. 3 FIG. 4
FIG. 3-The "cut and cover" method of water tunnel construction. This is an extension of the
Wazaria water supply, 7 miles from iidda.
FIG. 4-Al Birka cistern, on the road between Jidda and Mahad.
may be about 3o,000; the number is greatly swollen by transients, for prac-
tically all sea-borne pilgrims land here to go to Mecca, 45 miles inland.
The water supply of Jidda has always been a matter of concern. Long ago,
it is said, ships were supplied with fresh water from the port. Two plants
for condensing sea water were built under the government of King In
Saud in 1926 and 1928; the present average production is reported as 135
tons of fresh water in 24 hours. About 6o years ago the Turks constructed
a water system of twin 5-inch terra-cotta pipes and a few miles of cut-and-
cover tunnel to tap wells in a wadi bed 7 miles to the east, the Ain Wazaria.
However, the water level receded, and Bedouin raiding led to the aban-
donment of this source. In 1032 the Wazaria water system was repaired
and improved by the installation of a 16-foot windmill and an auxiliary
Diesel pumping engine, gifts of Charles R. Crane. The water thus
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FIG. S FIG. 6
FIG. 5-The garden at Wazaria (sec Pig. 5). Note the height of the Indian corn after 2 months'
growth. Other successful plantings were six varieties of desert grass, beans, and tamarisk.
Pic. 6-Spring and oasis of date palms, Abu Dubah, I Icjaz, near the burial place of the mother
of Mohamed.
obtained ranged from 30 to So gallons a minute. An experimental garden
established here has demonstrated that the soil, although sandy, needs only
water to be productive (Figs. 5 and 8).
A third source of water is rainfall guided into cisterns and pits by small
diversion dikes. The total daily amount obtained is estimated at 40 tons.
All water, whatever the source, is distributed by two-wheeled donkey
carts carrying 40 to 6o-gallon oil drums or by men, carts, and camels carry-
ing 5-gallon gasoline tins.
The two other major ports of Saudi Arabia are Yenbo` and Wehj,
respectively zoo and 400 miles north of Jidda. The water supply of Yenbo`
is furnished by a condenser and cisterns, that of Wehj by cisterns adjoining
the town and wells a short distance inland.
In the fertile Wadi Fatima, which lies between Jidda and Mecca, are
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I u;. I, rnri1m, ~Va/ana pier mr aoithiii Jidda cirv wall,
I tr,. S I],,- W:iy ~~ girder ~~re Fig. s), made in the desert to demonstrate th(-practicability of
dl veluping tlic wawT i i that arc.: i c)> 1 (now coveted hv drift Md)_
1at:. p Sunken ga ~ -is in the Wadi Fatima. h tween hdda uid Mecca.
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Pic. io-Sunken date groves in the Wadi Fatima.
Ftc. tt-Bir joharana, about 8 miles north of Mecca. Animals watering at large well.
Fic. i2-Farmhouse and date palms at Bisha, Asir.
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batty sni ikon
tioit has lower
springs lit the
gunnels have. h
;also of surface
nt t:he wadi.
ie-used by to
ruarket ui Ni,,
1 lie wash Lott
tivould be reyi
meet r is t
lo all uniiellcv
about y miles
devout queen
t:ti have Initial
io Mecc.i (abt
ww/aterlnrr plait
icr wells and
likes and dis
iilasonrs. '1ht
roucretc, espe
1'aii is ell
iirent othcials
an altitude of
Fruits and vet
irrigation Loa
is great is yo
of two utasoi
:rge is unknov
nccting wilt!
lation and nit
At the pr
M'bdutla Sale
cnrrgy sit IL-.
he watt?r rest
::loll of liew
present suppi
deep caiiyou,
I hr rc ar.
alders and date gi:oves.An enormous amount of cacava-
,tl the s.iriaee euou l. for irriu_~.ation by flowing water from
lilts to the north, ind many miles of cut-and--cover water
,ii ctinsiri_meted (big. 3 ). A considerable amount of water, and
u-ea suitable for- gardens, is available toward the center line
oreovcr., the water Emir tht present cultivation could be
lift pt nips, httiri#t; from t8 tt> 25 feet. There is an ample
..a ano in Iidda'[ for ail garde;: produce that can be raised.
also it irnish Jidda with water. About 28 miles of pipe line
led, arid no pm Implt:_rg would l be necessary.
capita, tit the Belau, and the holy city of Islam, forbidden
s. Tlie w,.iiir supply is reported to come front- Am Zubaida,
the St mu l ast nail led for Inc wife of i larun-al-Rashid. The
lade sc.aciai piigriii ages irons Baghdad to Mecca and is said
1 the ()iisernction of cut-and-cover tunnels to bring water
t A.D. c;on). Q nceii `,ubarda also had her engineers construct
it intervals of one (lay's mare h along the route. I have seen
!sterns s-rii in rise. "!'lie i.ister is show skill in t:he layout of
rsioti t aria; ansi ii both material and construction of the
s a a.)' ri deal of the small itigular-aggregate type of lime
ally in Liu- linings of cisterns :rnd sluices.
urnni r c:.i petal of the flciaz. Most of the Meccan govern-
pend tram May t.t October sere in a delightful climate at
aoo In t. the ,ar(Lens ot.fail, with their many varieties of
tables, At I-anions. 'I Mere are i few springs, bit', most of the
r iss toilr_arncd ti,mi wells in gneiss and granite, from depths
et, thur.gh the average lift is about 30 feet. I have seen retrains
y clams of ~,vci cut store near Isere; others are reported. The
i out is Li_cly pre-Lrl:tntic. In rite highlands to the south con-
sir rta:iy ontllnes of ancient gardens indicate a larger popu-
. ediC1t nt RSe of WAIL,.- lit the past.
ent tin c i,:rinec Faisal, second son of Ibn Saud, and Shaikh
man, rn iuister of finance, are expending muct].. money and
uuIn aiid ei:. arg ,n;; cuhivaitle areas about fail. Most of
trees ar bring lpeul, to use. 'she renovation of dams and selec-
rnisites will pci:init stoira g;e of flood waters to augment the
ilei:ww: en I art anti Safe there is a perennial stream in a
vltueili s iotiid be investigated for such a purpose.
large iiili;edub:;urface resturces and considerable arable
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areas in the great Wadi Hamdh, which heads near Medina; for example, at
Malaliya, 50 miles northwest of Medina. The water table is 8 to 20 feet
below the surface, according to the time of year. The soil is alkaline in
spots, but dates thrive, and in most places various sorghums and alfalfa.
Similar areas were seen for miles along this wadi and also along the Wadi
al Jizil, where now is no habitation. In the Jizil and its branches and in the
wadies `Ula to the north and Ais to the southwest are many ruins of villages
and water tunnels. Judicious planting of tamarisk trees to protect riverbanks
and dikes and to provide fuel, in combination with adequate pumps, should
bring into production an area large in the aggregate, though the units
would be small, 5 to to acres. Arabic history refers to the richness and fer-
tility of this district. A possible damsite about 6oo feet long at its base was
found on the Wadi al Jizil 21 miles from its junction with the `Ula. Al-
though the area below this site is not large, it merits close examination.
RESOURCES IN ASIR
Associated with the greater elevations in Asir is the greater rainfall,
estimated on the basis of the vegetation at 12 inches. The western slopes
are too steep for any appreciable cultivation, but the gentler eastern slopes
are terraced in the way common in the Mediterranean countries. Some of
the terraced fields are irrigated, but most of them seem to rely on rainfall.
Protection against soil erosion and the use of water are efficient. Without
such a system this area could support only a small fraction of its present
population, though unused fields indicate a still larger population in the
past. Figure 13 is typical of the eastern mountain slopes from the Yemen to
Taif, a distance of more than 3 00 miles. The rainfall decreases eastward,
but the runoff gathered in the numerous wadies is utilized by means of
diversion dams and wells.
On the southern border of Asir is the well watered valley of the Najran,
which has its sources in the lofty mountains of the Yemen. It was reported
to the Agricultural Mission that twenty-five floods came down the wadi
during 1941. All persons questioned agreed that there were never fewer
than five floods a year and usually about fifteen. The signs of erosion on the
banks confirm the reports of numerous floods and indicate some of great
volume.
Himyaritic ruins in the Najran suggest a more intensive cultivation
and a larger population than at present. Among these ruins are the remains
of an ancient dam called Sud Mufija at the head of the valley. Fragments
of a lime concrete are seen in one of the sluiceways cut out of the coarse-
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L-
Pte. 15-Typical farmhouse and fields of alfalfa and dates in the fertile Najran. Elevation 4000 feet.
tks
Pte. 16- Zaharan (Dhahran), between Abha and Najran.
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grained granite The
basin above this dam
has too steep a grade to
warrant its rehabilita-
tion, but four miles
downstream at Jabal
Raoum there is an ex-
cellent dam site. The mis-
sion recommended that
a gauging station be es-
tablished and records
!1(:- 17 itcicnt rn ned clam it Mnfija. Nairan_ kept.
The ruins of the city of Ukhdud. are evidence of a considerable ancient
civilization. -i 'ne city was probably Located along the edge of the river,
which has sin. changed its course. There is a large fresh-water spring near
the ruins. "hh~ wells throughout the i S miles of the valley indicate that
the. water tabic? is 12 to r?; feet below the surface and varies little through-
out the year :ceps during, the floods. It is estimated that only 20 per cent
of the arable irea is under cultivation. If the Jabal Raoum darn is feasible,
a large additi, 7 ial area could be nclairned. Soil and climate are as favorable
as the abund, it water supply, and the raising of dates, sorghums, sugar
cane, wheat, aifalfa, numerous fruits and vegetables, and cotton offers an
attractive pro;i>ect. kirchc[i Bey, the royal chamberlain at Riyadh, told me
that the anci, i01: histories record an unsurpassed sugar cane grown in the
Najran. Devel,)pment today is handicapped by lack of capital, technical
knowledge, ii. inpowc:r. and transportation.
Farther n( rth is the great Wadi Bisha, which draws on an immense
watershed in ne mountains of Asir The river flood plain is half a mile to
two miles wide and carries a great volume of water several times a year;
for the rest or the time, water is derived by infiltration. Wells are 30 to So
feet deep, as ording to the elevation of the ground surface. The water
level is report, d. to remain constant. To the east this wadi joins the Wadi
)a wasir. Anor her large tributary ofthe Dawasir is the Tath.lith. The deep
cuts in the silt banks of the Bisha and the Tathlith testify to the great vol-
(cme of wate and soil carried down by these streams. Ruins reveal the
extent of fore aer caltivatichn, and palms prove that water is still available
and that a lar-,?r population than at present could be supported along both
these wadies. he main feeder of the I)awasir to the north is the Wadi
I Zanya.
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On the Dawasir, from
the village of Khamas,n
to Sulaiyil, the water
table is 2 to 4 feet below
the surface. Although
the water is brackish in
many places, there are
almost continuous date
groves and settlements
between the two towns.
Near Aquiq Tamara
there are ruins of an ex-
tensive town. I saw some new date plantings near here when I visited this dis-
trict in 1940. Considerably more water is available than is now being used.
The mission recommended that athel, 2 or tamarisk, be planted in many
places along the riverbanks and in the flood plains of the wadies Tathlith
and Bisha. These rapidly growing trees would furnish timber, lumber, and
fuel; and the last, in the form of charcoal, could be used in gas producers
to operate pumping engines, thereby putting under irrigation land now
desert because it lies above the river bed. Soil and climate are suitable for
citrus fruits as well as for dates, sorghums, alfalfa, some grains and cotton,
and vegetables. The dates of Bisha have the reputation of being the finest
in southwestern Arabia.
On the Red Sea side of Asir, in the Tihama coastal plain, thickly inhab-
ited areas extend from the Yemen frontier to Lith, a distance of more than
300 miles. These are the cultivated patches that line the wadies from the
mountains almost to the seacoast. They are separated by areas of desert, in
places by lava flows reaching to the sea. Cultivation is entirely dependent
on the river floods, which, it is said, seldom fail. The extensive systems of
diversion dams and dikes are designed to use all the water regardless of the
size of the flood, by a method similar to the bolsa type of irrigation of south-
ern Arizona and Mexico. Leveled and diked fields utilize the last drop of
water of the greatest floods, though they may yield crops only once in
several years. Diking and drainage show great skill. Only one crop is
raised annually, almost exclusively red and white grain sorghums.
The waters of some rivers are not utilized, however (the Wadi Samra
and the Wadi Bedth between Darb and Baish, for example), though large
2 The U. S. Bureau of Plant Industry uses this spelling (information from Paul Russell, Division
of Plant Exploration and Introduction); Philby has Phil.
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Pre. 19- I he spr nl;s of Air: El I lussciu, d mil. s easr of N. ran fortress.
FIG- 20 On the Threshold ,f the Rub` al Khali, Bir Hima Wells (water at to feet)in the aeolian
sandstones.
1'14;. 21- I he das groves of Khaibar, Neld, growing in th., valley between huge tongues oflava.
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WATER RESOURCES OF SAUDI ARABIA
flood flows reaching the sea are reported to occur yearly. The water of the
few wells in this coastal area is used for drinking only. It is probable that a
considerable addition to vegetables and fruits could be obtained by sinking
more wells. The depth to water ranges from 27 to 110 feet.
RESOURCES IN TIIE NEJD
The travels of the mission in the Nejd extended as far north as Hail,
southeast of the Nafud. Ilere the water resources are being efficiently
developed and used to the limit. All water was being raised, the depths
ranging from 30 to 8o feet.
To the southeast of Hail at `Anaiza excavations were being made in the
bed of the Wadi ar Rima, to lower the level of the date gardens, as is done
in the Wadi Fatima near Jidda. These garden pits are 3 to 7 feet below the
surface (see Fig. 22). There seems to be an enormous amount of water in
the wadi, at a depth of 15 to 27 feet below the surface. There are many
settlements now along the Wadi ar Rima, but formerly there were even
more. All the water is raised by pumps, usually of the skin-bucket type,
hoisted by camel or donkey. But at one place 7 miles north of `Anaiza
there is a small, shallow artesian-water area. The borcholes arc churned
down by hand-operated tools through gravel and hard sandstone to tap
the aquifer. Several of the wells yield flowing water. From here to Ar
Rass along this great wadi there seems to be ample water at a reasonable
depth to support a much larger population. Soil and climate are good.
Khaibar represents a different type of country-the volcanic harra. It
lies on the western border of the Nejd, a hundred miles north of Medina,
at an elevation of 2200 feet. The date groves of Khaibar extend down a
deep valley between huge tongues of lava, from which issue many springs.
The greatest need in this district is adequate drainage to prevent alkalinity
and to reduce the amount of malaria, a serious drawback. About 15 miles
southeast of Khaibar village is the first of six masonry dams, Sud Hasid,
182 feet long at its base and 270 feet along the crest, and 28 feet high above
its stone pipe outlet. Its capacity has been estimated by A. L. Wathen at
750 acre-feet. The porosity of the lava banks prevents increase of capacity,
but the dam could be put into service at small expense by installing a sim-
ple outlet gate and grouting or chinking the cracks caused by settlement.
Renovation of the other dams would entail a little more work and expense.
Double triangle inscriptions near Khaibar confirm the legend that the
dams were built by Jews, at a time said to be about A.D. 400.
Any description of the water resources of the Nejd would be incomplete
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Sion to Saudi Arabia evolved.
1'he~ ama..Ing water pits of Al Kharj, Khafs Daghra, and Al Aflaj are
actually gigantic natural wells. They are located along a generally north-
south line. At Al Kharj (1360 feet' elevation, aneroid), 56 miles southeast
of Riyadh, a; e three pits; 2",7 miles southwest of Al Kharj is the Khafs
Daghra pit; ,id r56 miles from Al Kharj (168o feet) arc the five great
Aflaj pits.
Two of ti i pits a. Al Kharj, Ain Semha and Ain Dhila, are each about
300 feet in d:,,rneter by 4.2.0 feet ire. depth (Fig. 2$). That they are connected
underground s proved by the lowering of the water level of both when
one is pumpcc.. The pits probably are the result of simple solution and cav-
ing in of the -.avern roofs in the limestone strata. At Ain Umm Khissa, a
mile west of vin Semha, a distinctly hollow sound is heard as one walks
around the so th side of the pit. This pit is only 45 feet deep, but it probably
derives its w. i:cr frori the same source as the other two pits-the rainfall
oil the water,hed of the Tuwaiq Mountains to the west and southwest. The
oil geologists reachec. this conclusion after extensive investigation.
At Ain S~ ~ nha about 14 cubic feet a second is being pumped, which
lowers the w,i:er level 14 to 15 feet. In the reclamation project worked out
for the Al Ktrarj area by the engineers of the California Arabian Standard
Oil Compam for the Saudi Arabian government it is estimated that pumps
with a capaci T of ioo cubic feet a second will have a drawdown of too to
without reference to the wells along the
main caravan routes. They are vital to
travelers and to the Bedouin tribes, with
their herds of goats, sheep, and carrels.
The infow is usually not large, rang-
ing from 5 to 30 gallons a minute.
W r; r1ER PITS OF AL Kr-riRJ,
K HAt S I)ACIIRA, AND AL AI I.AJ
Al K harj is the name of a district
which is the nucleus of reclamation
projects initiated entirely by the min-
ister of Finance and the King. The new
village constructed at the center of
this area is also named Al Kharj. It
was because of the interest created by
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120 feet. The area to be irrigated is estimated at 3 Soo acres.3 Because of
wartime conditions, the equipment recommended cannot be supplied, but
through lend-lease arrangements and recommendations of the mission, four
pumps with a capacity of 4500 gallons a minute each and four suitable
caterpillar Diesel engines to operate them were shipped in October, 1943.
A single unit of the same type was shipped in November, 1943, to test
inflows at Aflaj. This equipment arrived in the early spring of 1944?
The Khafs Daghra water pit is similar. It is about 150 feet in diameter
and of unknown depth and now irrigates some 8oo acres. Wheat is the
principal crop, of better quality than that at Al Kharj.
Of the five water pits at Aflaj, all except one are much larger than
those at Al Kharj. The largest, Ain al Rass, is about half a mile long. Its
water surface is 27 feet below the rim; the depth of the water is unknown,
but it was reported that a 4oo-foot rope failed to reach bottom. At three
different levels in the mouth of the pit are the remains of ancient irrigation
ditches, which indicate that during the past two thousand years, more or
less, the water table has been lowered 27 feet, possibly because of a change
in climate and rainfall. Three of the other pits are connected, and they may
also be connected with Ain al Rass, half a mile to the south. But Ain Shug-
haib, about 1200 feet to the west, is i5 feet higher. The mission suggested
that a short tunnel be constructed to tap this water supply and lead it to
the ditch running from Ain Botn, thereby augmenting the water for irri-
gating the date groves at the villages of Saih, Saih Jenubia, and Laila, the
principal settlements of the Aflaj district. To the east and north of these
villages is a great stretch of level land with silt-loam soil well suited to
wheat, small grains, and rice. A renovated well showed the water table to
be 42 feet below the surface and the water of excellent quality. There are
good prospects for a large reclamation project in this area if the quantity
of water comes up to indications.
EASTERN I IASA
The greatest water resources of Saudi Arabia are in the eastern Hasa.
For a distance of perhaps a hundred miles from the Persian Gulf coast and
parallel to it for some hundreds of miles there are possibilities of flowing
artesian wells. The oil company has drilled such wells at its camp at Abqaiq
and other camp locations and also on the road to I Iofiif a few miles west
3 R. A. Bramkamp, T. C. Barger, and L. M. Snyder: Report on Development of Saudi Arabian
Government's Irrigation Project at Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia, California Arabian Standard Oil Company,
Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, 1941.
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w N w
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384 11ff GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
of Abgaig, cad the Saudi government has drilled a well at Hofiif. Several
wells have aaeen drilled. privately between, Dammam and Qatif Artesian
drilling wa:~ initiated by Major Frank Holmes on the island of Bahrein
about 1930.:n addition to this man-made water supply, there are astonish-
ing springs :,f flowing ,vater in the immense oasis of Hofuf, at Safwa near
Qatif, in th, Persian Gulf a short distance north of jubail, and on Bahrein
Island.
Along the coast .he average depth fir tapping the artesian flow is about
300 feet, bt::r at Ilotuf it is, I think. about 700 feet. It is believed that the
water-bearil,: strata must be fed from the 'Tuwaiq Mountains.
The Ho?If oasis is by Ear the largest and most productive in Saudi
Arabia. Its average elevation is tioo feet: (aneroid). The area planted to date
palms is rep, rted by engineers of the oil company to be 2;,o00 acres, the
number of :.)alms 2,000,000.. 1 believe these figures are very conservative.
Nine main wrings irrigate the palms and many fields of rice. I list them
below with the estimated flow. With one exception, Ain Hagal, which I
measured, the estimates are those of A. L. Wathen.
GALSJMIN.
GAI ;./MIN.
CALS./MIN.
Al Ilagal
22,500
Al Saba
20,000
Huaira
2,000
Al. Hadud
20,000
Mansur
1,000
Thuraib
1,000
Al Ilarra
20,000
1oharia
z,o00
Bahali
Soo
The total discharge :s 93,300 gallons a minute, or 207 cubic feet a second
virtually a young river. There are two areas of Sooo acres each that could
be partly irrli;ated by water now going to waste.
All through this great oasis there is need for much more efficient drain-
age; this is true also of the Qatif area and the Persian Gulf coast.
As was a revious ly mentioned, a large acreage along the coast from
Dammam tc, Qatif is being reclaimed by the drilling of artesian wells. The
mission reconnnended that all wells be provided with valves, to be opened
only when ,cater is being used and thus cut down the present waste of
the water suooly, which is far from limitless.
At Safw,i. a few mils north of Qatif, there is a large flowing spring
called Ain I 1::rush (Fig. 33). The flow was estimated by A. L. Wathen at
9000 gallons ,I minute. Here, also, efficient drainage is badly needed, though
it stream of v.c,aste water reaches the Gulf.
Opposite c_,!atif across a shallow channel is Tarut Island with Dahrein
village. Ther.- is a large spring here near the ancient Portuguese fortress
(Fig. 32). Th,.c source of this water is undoubtedly the same as that of the
springs on tl mainland.
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14c. 31 Camels watering at Bir Runta on the westertn edge of tkc I kJtana.
FIG. 32 .Spring and mosque, llalvcin,'I arnt Idtitd. Ancient Port ?.igIti a fort in the background.
11u;. 33 1 luge spring and oasis, I)arnsh, Safw,t west of Qatif.
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386 THE GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
The last tuater resource I shall note is that of the great Jabrin oasis, 16o
miles southwest of ..1ofi_if, at an average elevation of 700 feet (aneroid).
This oasis co\ ers an , rea estimated at 7S00 acres and seems to be a catchment
basin for rainfall. The water table during our visit in July, 1942, was 2 to 8
feet below tt)e ground surface. It was reported that in winter much of the
land is boggy, with standing, water i.n places, a result of runoff and greatly
decreased eww~.poration. '].'here are many small pools, breeding places for
mosquitoes o virulent that there are said to be no permanent inhabitants.
The rcporte..i 400 families of the Murra tribe come only to pollinate the
dates in the i ring arid to harvest them in the fall. King Ibn Saud attempted
to establish permanent: Ikhwan settlement here, but after many deaths
from malari.+ it was nbandon.ed.
Under tL : present conditions of high salinity, dates are the only feasible
crop. it is passible that an adequate drainage system could be installed,
which would greatly improve living as well as crop conditions, but it would
entail great