Frequently asked questions — Mosul

Ministry of Irrigation Frequently asked questions What steps are being taken to assure the availability for adequate water for crops and for municipal needs? Fortunately, the four-year drought is over and we had an average year in terms of rainfall and water supply. Our reservoirs nearly filled up, and we can meet the agricultural, hydropower and municipal water supply needs of Iraq throughout the year. What can the Ministry do to restore the marshes of Iraq? The Ministry and decisions of Saddam Hussein were largely responsible for undertaking large-scale reclamation projects that drained the marshes – partly for genuine agricultural needs, and partly to deny a segment of the population hostile to him a place to live. The Ministry has been directed to ensure that the Al-Hawizeh marsh, straddling the border of Iran, be sustained by discharging additional water, and to look for opportunities to expand and restore it to its original quality, after 4 years of drought. What were the conditions of the irrigation system before the war, and how have they changed since? The irrigation system is in fairly good condition, but it does require a high degree of continuous maintenance, replacing equipment, pumps, heavy machinery for excavation and keeping canals from silting up. Mosul Dam, the northern most dam on the Tigris River was always a dam safety hazard because it was built on a soluble foundation of limestone. It needs constant pumping of cement into the cavities formed under its foundations. Corps of Engineers dam safety inspection teams are going to examine each of Iraq's dams during May and June. What is the importance of irrigation system in Iraq? Approximately 25% of the population of Iraq depend on irrigated agriculture for their livelihood and subsistence. Agricultural products account for a significant proportion of Iraq's exports. Agriculture uses about 90% of average annual water supply off Iraq, and constitutes the main purpose of water development and management. Salinization of a large part of the irrigated land results in reduced crop yields and high salinity of the rivers, creating problems for downstream municipalities and water supply, as well as ecological problems, threatening the restoration potential of marshlands.