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The Al-Hammar marsh is one of the three major marshes in Iraq which experienced great changes in the period 1990-2003. The total area is approximately 2,800 km2 which includes permanent and seasonal marshes and lakes. The marsh is divided into two parts: the eastern part which feeds from the Tigris River, and the western part which feeds from the Euphrates River. In addition, Hammar marsh is in the worst condition of all the Iraqi marshes because it feeds from the Euphrates River, which has serious problems including increasing salinity concentrations and reduction in water flow. Therefore, the Main Outfall Drain (MOD) water, which is a drainage water with high salinity, has been used as an alternative water source to reduce the water shortage in the Euphrates river. Also, non-existence outlet to the western marsh as well as the high evaporation rate in the region help to accumulate the salts within the marsh. Consequently, the increased salinity concentration has killed most aquatic life, such reeds, fish, and water buffalo. In contrast, finding a method to flush the accumulated salts out of the western marsh is a challenge to preserve the marsh ecosystem. Therefore, in this study we design a multiple feeder canal system with outlets which can change the hydraulic pattern within the marsh, and create an active mixing that can help to reduce the salinity concentration over time. This also creates mixing zones within the marsh which can have profound effects on the entire ecosystem. |
