King Talal Dam

The King Talal Dam is a large dam in the hills of northern Jordan, across the Zarqa River. The dam was started in 1971, with the original construction being completed in 1978 at a height of 92.5 meters. The original dam cost $46 million and was partially funded by a $16.8 million loan from the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development and a $5.6 million grant from the Abu Dhabi Fund. Energoprojekt of Yugoslavia was the consultant and Planum of Yugoslavia was the contractor.^[1]

King Talal Dam
King Talal Dam in 2023
Location of King Talal Dam in Jordan
Country	Jordan
Location	Jerash Governorate
Coordinates	32°11′24″N 35°48′05″E / 32.19000°N 35.80139°E / 32.19000; 35.80139
Status	Operational
Construction began	1972
Opening date	1978
Owner(s)	Jordan Valley Authority
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Earthfill
Impounds	Zarqa River
Height	106 meter
Reservoir
Creates	King Talal Reservoir
Total capacity	86,000,000 m3 (69,721 acre⋅ft)
Active capacity	78,000,000 m3 (63,236 acre⋅ft)
Power Station
Turbines	2 x 2 MW Francis turbines
Installed capacity	4 MW

In 1984, to meet the country's increased water demands, work to raise the dam to a height of 106 meters was begun, a project that was completed in 1988. The dam is named after king Talal of Jordan. The main purpose of the dam is to store winter rains and treated wastewater from Amman and Zarqa treated in the As Samra plant for irrigation in the Jordan Valley. The dam irrigates about 17,000 hectares and supports the livelihood of 120,000 people.^[2]