Jordan is a Middle Eastern country that is steeped in the rich cultural heritages and historical wonders of the modern world. It attracts visitors from all over the world through its ancient cityscapes and deserts. Rivers in Jordan have significant importance in the nation’s geography. It also serves as the heart for managing the water scarcity that it faces.

So, in this article, we’ll look into the water bodies in Jordan that are capable of shaping the future of the nation and other Middle Eastern countries.

1. Exploring The Rivers In Jordan

Even though Jordan is not abundant in many rivers in the Middle East, the existing rivers serve as the veins of the nation. They conserve and quench the thirst of the nation. These seasonal streams play an important role in maintaining Jordan’s prosperity. Here are the main rivers of Jordan that have a great influence on Jordan’s fate.

1.1. Jordan River

Jordan River is the indigenous river in Jordan that holds great and deeper religious and historical importance in the nation. It flows from northern Jordan and ends up in the Dead Sea at around 422 metres below sea level. This River also has immense geological significance and is considered to be a national water carrier.

1.1.1. Historical Significance of Jordan River

When treated with its historical significance, the Jordan River is immensely intertwined with the traditions of the nation. Many religions have different mentions in their respective religious texts.

Christian believers believe that Jordan was the place where John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ in biblical history. This was a pivotal event for the Christian religion. Jews believe that Israelites crossed into the promised land after their exodus from Egypt. These historical significances made the Jordan River a pilgrimage site for people worldwide.

The Jordan River originated at Mount Hermon due to a combination of three different rivers: the Hasbani River, the Banias River and the Dan River. These rivers flow through three different countries, Southern Lebanon, Syria and Israel, respectively, at the Hula Valley.

1.1.2. Geography of Jordan River

Jordan River runs as a boundary for countries such as Israel, Palestinian nations etc., The Jordan River receives the upper hand by becoming a border between Israel and Jordan from the southern part. It also shares a border with the Palestinian territories in the north.

Jordan River is considered to be the primary tributary to the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea geologically. It has an upper course with the Sea of Galilee via Bethsaida Valley and a lower course with the southern side of the Dead Sea. However, these diversions cause the Dead Sea to shrink at a considerable rate, which can also have consequences for the surrounding nations.

Efforts are being made to address the challenges facing the Jordan River and its surrounding ecosystem. Various international organizations and initiatives are working to promote water conservation, sustainable use of water resources, and environmental protection in the region.

1.2. Yarmouk River

Yarmouk River is one of the major tributaries of the Lower Jordan River, which also serves Israel and Syria, the neighbouring nations. It is a major river that originates from Southern Syria, which Northern Israel occupied in the war of 1967 with Syria.

It is a tributary of the Jordan River that helps maintain the ecosystems of the nation and the agriculture at the banks.

1.2.1. Geographical Significance of Yarmouk River

This river is a great source for competing with the demands of three nations- Jordan, Israel and Syria. It stands as a solution for the competing demands of consumption, agricultural requirements, and even conflicts with other nations.

Geographically, it forms a boundary with the Hauran plains. Alongside, it also shared a border with Bashan plains from the fall north and, at the southern tip, with the Gilead mountains. This created a lot of political issues with neighbouring nations.

It is narrow and flat along its length, but its mouth is about as wide as the Jordan River. That is, it is 30 feet wide and 5 feet deep. The once-famous Matthew Bridge crossed the river at its confluence with the Jordan River.

Like the Jordan River, the Yarmouk River plays a crucial role in the region’s water resources and ecological balance. Managing its waters sustainably is essential for addressing water scarcity and preserving the fragile environment of the surrounding landscape.

1.3. Zarqa River

Zarqa River, also known as the Jabbok River or even the River of Blue City, originates from the eastern side of the Jordan River. It is the main tributary of the Jordan River. Specifically, it begins its journey from the city of Amman from the Gazelle spring and flows westward through the city of Zarqa and, at last, joins with the Dead Sea. It holds great significance with Jordan’s water resources.

This is a perennial river that maintains a consistent flow all the time and serves as a relative water supply source for the nation’s requirements. It is a great help for the sustainment of the agricultural runoff and lives along its banks, Jordan’s floodplain.

1.3.1. Significance In The Development of The Nation

This river has great significance in the nation’s urban life and industrial development. However, this caused many pollution and environmental challenges and affected the river system’s health.

Due to its perennial nature, the river is a sustainable water resource of the nation as it supports the ecosystem and the needs of people at its banks. This consistent water management safeguards the desert nation of Jordan.

As Jordan faces ongoing water scarcity challenges, the Zarqa Rivers remain a valuable lifeline for the nation’s water supply. Managing this precious river sustainably is crucial for preserving the environment, supporting communities, and ensuring a healthier future for Jordan’s water resources.

1.4. Wadi Arabah

Wadi Araba, sometimes known as the Arabah River, is a seasonal river that flows along Jordan’s eastern border. It is adjacent to Palestine and Israel and near the Negev desert valley.

The seasonal nature of the Wadi Araba is due to its natural landscape and rocky terrain. The flow of the river is determined by the amount of rain falling and flash floods in the Arabah Valley. It is dry mostly in a year and gets filled easily. It has shaped many canyons and river valleys with this nature of formation.

1.4.1. Geographic Characteristics of Arabah

Wadi Araba forms a natural geographic boundary between Jordan and Israel/Palestine. It stretches from the Gulf of Aqaba in the south, along the eastern side of the Jordan River, to the Dead Sea in the north.

Wadi Araba has historical significance as a trading route and pathway for nomadic tribes. In ancient times, caravans used this route for trade between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean region.

Wadi Araba’s dry riverbed is a testament to the arid climate that characterizes much of Jordan’s geography. While it may not be a permanent river, its unique geological features and historical importance contribute to the rich elegance of Jordan’s diverse landscapes and cultural heritage.

1.5. Wadi Mujib

Mujib River, known as the Arnon Stream in Hebrew, is seasonal in Jordan. Situated at the Mujib Biosphere Reserve, it is a great tourist attraction for hiking and canyoning.

Being a seasonal river, it flows only during the rainy seasons. It gets its flow through the huge runoffs and flash floods in the desert during this season. The Mujib River has a large ecosystem on its banks that depends on it for its existence.

Mujib River has a larger biosphere reserve on its bank and is probably known as the Grand Canyon of Jordan, which has beautiful stone canyons across the deserts of Jordan. Later, the river ends up in the Dead Sea through the Jordan River, where it gets considerable salt residue.

1.5.1. Elegance of Mujib River

The reserve offers a beautiful picturesque with its rich landscapes, cliffs, waterfalls, and narrow streams which were carved out of the Mujib river. This makes it a popular destination for hiking and trekking along with other ecotourism activities. People from all over the world visit the river, river valley and its pathways during the rainy season.

Due to its ecological significance, Wadi Mujib has been designated as a protected area. Conservation efforts are in place to preserve its natural beauty, biodiversity, and unique geological formations.

1.6. Wadi Al-Yabis

Wadi al-Yabis is a tributary of the Jordan River in western Jordan. It is very dry during the summer but has many olive trees along its banks. It joins the Jordan River at the Beit She’an Valley and is described as one of the wildest ravines in the Fertile Crescent in the southern desert of Jordan.

Al-yabis is a river that hosts a diverse variety of eco-lives such as wildlife, egrets, hyraxes, etc. It provides a very secure asylum that is to be persecuted.

1.6.1. Peace Treaty and Al-Yabis River

According to the peace treaty signed between Israel and Jordan in the year 1994, the al-Yabis River is set as a tributary of the Jordan River. This shows the importance of the Yabis River in feeding two countries.

Although the Al-Yabis River may not be much known in Jordan’s history and its geographical features, it is an important river in quenching the thirst of Jordan and Israel and various lives on its banks.

1.7. Wadi Al-Hasa

Wadi al Hasa is another seasonal river that is considerably long and big and is located in West Jordan. It starts from Karak City, flows through Tafilah City, and ultimately combines with the Dead Sea.

Although being a seasonal river, it acts as a perennial river, having the water flow most of the time in the river. It serves as the primary source of water for many farms, irrigated fields and industries along its banks. It also contains many springs and falls along its path, making it a beautiful river. However, the Hasa River is a little smaller than the Wadi al Mujib River, which flows through its northern region.

It has an elegant landscape with picturesque beauty and lush vegetation alongside the banks of the river. Also, it is a great tourist destination suitable for hiking and trekking through the valleys and canyons nearby.

Al- hasa has been a popular spot for archaeological explorations as it is said to have many resources from the Upper Pleistocene period. They have identified many stone formations, lakes, and sediments, proving that Jordan was built during this period. The evidence of marls and tufa formations which was a part of the drainage system of that period.

2. Concluding The Discussion

Jordan is a nation blessed with its natural beauty and diversity of landscapes, rivers, and deserts. With its historical and religious significance, it is also a symbol of heritage. Although it faces many challenges based on water scarcity and pollution, it is cured using its wadis and rivers, which support the ecosystems.

The rivers in Jordan are very helpful in managing resources in the nation and even neighbouring nations to protect nature and communities for future generations.

Last Updated on March 18, 2024 by rahuldey7417