Muawiya Dam

Muawiya Dam
Muawiya Dam
Location of Muawiya Dam in Saudi Arabia
CountrySaudi Arabia
LocationMedina
Coordinates24°26′33″N 39°55′06″E / 24.44250°N 39.91833°E / 24.44250; 39.91833
OwnerMinistry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (Saudi Arabia)

Muawiya Dam (Arabic: سد معاوية) is a water dam located in Wadi al-Khanq, east of Medina in Saudi Arabia.[1][2]

Geography

It lies in a narrow passage between two mountains near the village of Al-ʽUqul, about 15 kilometers from Medina.[3]

History

  • It was built around the year 50 AH during the reign of Caliph Mu'awiya I.
  • Inscriptions on the dam indicate its date of construction and the names of those who participated in building it.[4]

Engineering Dimensions

  • Its original length is about 30 meters.
  • Its height from the valley floor to the surrounding ground level is about 20 meters.
  • The width of the dam wall at the base is estimated at 10 meters.
  • Terracing appears in the dam's construction, which helps strengthen its base due to its height.[5]

Significance

  • It is considered a testament to Islamic civilization in hydraulic engineering and agriculture at the time.
  • The dam is part of an ancient network of dams that protect the city from valley floods.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Who Built Mu'awiyah Dam?". Saudipedia. 2025-04-29. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  2. ^ "سد معاوية بن سفيان.. شاهد تاريخي على الحضارة الإسلامية بالمدينة المنورة - جريدة المدينة". سد معاوية بن سفيان.. شاهد تاريخي على الحضارة الإسلامية بالمدينة المنورة (in Arabic). Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  3. ^ "Sadd al-Khanaq (Sadd Mu'awaiyah) - Madain Project (en)". madainproject.com. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  4. ^ "Arabic Inscription On A Dam Built By Caliph Mu'awiya (Madinah, Saudi Arabia), 40–60 AH / 661–80 CE". www.islamic-awareness.org. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  5. ^ "عام / سد معاوية بن سفيان بالمدينة المنورة ... شاهد تاريخي على الحضارة الإسلامية". spa.gov.sa (in Arabic). Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  6. ^ "سد معاوية". المعرفة (in Arabic). Retrieved 2025-11-24.