Environnement - Dams in Lebanon

Msaylha valve closures: another attempt at filling up.

The Msaylha dam, subject to constant repairs, threatens the biodiversity of the Nahr Al Joz downstream and poses health risks due to the eutrophication of the stored water. Despite promises from authorities, this structure, built on unstable geological foundations, fails to fulfill its purpose, exacerbating dangers for the environment and local residents.

Once again this year, the patching efforts of the Msaylha dam are being multiplied. Since the beginning of June, the gates of the dam have been closed, hoping to collect some water in the giant colander. This practice has an impact on the region of Msaylha. Erected on the riverbed of Nahr Al Joz, the dam is drying out the river, which is a threat to the riparian species (species living on the river banks) found downstream. Firstly, the drying up of the river will affect aquatic and semi-aquatic species such as fish and amphibians. Next, the disruption of the humidity levels in the area surrounding the river (up to 50 meters beyond its banks) can negatively impact trees and especially aquatic plants like reeds. Additionally, “animal species that are part of the river's food chain (trophic cycle) will be greatly affected, explains Jean Stephan, researcher in ecology and biodiversity at the Lebanese University. For example, those that come to drink or hunt there.” The retention of water inside the dam also increases the risk of fungal infections affecting plant species. “In the Msaylha region, the river typically dries up in the summer. However, it serves as a breeding ground for numerous plant and animal species that depend on it.” adds the expert. Finally, the regular human presence within the complex accompanying the dam (basketball and football fields) drives away the local wildlife.

A public health issue

In addition to the havoc done downstream, the water stocked inside the infrastructure is being eutrophied. This imbalance in the environment caused by an increase in the concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus is characterized by excessive growth of algae in the water. According to studies done by the Institute of Research for Development in France eutrophied waters can carry many viruses that can cause health problems. This phenomena can also increase the acidity of the water, making it unfit for human consumption.  Additionally, the river is located in a fairly polluted area due to its proximity to the Batroun industrial zone, making it an unhealthy and unreliable source of water.

A geostructural hazard

The Msaylha dam is constantly leaking significant amounts of water, unabling it to fulfill its purpose. “The water continues to infiltrate the soil, follow its natural underground path, and pour into the sea.” clarifies Samir Zaatiti, researcher and expert in hydrogeology. The dam has failed to hold the anticipated 6 million cubic meters of water, despite successive free patriotic movement’s (FPM) Energy Ministers assurances about the project's success, which was completed in January 2020. This completion date was also meant to initiate an experimental phase of one to two years, during which the stored water was supposed to be used for irrigation. This was the plan announced by former Energy Minister Nada Boustany at the time. "The dam is built on part of the Batroun fault, at a site with several natural drains where the Nahr el-Joz river used to flow into," explains the expert. These methods remain archaic, aimed at filling the dam at any cost, which consistently presents a desert like landscape except when its promoters, namely the Ministry of Energy controlled by the FPM for over a decade, use it for electoral purposes. The dam had been filled with water and inaugurated by the head of the FPM, Gebran Bassil, who sought to highlight his party's fictitious "achievements." 

"The Msaylha dam is built on highly unstable geological structures: a seismic fault, drains, and an unstable layer of marl composed of calcium carbonate and clay supporting a second layer of porous and rigid limestone," explains Mr. Zaatiti. "The marl structure, combined with void spaces between the layers created by the Batroun seismic fault, renders this site unstable. Indeed, marl liquefies upon contact with water, weakening the concrete base which will yield under the water mass at the drains, leading to water escape. Surface waters constitute only a third of Lebanon's hydraulic resources. Nature already stores 3 billion cubic meters of water annually. Humans cannot defy nature in this way!"

Furthermore, this dam poses a threat to the lives of residents downstream due to the pressure generated by the water and concrete mass on the saturated marl, which could lead to massive landslides.

As reiterated, the Msaylha dam has never retained water. The 2 million cubic meters of water initially retained, celebrated by Nada Boustany, vanished twenty days later. It's likely the same scenario is occurring today. The Msaylha dam is a crucial part of the series of projects initiated by Gebran Bassil.