The Hydrological Assessment of Rivers East of Al-Gharraf and the Potential for Environmental Development in Al-Hayy District

The hydrological assessment of the rivers located east of the Al-Gharraf River represents an important topic in the geography of water resources, as water is the lifeblood of human existence and plays a fundamental role in sustaining environmental development as well as agricultural, economic, and demographic activities. According to the literature of geography, geography is the science of place; therefore, the area east of the Al-Gharraf River in Al-Hayy District is considered one of the regions traversed by a network of secondary waterways that constitute an essential part of the water system of Wasit Governorate. This study aims to evaluate the hydrological characteristics of the rivers east of Al-Gharraf and to conduct a comprehensive hydrological assessment of the watercourse network in order to measure its water-use efficiency and determine the impact of fluctuations in water discharge. This was achieved through evaluating the water system in terms of both quantity and quality, analyzing its natural and hydrological characteristics, and identifying variations in water levels. The study area lies within a semi-arid climatic zone characterized by high temperatures and variable rainfall, which has increased dependence on irrigation projects east of the Al-Gharraf River. The study also investigates the discharge rates of these irrigation projects and their potential for supporting various human activities, particularly agriculture, which is the principal consumer of water resources in the study area. Furthermore, it addresses the issue of water scarcity while seeking to improve water availability and environmental conditions for local communities. The study adopted an analytical approach based on climatic data covering the period 2014–2024, with extensive use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map the water network and analyze the spatial and temporal variations in water resources. The results of the overall hydrological assessment revealed a decline in annual water discharge rates, accompanied by an increase in Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) concentrations and indicators of chemical and physical pollution. These changes were attributed to climate change, unsustainable exploitation of water resources, reduced water allocations due to upstream countries’ control over river flows, and inadequate water resource management, all of which pose significant obstacles to achieving environmental sustainability in the study area. The study concluded that the efficient utilization of water resources in the rivers east of Al-Gharraf is closely linked to the implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), improving irrigation efficiency, lining irrigation canals and projects, and reducing pollution sources. It also emphasized that the major challenges facing development in the study area include increasing water demand and the impacts of climate change. Achieving sustainable environmental development therefore requires scientifically based strategic plans for water resource management to preserve the environment and ensure sustainable water security. The study recommends adopting sustainable development measures, including water harvesting strategies, the application of modern irrigation techniques, and integrated water resources management, while linking these indicators to the objectives of sustainable development.