Lake Qaraoun - Reservoir

Reservoir

The Qaraoun reservoir or lake created by El Wauroun Dam on the Litani River has a water spread area of 11.9 km2 (5 sq mi). It is the largest artificial lake in Lebanon, located in the southern part of the fertile Beqaa Valley, with a total capacity of about 220×10^6 m3 (7.8×10^9 cu ft) and effective storage (live storage) of 160×10^6 m3 (5.7×10^9 cu ft). The power generation is a primary benefit, which meets about 7%–10% of the power requirements in Lebanon. However, the stored waters also provide irrigation benefits with flows of 140×10^6 m3 (4.9×10^9 cu ft), as 110 million cubic metres is used in South Lebanon and 30 million cubic metres in Beqaa, while 20×10^6 m3 (0.7×10^9 cu ft) is used for domestic water supply in the Southern Lebanon. Controlled reservoir operation also provides flood-control benefits and prevention of water logging in an area of about 1,500 hectares (3,700 acres).

During 1999–2000, the water quality of the reservoir has been investigated from 16 sampling points on the river and its tributaries, by the Ministry of Environment and the Litani River Authority as a part of an exercise to evolve management plan for the Litani River and Lake Qaroun's catchment. It has been noted that seven sewer networks drain directly into the river. Untreated sewage from the towns of Baalbek, Houch el Rafqa, Qaa er Rim, Zahle, Chtoura, Qabb Elias, Bar Elias, Joub Jannine and Qaraoun flow into the Litani River or its tributaries, apart from industrial effluents many factories related to manufacture of sugar, paper, lead, limestone crushers, agro-industries and also from poultry farms, tanneries and slaughterhouses. The pollution is noted by the high recorded values of BOD₅ (79 mg/L) and nitrates (1.7 mg/L) in the Litani River.

The vegetation in the periphery of the lake consists of woodland, orchards, and low-growing scrub. During water-level variations in the lake, as the stored water is utilised for various beneficial uses, no submerged or emergent vegetation have been noticed. When the water level is at its lowest in the lake, a steppe-like land slope has been noticed with low vegetation of rocky shingle terrain where flocks of larks and lapwings are seen.

The bird life in the reservoir area is very notable, as 20,000 migratory birds of species of raptors, storks, pelicans and others species of birds have been sighted. Ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca), Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus), Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga), Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) and Lapwing (Vanellus gregarius) are some of the birds which are of conservation concern, according to the 2008 IUCN Red List.