**6. Transboundary rivers**

In spite of the small surface area of Lebanon (i.e. 10,452 km<sup>2</sup> ), the geography of the country makes its water resources shared with the neighboring regions. Therefore, about 2631 km<sup>2</sup> of Lebanon's surface area constitutes shared groundwater reservoirs with the neighboring regions, and this is equal to approximately 25% of the Lebanese area [2]. In addition, there are approximately 2878 km<sup>2</sup> (27.5%) of Lebanon's surface area comprises basins for transboundary rivers with the

riparian regions. Thus, Lebanon contributes with major tributaries for three transboundary rivers [2]:

1.Al-Kabir River (222 million m<sup>3</sup> /year from Lebanon): It almost represents the northern international boundary of Lebanon with Syria, and it encompasses a catchment area of 972 km<sup>2</sup> where 303 km<sup>2</sup> are in Lebanon.

Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW) obtained a long-term plan for surface water

It is unlikely that the Lebanese administration and public finance can accomplish the planned long-term plan for constructing the proposed dams and lakes before 2030. Reasons behind postpone/or obstruction of dams construction in Lebanon are tremendous. One of these reasons is the dispute on dams' construction, and more certainly the believe that the topography and geology of Lebanon are not suitable for dam's construction; in particular the seismic setting of Lebanon does not assure the stability of dams [1]. Therefore, there is always debate on dams' construction in Lebanon. Lately, a problem has been existed even on the political level where the two proposed dams of Bisri and Janeh regions have been come to the implementation phase. Thus, there is of postponing to start working on these dams due to the

Rivers in Lebanon are compose the veins of agricultural development, notably that the largest portion of water supply is delivered from rivers, as well as rivers constitute about 42% of water resources in Lebanon besides 32% from groundwater and the rest 26% is from other sources and mainly springs. However, these estimates are still rough and the water cycle in Lebanon can be considered as a comprehensive cycle where all elements of water journey are included. Thus, rivers feed

Rivers in Lebanon discharge about 2800 million m3 per year, which a significant part of the water balance in Lebanon. Nevertheless, only 25% (or even less) of this amount is exploited and the rest is either lost to sea or shared with the neighboring

The exploitation of water from these rivers is almost chaotic and illegal, notably for irrigation which consumes more than 70% of water in Lebanon. In addition to domestic and industrial uses, water from rivers is also used for hydro-power generation and it

There are several threats existed lately on these rivers and they include natural and man-made threats. Hence, the average annual discharge rate in rivers has been sharply decreased and some rivers showed decline in the discharge reach up to 60% of its normal discharge rate. This is attributed either to the direct pumping from these rivers or the over pumping form the feeding zone for springs and groundwater aquifers. In addition, the changing hydrologic regimes of the terrain surface

Moreover, pollution is a major problem in all Lebanese rivers and rarely a river in Lebanon is found with pure water. Thus, outfalls from wastewater (e.g. sewages, domestic, etc.) sources and delivered towards rivers. This made some rivers, like the Litani River, as a source of contamination and diseases became widespread in the proximity of its tributaries. In addition, the physiochemical and bacteriological analysis of water and sediments in many of these rivers showed contamination

The solution for the Lebanese rivers implies adopted an integrated management of river' water. This can be built in the context of a national water strategy where assessment and monitoring must be continuously applied, and this can be consolidated by creating environmental legislations and laws devoted for water in rivers of

contributes to approximately 20% of electricity needs for the entire country.

plays a major role in controlling the amount of water in rivers [1].

exceeds several times the accepted standards.

development within the horizon of 2030 where 18 dams are proposed.

existed conflicts about their location suitability.

*Rivers of Lebanon: Significant Water Resources under Threats*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94152*

groundwater, and the later replenish spring and so on.

**8. Conclusion**

regions.

Lebanon.

**89**


There are only 210 million m<sup>3</sup> of water which is used by Lebanon from shared water resources of the country [2], and this volume constitutes water pumped from transboundary rivers, as well as the estimated water abstracted from dug wells in shared groundwater aquifers). This volume represents only about 15% of the total volume of these resources.

In the lack to proper management of these shared water resources; however, Lebanon loses a significant portion of its water. According to Shaban and Hamzé [2], if Lebanon adopted integrated and appropriate management approaches for its shared water resources, and then work in the direction of utilizing around 50% of these resources; thus, a water volume of about 700 million m3 can be added to the budget of water in Lebanon.

If this volume is allocated to consumers in the country; therefore, approximately 175 m<sup>3</sup> per capita (i.e. equivalent to about 80% of water demand per capita) will be added to water supply. Whereas, the benefit of about 60% of shared water in Lebanon; will totally provide the water demand per capita. This in turn catalysis the adoption of these resources which can be done by following integrated management strategies of these resources.

#### **7. Dispute on dams construction**

Lebanon is characterized by mountain topography where acute sloping terrain is dominant, and the majority of precipitation (rainfall and snow) accumulates on the elevated areas and then water rapidly flows along these slopes. The journey of water flow from mountains to the sea takes short time interval which was estimated approximately as few hours, notably that the average distance of flow does not exceed few tens of kilometers.

Therefore, the flow of water from the Lebanese mountains is considered as a major aspect of water loss and water outlet into the sea before any significant investment. Therefore, water harvesting should adopted as an alternative solution to tap water along the Lebanese rivers instead of water loss. Hence, construction of dams will be an optimal solution.

There are dams constructed in Lebanon along some rivers and major tributaries, but they are still of small-scale dams, except the ones of Qaraaoun and Shabrouh dams, which have capacity of 220 and 11 million m<sup>3</sup> ; respectively. In this regard, the

#### *Rivers of Lebanon: Significant Water Resources under Threats DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94152*

Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW) obtained a long-term plan for surface water development within the horizon of 2030 where 18 dams are proposed.

It is unlikely that the Lebanese administration and public finance can accomplish the planned long-term plan for constructing the proposed dams and lakes before 2030. Reasons behind postpone/or obstruction of dams construction in Lebanon are tremendous. One of these reasons is the dispute on dams' construction, and more certainly the believe that the topography and geology of Lebanon are not suitable for dam's construction; in particular the seismic setting of Lebanon does not assure the stability of dams [1]. Therefore, there is always debate on dams' construction in Lebanon. Lately, a problem has been existed even on the political level where the two proposed dams of Bisri and Janeh regions have been come to the implementation phase. Thus, there is of postponing to start working on these dams due to the existed conflicts about their location suitability.

#### **8. Conclusion**

riparian regions. Thus, Lebanon contributes with major tributaries for three

catchment area of 972 km<sup>2</sup> where 303 km<sup>2</sup> are in Lebanon.

northern international boundary of Lebanon with Syria, and it encompasses a

tributaries is originated from Lebanon and then named as Al Assi River. It is shared with Syria and Turkey with a total catchment area of 25,300 km<sup>2</sup> where

Wazzani River represents one of the primary tributaries of Jordan River which is shared with Syria, Jordan and Israel. The river, which is under frequent geo-

There are only 210 million m<sup>3</sup> of water which is used by Lebanon from shared water resources of the country [2], and this volume constitutes water pumped from transboundary rivers, as well as the estimated water abstracted from dug wells in shared groundwater aquifers). This volume represents only about 15% of the total

In the lack to proper management of these shared water resources; however, Lebanon loses a significant portion of its water. According to Shaban and Hamzé [2], if Lebanon adopted integrated and appropriate management approaches for its shared water resources, and then work in the direction of utilizing around 50% of these resources; thus, a water volume of about 700 million m3 can be added to the

If this volume is allocated to consumers in the country; therefore, approximately 175 m<sup>3</sup> per capita (i.e. equivalent to about 80% of water demand per capita) will be added to water supply. Whereas, the benefit of about 60% of shared water in Lebanon; will totally provide the water demand per capita. This in turn catalysis the adoption of these resources which can be done by following integrated management

Lebanon is characterized by mountain topography where acute sloping terrain is dominant, and the majority of precipitation (rainfall and snow) accumulates on the elevated areas and then water rapidly flows along these slopes. The journey of water flow from mountains to the sea takes short time interval which was estimated approximately as few hours, notably that the average distance of flow does not

Therefore, the flow of water from the Lebanese mountains is considered as a major aspect of water loss and water outlet into the sea before any significant investment. Therefore, water harvesting should adopted as an alternative solution to tap water along the Lebanese rivers instead of water loss. Hence, construction of

There are dams constructed in Lebanon along some rivers and major tributaries, but they are still of small-scale dams, except the ones of Qaraaoun and Shabrouh

; respectively. In this regard, the

political conflicts, has a total catchment area of about 18,425 km<sup>2</sup>

/year from Lebanon): It almost represents the

/year from Lebanon): In Lebanon the Hasbani-

, only

/year from Lebanon): One of its major

transboundary rivers [2]:

*Hydrology*

1.Al-Kabir River (222 million m<sup>3</sup>

2.Orontes River (420 million m<sup>3</sup>

3. Jordan Rivers (225 million m<sup>3</sup>

volume of these resources.

budget of water in Lebanon.

strategies of these resources.

exceed few tens of kilometers.

dams will be an optimal solution.

**88**

dams, which have capacity of 220 and 11 million m<sup>3</sup>

**7. Dispute on dams construction**

1930 km<sup>2</sup> are located in Lebanon.

645 km2 of them are in Lebanon.

Rivers in Lebanon are compose the veins of agricultural development, notably that the largest portion of water supply is delivered from rivers, as well as rivers constitute about 42% of water resources in Lebanon besides 32% from groundwater and the rest 26% is from other sources and mainly springs. However, these estimates are still rough and the water cycle in Lebanon can be considered as a comprehensive cycle where all elements of water journey are included. Thus, rivers feed groundwater, and the later replenish spring and so on.

Rivers in Lebanon discharge about 2800 million m3 per year, which a significant part of the water balance in Lebanon. Nevertheless, only 25% (or even less) of this amount is exploited and the rest is either lost to sea or shared with the neighboring regions.

The exploitation of water from these rivers is almost chaotic and illegal, notably for irrigation which consumes more than 70% of water in Lebanon. In addition to domestic and industrial uses, water from rivers is also used for hydro-power generation and it contributes to approximately 20% of electricity needs for the entire country.

There are several threats existed lately on these rivers and they include natural and man-made threats. Hence, the average annual discharge rate in rivers has been sharply decreased and some rivers showed decline in the discharge reach up to 60% of its normal discharge rate. This is attributed either to the direct pumping from these rivers or the over pumping form the feeding zone for springs and groundwater aquifers. In addition, the changing hydrologic regimes of the terrain surface plays a major role in controlling the amount of water in rivers [1].

Moreover, pollution is a major problem in all Lebanese rivers and rarely a river in Lebanon is found with pure water. Thus, outfalls from wastewater (e.g. sewages, domestic, etc.) sources and delivered towards rivers. This made some rivers, like the Litani River, as a source of contamination and diseases became widespread in the proximity of its tributaries. In addition, the physiochemical and bacteriological analysis of water and sediments in many of these rivers showed contamination exceeds several times the accepted standards.

The solution for the Lebanese rivers implies adopted an integrated management of river' water. This can be built in the context of a national water strategy where assessment and monitoring must be continuously applied, and this can be consolidated by creating environmental legislations and laws devoted for water in rivers of Lebanon.

*Hydrology*
