Jordan and the Kingdom of the Netherlands Launch Project to Reduce Siltation and Enhance Water Security at King Talal Dam

King Talal Dam is one of Jordan’s most important surface-water storage facilities and plays a critical role in supplying irrigation water to farmers in the Jordan Valley. However, its effective storage capacity is being progressively reduced by sediment transported from the upstream watershed.

Land degradation, cultivation on fragile slopes, overgrazing, and infrastructure development have increased soil exposure and surface runoff, contributing to erosion and sediment accumulation in the reservoir. The project will address these challenges at their source by integrating sediment management, watershed restoration, and institutional capacity development as essential components of Jordan’s long-term water security.

With total funding of EUR 10 million from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the four-year project will pursue two main objectives: (1) reduce sediment inflows into King Talal Dam through targeted soil-erosion and sediment-control measures, alongside landscape restoration in priority upstream hotspots; and (2) strengthen the technical and institutional capacities of relevant national and local stakeholders to ensure effective and sustainable sediment management.

The project contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 13 – Climate Action, and SDG 15 – Life on Land, and supports the priorities of the Netherlands’ Multi-Annual Country Strategy for Jordan 2026–2029 and the IUCN Nature 2030 Programme.

Dr Hany El Shaer, Regional Director for IUCN West Asia, said:

“Protecting King Talal Dam requires addressing sedimentation at its source. Through this project, IUCN and its national partners will combine nature-based solutions, designed and implemented in line with the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions, with targeted structural measures and institutional capacity development. Together, these efforts will restore the upstream watershed, reduce sediment inflows, and strengthen the long-term resilience of one of Jordan’s most important water resources.”

H.E. Stella Kloth, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Jordan, said:

“We are proud to partner with IUCN, Jordanian institutions and communities to reduce siltation, protect Jordan’s vital water infrastructure and strengthen the capacity of Jordanian institutions to manage this challenge for the long term. We hope this support will not only help safeguard water security at King Talal Dam but also generate knowledge and tools that can be applied in other priority watersheds across Jordan.”

H.E. Eng. Hesham Al-Hesa, Secretary General of the Jordan Valley Authority, emphasized the importance of addressing sedimentation at its source:

“This project represents an important step towards protecting Jordan’s water resources and enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of its water-storage infrastructure. Addressing sedimentation begins at its source in the upper watershed, by reducing soil erosion and limiting the amount of sediment reaching the dam. King Talal Dam is one of Jordan’s most important surface-water storage facilities and plays a key role in providing irrigation water to farmers in the Jordan Valley. The Jordan Valley Authority places great importance on protecting the Kingdom’s dams and preserving their storage capacities as an integral part of Jordan’s national water-security system.”

The launch event brought together representatives of national and local government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, local communities, academia, and the private sector. It established a shared understanding of the project’s objectives, scope, and implementation approach, while initiating coordination among the participating institutions to support effective implementation over the coming four years.