Dams in UAE to become tourist attractions

Ras Al Khaimah - "The ministry has already turned the 13m high and 107m long Shawkah Dam into a tourist attraction."

All dams across the country are to turn into tourist attractions, rest houses, parks, green areas and artificial lakes in the near future.
The announcement was made by Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, minister of infrastructure development, as part of a field visit to the Shawkah Dam in Ras Al Khaimah.
"The ministry has already turned the 13m high and 107m long Shawkah Dam into a tourist attraction."
The development of the major dam, which has a capacity of 275,000 cubic meters, will prevent accumulation of mud layers which led to a significant wastage of water, he added. "The UAE spares no effort to develop an integrated infrastructure that meets the latest international standards."
Zahra Al-Aboudi, Undersecretary of the ministry of infrastructure development, said new man-made lakes will be built on Shawkah Dam. "The new lakes will increase the 275,000 cubic metres capacity of the dam by at least 14 per cent, while the artificial lakes will preserve water from the side valleys."
Ahmed Abdullah Al Hammadi, manager of roads department, said the new lakes will be built in less than one year.
"The Shawkah Dam has become a promising tourist attraction which not only preserves rainwater but also boosts the beautiful image of the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah."
Nuaimi said power stations will be built along the Shawkah Dam to charge electric vehicles. "Some of the planned rest houses will be operated with solar power."
Official records show that the ministry of infrastructure development has launched a thorough plan to maintain 101 dams across the country.
"These include 54 in Fujairah, 30 in Ras Al Khaimah, nine in Ajman, seven in Sharjah, one in Umm Al Quwain, and 32 in Falaj Al Mualla."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah