Bisha ( Arabic : بيشة , Bīšah ), also known as Qal`at Bishah ( Arabic : قلعة بيشة , Qalʿat Bīšah ), is a town in the south-western Saudi Arabian province, 'Asir . Bisha was its own province before merging with its neighboring province, 'Asir . Bisha has a population of 202,096 according to the 2022 Census in the governorate , with nearly 240 villages and 58 larger settlements that are spread out on both sides of the Bisha Valley (the longest valley in the Arabian Peninsula). The city is located to the south of the Arabian Peninsula , which is almost entirely under the administration of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia . It stands at an altitude of approximately 610 meters (2,000 ft.) above sea level.
14-412: The Bisha area is of immense agricultural importance due to high soil fertility, abundant water, and palm cultivation. There are around 3,000,000 palm trees, among other trees of multiple varieties, and their fruits are sold widely to cities in the vicinity. Ibn Saud then set out to conquer the surrounding region with the goal of bringing it under the rule of a single Islamic state. Ibn Dawwas of Riyadh led
28-1906: A range of professional and non professional courses at graduate levels. The city also has a number of colleges for male and female which are offering graduate courses. King Fahad Dam Coordinates : 19°41′46.80″N 42°29′14.46″E / 19.6963333°N 42.4873500°E / 19.6963333; 42.4873500 Dam in Bisha, 'Asir Region King Fahad Dam [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Location of King Fahad Dam in Saudi Arabia Country Saudi Arabia Location Bisha , 'Asir Region Coordinates 19°41′46.80″N 42°29′14.46″E / 19.6963333°N 42.4873500°E / 19.6963333; 42.4873500 Purpose Flood control, municipal water, irrigation, groundwater recharge Construction began 1986 Opening date 1997 ; 27 years ago ( 1997 ) Owner(s) Ministry of Water and Electricity Dam and spillways Type of dam Gravity Impounds Wadi Bisha Height (foundation) 103 m (338 ft) Height ( thalweg ) 68 m (223 ft) Length 507 m (1,663 ft) Width (crest) 80 m (260 ft) Width (base) 8 m (26 ft) Spillway type Overflow Spillway capacity 5,338 m /s (188,500 cu ft/s) Reservoir Total capacity 325,000,000 m (263,000 acre⋅ft) Catchment area 7,600 km (2,900 sq mi) Maximum length 18 km (11 mi) The King Fahad Dam , previously known as Bisha Dam ,
42-491: A result. Wadis tend to be associated with centers of human population because sub-surface water is sometimes available in them. Nomadic and pastoral desert peoples will rely on seasonal vegetation found in wadis, even in regions as dry as the Sahara , as they travel in complex transhumance routes. The centrality of wadis to water – and human life – in desert environments gave birth to the distinct sub-field of wadi hydrology in
56-709: A wide range of sedimentary structures, including ripples and common plane beds. Gravels commonly display imbrications , and mud drapes show desiccation cracks. Wind activity also generates sedimentary structures, including large-scale cross-stratification and wedge-shaped cross-sets. A typical wadi sequence consists of alternating units of wind and water sediments; each unit ranging from about 10–30 cm (4–12 in). Sediment laid by water shows complete fining upward sequence. Gravels show imbrication. Wind deposits are cross-stratified and covered with mud-cracked deposits. Some horizontal loess may also be present. Modern English usage differentiates wadis from canyons or washes by
70-420: Is a gravity dam on Wadi Bisha about 35 km (22 mi) south of Bisha in the 'Asir Region of southwestern Saudi Arabia . The dam has many purposes , such as serving flood control , supplying water to nearby localities , irrigation and groundwater recharge . A water treatment plant was built in conjunction with the dam and it can supply up to 40,000 m (1,400,000 cu ft) of water to
84-504: Is the Arabic term traditionally referring to a river valley . In some instances, it may refer to a wet ( ephemeral ) riverbed that contains water only when heavy rain occurs. Arroyo ( Spanish ) is used in the Americas for similar landforms. The term wādī is very widely found in Arabic toponyms . Some Spanish toponyms are derived from Andalusian Arabic where wādī
98-425: The action and prevalence of water. Wadis, as drainage courses, are formed by water, but are distinguished from river valleys or gullies in that surface water is intermittent or ephemeral. Wadis are generally dry year round, except after a rain. The desert environment is characterized by sudden but infrequent heavy rainfall, often resulting in flash floods . Crossing wadis at certain times of the year can be dangerous as
112-568: The city of Bisha a day. The dam was constructed between 1986 and 1997. It is named after King Fahad and is managed the Ministry of Water and Electricity. At 103 m (338 ft) in height, it was the tallest dam in the country until the 106 m (348 ft) Baysh Dam was completed in 2009. King Fahad's reservoir still has the largest storage capacity, at 325,000,000 m (263,000 acre⋅ft). References [ edit ] ^ Alhamid, Abdulaziz A. (2004). "Achievements of
126-840: The custodian of the two holy mosques in water sector, PSIPW" (PDF) . King Saud University. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016 . Retrieved 27 March 2014 . Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=King_Fahad_Dam&oldid=1246687958 " Categories : Dams completed in 1997 Dams in Saudi Arabia 'Asir Province Hidden categories: Pages using gadget WikiMiniAtlas Articles with short description Short description matches Wikidata Coordinates on Wikidata Wadi Wadi ( Arabic : وَادِي , romanized : wādī , alternatively wād ; Arabic : وَاد , Maghrebi Arabic oued , Hebrew : וָאדִי , romanized : vadi , lit. 'wadi')
140-504: The distal portions of alluvial fans and extend to inland sabkhas or dry lakes . In basin and range topography , wadis trend along basin axes at the terminus of fans. Permanent channels do not exist, due to lack of continual water flow. They have braided stream patterns because of the deficiency of water and the abundance of sediments . Water percolates down into the stream bed, causing an abrupt loss of energy and resulting in vast deposition. Wadis may develop dams of sediment that change
154-595: The most determined resistance, allied with forces from Al Kharj, Al Ahsa, and the Banu Yam clan of Najran. However, Ibn Dawwas fled and Riyadh capitulated to the Saudis in 1774, ending long years of wars, and leading to the declaration of the first Saudi State, with Riyadh as its capital. The government of Saudi Arabia's strategic plan involves using a newly constructed dam to supply water to population centers rather than to irrigate farms. The Ministry of Agriculture and Water
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#1732765930961168-485: The stream patterns in the next flash flood . Wind also causes sediment deposition. When wadi sediments are underwater or moist, wind sediments are deposited over them. Thus, wadi sediments contain both wind and water sediments. Wadi sediments may contain a range of material, from gravel to mud, and the sedimentary structures vary widely. Thus, wadi sediments are the most diverse of all desert environments. Flash floods result from severe energy conditions and can result in
182-563: Was concerned about the Bisha area's dependence on groundwater and initially decided to construct a dam in the Bisha Valley ( King Fahad Dam ) to support agricultural activities in the region. However, due to the scarcity of clean drinking water, the dam output has been redirected for drinking purposes, resulting in a sharp decline of agricultural output. Bisha has a hot desert climate ( Köppen climate classification BWh ). Education: It has University of Bisha which offers education in
196-428: Was used to mean a permanent river, for example: Guadalcanal from wādī al-qanāl ( Arabic : وَادِي الْقَنَال , "river of refreshment stalls"), Guadalajara from wādī al-ḥijārah ( Arabic : وَادِي الْحِجَارَة , "river of stones"), or Guadalquivir , from al-wādī al-kabīr ( Arabic : اَلْوَادِي الْكَبِير , "the great river"). Wadis are located on gently sloping, nearly flat parts of deserts; commonly they begin on
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