Iraq’s southern marshlands see significant rise in water levels following rainfall

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Heavy rainfall in recent weeks has led to a notable rise in water levels in Iraq’s southern marshlands, offering renewed hope to farmers and livestock owners in Dhi Qar province that the wetlands may be spared from drought and drying up, a local official told Rudaw on Wednesday.

“Water levels in the Euphrates River, parts of which flow into the Chibayish marshlands, have risen significantly - by over 75 centimeters,” said Zeinab al-Asadi, head of the provincial agriculture committee in Dhi Qar.

The Chibayish marshes, located in southern Iraq, have faced growing threats in recent years due to prolonged drought, climate change, and upstream dam construction in Turkey, according to environmental groups. Once described as part of the ancient “Garden of Eden,” the marshlands have seen declining water levels that have forced many farming families to migrate to urban areas, while wildlife populations have suffered.

Al-Asadi said water levels in the marshes were at a historic low earlier this year, measuring just 34 centimeters.

“This means that in less than two months, water levels have more than doubled,” she said.

She added that the increase is expected to have a direct positive impact on the local environment and could help curb rural-to-urban migration.

“Another positive effect of the rising water levels is the revival of the fish sector,” al-Asadi said. “Agriculture and water buffalo breeding are the main sources of livelihood for most families living in and around the marshlands.”

Prolonged drought and advancing desertification have already displaced thousands of people.

Iraq’s Ministry of Migration reported in June that by October 2024, more than 10,000 families had been forced to leave areas surrounding the marshlands.

Al-Asadi stressed the need to maintain current water levels through coordinated water management efforts.

“This level of water must be sustained, and relevant authorities must work together to ensure the survival of life in the marshlands,” she said.

Southern Iraq’s marshes represent an important environmental and cultural heritage. In recent years, declining river levels and persistent drought have posed serious threats to the region’s ecosystems and livestock sector.

The Chibayish marshes are a network of wetlands located east of Nasiriyah, the capital of Dhi Qar province. The province is home to a large portion of Iraq’s historic marshlands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized as one of the country’s most fertile and ecologically significant regions.

Dhi Qar’s population exceeds 2 million, according to Iraq’s most recent census conducted in November.

Iraq’s broader water crisis has been intensified by five consecutive years of drought, rising temperatures, and the construction of dams upstream in Turkey and Iran. These projects have significantly reduced water inflows into Iraq, leaving the country with less than 40 percent of its entitled share from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, its primary water sources.