Draft:Hydrology of Jordan

A map of Jordan.

Hydrology of Jordan refers to the study and characteristics of surface water and groundwater resources in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Jordan is among the most water-scarce countries globally, due to its predominantly arid climate, limited freshwater sources, and rapidly growing population. Managing its scarce hydrological resources is a central environmental and political challenge for the country.

Key Hydrological Facts

Total annual rainfall	50–600 mm (regional variation)
Primary river	Jordan River
Major tributary	Yarmouk River
Main aquifer	Disi Aquifer (non-renewable)
Per capita renewable water	Less than 100 m³/year
Main challenges	Over-abstraction, pollution, climate change

Geography and climate

Borders of Jordan

A Köppen climate classification map of Jordan.

Jordan’s hydrology is influenced by its diverse topography, ranging from highland regions to desert plateaus. The country's climate is mostly arid, with rainfall concentrated in the winter months (November to March). Annual precipitation varies drastically, from over 600 mm in the northwest highlands to under 50 mm in the desert southeast. Rainfall events are often intense and sporadic, contributing to flash flooding in wadis.

Surface water

Jordan’s surface water resources are limited and primarily include rivers and seasonal wadis:

• Jordan River: Originating in the mountains of Lebanon and Syria, it flows southward into the Dead Sea. It is the primary surface water source but is severely diminished due to upstream diversions and overuse.
• Yarmouk River: The Jordan’s largest tributary, forming the northern border with Syria and providing flow regulation for downstream use.
• Zarqa River: A heavily polluted river flowing through Amman into the Jordan; used extensively for agriculture and industry.
• Wadis: Jordan has many seasonal streams, including Wadi Mujib and Wadi Araba, which play key roles in groundwater recharge and seasonal flood dynamics.
• Dead Sea: The terminal basin for the Jordan River system, known for its hypersalinity and rapid decline in water level (over 1 meter/year).

Groundwater

Groundwater is Jordan’s primary freshwater source, supplying over 60% of total water demand:

• Disi Aquifer: A deep, non-renewable aquifer in southern Jordan; its water is piped to Amman via the Disi Water Conveyance Project.
• Amman–Zarqa Basin: A renewable but heavily overexploited aquifer system serving the capital and surrounding areas.
• Azraq and Yarmouk Basins: Provide water for agriculture and domestic use but have experienced serious depletion. Overuse in the Azraq Basin has led to the near-collapse of the Azraq wetland ecosystem.

Water scarcity and management

Jordan ranks among the most water-stressed countries globally. As of 2025, renewable water availability is estimated at under 100 m³ per capita per year—well below the water poverty threshold of 500 m³. Key drivers of scarcity include:

• High population growth and urbanization.
• Influx of over 1 million Syrian refugees since 2011.
• Climate variability and declining precipitation.
• Contamination of surface and groundwater sources.

To cope with these challenges, Jordan has implemented various water management strategies:

• Reuse of treated wastewater in agriculture.
• Desalination initiatives, including the planned Aqaba-Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance Project.
• Advanced irrigation techniques such as drip and micro-sprinkler systems.
• Water loss reduction programs in municipal supply networks.
• Public awareness campaigns promoting household water efficiency.

Transboundary water issues

Jordan’s major rivers are shared with neighboring countries, making hydrology a subject of regional politics:

• The Jordan River is shared with Israel and Palestine.
• The Yarmouk River is shared with Syria.
• The 1994 Israel–Jordan peace treaty includes provisions for water sharing and joint management.
• Political instability and upstream extraction complicate consistent cooperation.

Jordan has advocated for equitable sharing of water resources and engages with regional and international bodies to negotiate usage rights and technical assistance.

Innovation and international cooperation

Despite limitations, Jordan is recognized for its water innovation:

• It has one of the lowest non-revenue water loss rates in the region due to aggressive leak management.
• Jordan was one of the first Middle Eastern countries to legalize wastewater reuse.
• International donors such as USAID, GIZ, the World Bank, and the European Union provide funding for water infrastructure, conservation, and governance reform.
• The Ministry of Water and Irrigation coordinates national water policy and planning.

See also

• Geography of Jordan
• Environment of Jordan
• Water supply and sanitation in Jordan
• Disi Water Conveyance Project
• Red Sea–Dead Sea Conveyance
• Jordan River
• Wadi Mujib

External links

• Ministry of Water and Irrigation – Jordan
• Jordan Water Project – Stanford University
• UN-Water Country Brief – Jordan