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ABOUT THE TIGRIS AND EUPHRATES: Physical Parameters 

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ABOUT THE TIGRIS AND EUPHRATES: Physical Parameters 

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The Tigris-Euphrates River Basin has a total area of 879,790 square kilometers between Iran, Turkey, Iraq, Syrian Arab Republic, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. “The lower portion of the region that they define, known as Mesopotamia (Greek: “Land Between the Rivers”), was one of the cradles of civilization” (Gibson, McGuire, and Seton, 2016).  Typically, the rivers will experience their lowest water levels during the months of September and October, and they usually flood during March, April, and May. However, due to political compromise, the water levels have remained very low, especially in Iraq (Pike, 2016).

Pike, John. Military. ”Tigris-Euphrates Basin", www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/tigris-euphrates.htm.

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ABOUT THE TIGRIS AND EUPHRATES: Social Parameters

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ABOUT THE TIGRIS AND EUPHRATES: Social Parameters

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Millions of people rely on the Tigris-Euphrates river basin for water. Not only does it supply a grand load of fresh water, but it also waters their crops, livestock, and helps keep the city alive and healthy. However, Iraq is in a difficult area with the rivers because of the negotiation made between Iraq and Turkey, where Turkey gets water in exchange for oil. Because of this, the water quantity and quality are both significantly decreased for the citizens of Iraq. In history, civilizations relied heavily on the rivers and the land surrounding it. This is where agriculture in middle eastern civilizations began (UNESCO, 2016).
Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. “The Ahwar of Southern Iraq: Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre, whc.unesco.org/en/list/1481/.

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Most of the Tigris-Euphrates River Basin has a sub-tropical Mediterranean climate with wet winters and dry summers.  “In the mountainous headwater areas freezing temperatures prevail in winter and much of the precipitation falls in the form of snow. As the snow melts in spring the rivers rise, augmented by seasonal rainfall which reaches its maximum between March and May.”(FAO, 2009). Summer days along the basin are hot, as temperatures can reach up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit with incredibly low humidity. The river depends on the overflow coming from the mountains, otherwise it would completely dry up and not be usable.
AQUASTAT, FAO. “Euphrates-Tigris River Basin.” Home , www.fao.org/aquastat/en/countries-and-basins/transboundary-river-basins/euphrates-tigris.

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The core political issue is that, between Iraq and Turkey, there is not enough oil and water to both be fully satisfied, so they have to trade. Turkey exchanges their oil for the fresh water coming from Iraq. To control that, there has been a system of 22 dams, referred to as GAP, built tO regulate the direction in which the water is headed. However, due to a lack of proper communication, much of Iraq’s water flow has slowed, and high levels of salt have entered into the water, making it essentially unusable (Wilson, 2017).

Wilson, Ryan. “Water-Shortage Crisis Escalating in the Tigris-Euphrates Basin.” Future Directions International, 17 Oct. 2017, www.futuredirections.org.au/publication/water-shortage-crisis-escalating-in-the-tigris-euphrates-basin/.

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There is an abundant selection of species in the Tigris-Euphrates river basin. Wild pigs are a common species found among the marshes, and they have been seen migrating toward areas with newly planted eucalyptus groves in other parts of the alluvial plain (Gibson, McGuire, Seton, 2016).  Additionally, "Jackals, hyenas, and mongooses are found along the rivers in southern Iraq" , as well as smaller rodents such as hares and shrews.

Gibson, McGuire, and Seton H.F. Lloyd. “Tigris-Euphrates River System.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 20 Jan. 2016, www.britannica.com/place/Tigris-Euphrates-river-system/Study-and-exploration.

Pike, John. Military."Tigris-Euphrates Basin" www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/tigris-euphrates.htm.

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Water Buffalo are among the most important species in the rivers. Due to the changing water and salinity levels stemming from the dams, water buffalo are dying because the water is toxic for them to drink. Herders will carry safe, drinkable water for miles and miles back to their herds (PBS, 2018). For example, in the youtube video shown above, it is mentioned that herder Abbas Jawad has lost over 15 buffalo in the past year due to the unsafe water. Not only is it toxic to the animals, but the plants as well, completely eliminating stable food sources. People use the water buffalo for food by using their meat and cheese, but without clean water, the buffalo will die ultimately starving the people too.

Gibson, McGuire, and Seton H.F. Lloyd. “Tigris-Euphrates River System.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 20 Jan. 2016, www.britannica.com/place/Tigris-Euphrates-river-system/Study-and-exploration.

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In terms of services that come with the Tigris-Euphrates river basin, the most treasured is its provisioning services.  The rivers provide fresh water for livestock, plants, and agriculture. Without the fresh water from the rivers, the people would starve because there would be no crops or livestock to grow and use. Additionally, the regulating services provided are essential. Specifically, the water levels during certain times of the year. The agricultural workers rely heavily on the flooding that occurs during the spring season, as this is what waters the crops in the drainage system. Without these critical seasons, the livestock and ultimately the people,  would starve and die (FAO, 2009).
AQUASTAT, FAO. “Euphrates-Tigris River Basin.” Home , www.fao.org/aquastat/en/countries-and-basins/transboundary-river-basins/euphrates-tigris.

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Due to the building of these dams, which have been built as a result of political agreements, the water levels are consistently low, creating a much higher level of salinity in the water. Ever since agriculture in the area started thousands of years ago, people relied on the multiple months of the year when the rivers would flood due to melted snow coming from the mountains. However, that no longer happens due to the dams. As a result, the land has become dry and barren, making it nearly impossible to grow or harvest any crops or have access to clean water. Farmers have lost millions of dollars every year, and that will continue to happen unless these dams are removed. (PBS, 2018).

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Why Iraq's biblical paradise is becoming a salty wasteland

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A potential issue that will rise with climate change is the pollution in the water. As the water levels lower and the level of salinity begins to rise, the water from the river becomes less effective and ultimately a complete waste (Gibson, McGuire, and Seton , 2016). Pollution would add to this issue as the very few areas, especially in Iraq, that do have usable water could potentially be contaminated. Without the few areas where there is access to safe, freshwater society would plummet entirely as there would be no water source for irrigate crops and livestock, eliminating the two main food sources of the citizens. (Depending on the area, there is a noticeable difference in the cleanliness and clarity of the water (see figure below). It is essential to create a system that will keep both rivers in all areas clean and safe to use.
Gibson, McGuire, and Seton H.F. Lloyd. “Tigris-Euphrates River System.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 20 Jan. 2016, www.britannica.com/place/Tigris-Euphrates-river-system/Study-and-exploration.

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Turkey is primarily responsible for the upbringing and the management of the GAP dam system, “In 1990, Turkey mobilised its forces when it cut the Euphrates to fill the Atatürk Dam, temporarily reducing water flow into Syria and Iraq by 75 per cent. Iraq threatened to blow up the dam, which led Turkey to threaten to cut off the water flow to Syria and Iraq completely” (Wilson, 2017). Due to the severe imbalance of power, there has been a series of conflicts that have been detrimental to the countries. Power needs to be reallocated more equally so all countries can have access to these resources.
Wilson, Ryan. “Water-Shortage Crisis Escalating in the Tigris-Euphrates Basin.” Future Directions International, 17 Oct. 2017, www.futuredirections.org.au/publication/water-shortage-crisis-escalating-in-the-tigris-euphrates-basin/.

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Iraq does not have enough political influence to create any change in Syria or Turkey when coming to a conclusion on a policy decision. In order to create any change, Iraq “must press its rights via international law. On the basis of its extensive and protracted historical use, Iraq may have a case to obtain an international ruling in its favour” (Wilson, 2017). Iraq’s oil resources are the most effective way to achieve access to water. Iraq has one of the largest oil reserves, and there is still much to be explored. If Iraq can negotiate a way to offer a large amount of the large supply of oil, as well as proving that they are able to efficiently utilize their water, there is a much better chance that they will be offered better access to water resources from Syria and Turkey.
Wilson, Ryan. “Water-Shortage Crisis Escalating in the Tigris-Euphrates Basin.” Future Directions International, 17 Oct. 2017, www.futuredirections.org.au/publication/water-shortage-crisis-escalating-in-the-tigris-euphrates-basin/.

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In proving that their use of water is efficient, Iraq could create a system that would ultimately cause these countries to be more efficient with their resources (ie: oil, water) which would help the overall depleting number of resources available. Fair access to water combined with a safe and proper use of oil between these three countries would solve the overly salty water in Iraq and would help bring agriculture back to life.
Wilson, Ryan. “Water-Shortage Crisis Escalating in the Tigris-Euphrates Basin.” Future Directions International, 17 Oct. 2017, www.futuredirections.org.au/publication/water-shortage-crisis-escalating-in-the-tigris-euphrates-basin/.

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Gibson, McGuire, and Seton H.F. Lloyd. “Tigris-Euphrates River System.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 20 Jan. 2016, www.britannica.com/place/Tigris-Euphrates-river-system/Study-and-exploration.

Pike, John. “Military.” Tigris-Euphrates Basin, www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/tigris-euphrates.htm.

AQUASTAT, FAO. “Euphrates-Tigris River Basin.” Home , www.fao.org/aquastat/en/countries-and-basins/transboundary-river-basins/euphrates-tigris.

Wilson, Ryan. “Water-Shortage Crisis Escalating in the Tigris-Euphrates Basin.” Future Directions International, 17 Oct. 2017, www.futuredirections.org.au/publication/water-shortage-crisis-escalating-in-the-tigris-euphrates-basin/.

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Creating a system in which no country has more power over the other when it comes to sharing a resource at a scale as large as the Tigris-Euphrates river basin would help alleviate the tension and unfair distribution between the three regions. This would have to start at a much higher level, possibly requiring help from the United Nations to help delegate where certain resources go and at what time of the year. Since the countries do not obtain equal power in general, the same system can be implemented (as mentioned in the second solution) where the countries have to prove that they are able to utilize these resources wisely so they are not being wasted or abused.
Wilson, Ryan. “Water-Shortage Crisis Escalating in the Tigris-Euphrates Basin.” Future Directions International, 17 Oct. 2017, www.futuredirections.org.au/publication/water-shortage-crisis-escalating-in-the-tigris-euphrates-basin/.