Khasab – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has announced plans to develop Wadi al Sarooj Dam in Madha, Musandam, into a tourist destination as part of wider efforts to invest in natural assets while promoting sustainable tourism and local economic activity.
The initiative aims to transform the dam and its surrounding landscape into a tranquil leisure attraction that blends natural scenery with carefully designed tourism facilities. The project is expected to enhance the use of dams and wadis as recreational destinations, while supporting community development and opening new investment opportunities.
The dam serves a catchment area of 51.3sqkm and receives an average annual rainfall of around 220mm. It has a storage capacity of approximately 1.35mn cubic metres and is constructed as a compacted rockfill dam with concrete elements, including a concrete spillway.
The structure measures 160.8m in length and stands 25.5m high, while the total land area allocated for the tourism development covers 5,076sqm.
According to the ministry, key components of the project include a café with direct views of the lake, outdoor seating areas designed to harmonise with the surrounding environment, and a restaurant overlooking the dam. These facilities aim to offer visitors a distinctive experience while preserving the site’s natural character.
The ministry said the project reflects broader national efforts to diversify tourism offerings and promote sustainable investment in environmental resources. By integrating tourism infrastructure with existing water projects, the initiative seeks to enhance the economic and social value of dams beyond their primary role in water management.
