Hemrin Dam, Embankment dam on Diyala River, Iraq
The Hemrin Dam is an embankment dam on the Diyala River in northeastern Iraq that stretches across the landscape and holds back a large body of water. The structure controls water flow for farming and generates electricity for the surrounding areas.
The dam was built between 1976 and 1981 by a Yugoslav company as part of Iraq's infrastructure development in that period. Its completion changed how water was managed across the region.
The dam construction required extensive archaeological excavations at multiple sites, including Tell Madhur, Tell Rashid, and Tell Saadiya, preserving ancient artifacts.
The site is best reached by traveling to the area with local guides familiar with the conditions on the ground. The best time to visit depends on water levels, which vary by season and may affect how much of the area you can explore.
When the dam was built, several ancient sites like Tell Madhur and Tell Rashid were excavated and their findings preserved to save these historical places from flooding. These rescue digs documented important periods of ancient Mesopotamian settlement.
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