Janna Dam plan modified

CET to kick off works in May

The construction plan of the Janna Dam in Nahr Ibrahim has been modified. The dam will be relocated to an area close to the predetermined location. The material that will be used in constructing the dam has also been changed. Works are expected to begin in May, 2013. Local firm Consolidated Engineering and Trading (CET) is the project’s contractor.

George Melki, Project Manager at Beirut and Mount Lebanon Water Establishment (BMLWE), said: “We had to move the dam to a higher location, and we will use roller compacted concrete in its construction for geological reasons.” An investigation conducted by the Ministry of Energy and Water showed that a dam made of rocks in this area would put the entire project at risk in case of an earthquake.

The BMLWE is responsible for monitoring the execution of the project’s two phases. Phase one includes building a conveying tunnel and access roads, while the second phase entails constructing the dam. “We have notified the contractor to begin works soon,” Melki said.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $200 million. The dam will enable the storage of up to 38 million cubic meters of water.