Ancient irrigation system sustains year-round water flow in Thee Ain village

SPA

AL-MAKHWAH, December 26 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The continuous year-round flow of water in the village of Thee Ain, located in Al-Makhwah Governorate, is maintained through an ancient irrigation system that channels water from a natural spring known as Al-Qalla, situated at the highest point of the village.

Water from the spring is directed through a carved rocky channel designed to prevent erosion before cascading through small waterfalls to reach the village’s agricultural terraces.

Residents of Thee Ain developed structured water distribution mechanisms to manage the resource, most notably a traditional rotational irrigation system known as Atwafs. The system operates on twelve fixed, time-based turns to ensure equitable water allocation among farms and households.

The irrigation system has enabled a steady water supply despite climate variability and periods of low rainfall, supporting the continued cultivation of crops including bananas and coffee.

Officials and local residents note that the system remains central to agricultural sustainability in the village and reflects longstanding water management practices that have supported livelihoods in the area for centuries.