Mujib Dam | Dead Sea

Mujib Dam is a significant water infrastructure and engineering landmark located in the Wadi Mujib canyon, situated between the cities of Madaba and Karak. It is a dual-construction dam completed in 2004, designed to bridge the King’s Highway (Route 35) across the deep Mujib gorge.

Visual Characteristics

The dam is a hybrid structure consisting of a rolled concrete (RCC) central section and clay-core rockfill abutments. It stands 67 meters high from its foundation and spans a crest length of 764 meters. The most prominent visual feature is the reservoir lake formed behind the dam, which contrasts with the arid, steep limestone and basalt cliffs of the surrounding Moab plateau.

Location & Access Logistics

The dam is located approximately 100 kilometers south of Amman on the historic King’s Highway (Route 35). It serves as a bridge for the highway, meaning travelers driving between Madaba and Karak cross directly over the dam’s crest. Access is via private vehicle or tourist bus; there are no dedicated public transport stops at the dam, though inter-city buses passing through stop on request. A designated viewpoint with a small parking area is located on the northern ridge, providing a top-down view of the structure and reservoir.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Commissioned by the Jordan Valley Authority and inaugurated by King Abdullah II in 2004, the dam was built to address water scarcity in Jordan. Geologically, it is built on bituminous limestone within the Mujib basin, which drains a catchment area of over 4,000 square kilometers. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 35 million cubic meters, collecting seasonal floodwaters from seven major tributaries.

Key Highlights & Activities

King’s Highway Crossing: Driving across the 764-meter crest offers a unique perspective of the vertical drop into the canyon.

Photography: The northern and southern viewpoints provide panoramic views of the "Grand Canyon of Jordan" and the artificial lake.

Birdwatching: The reservoir serves as a seasonal stopover for migratory birds within the Mujib Biosphere Reserve area.

Energy Storage Project: The site is currently being developed for a 450-megawatt pumped hydroelectric storage project to enhance Jordan's renewable energy grid.

Infrastructure & Amenities

As a functional utility site, infrastructure is limited to the highway crossing and designated pull-over viewpoints. There are no public restrooms or visitor centers at the dam itself; these are located at the Mujib Adventure Center (lower wadi entrance on the Dead Sea Highway) or in the nearby towns of Dhiban and Karak. 4G cellular signal is stable at the viewpoints.

Best Time to Visit

The best time for photography is in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is low enough to light the canyon floor and create a mirror effect on the reservoir. After heavy winter rains (December to February), the dam often reaches full capacity, and the spillway-a free-overflow stepped chute-may be active, creating a significant artificial waterfall.

Facts & Legends

The dam is technically one of the most monitored in the region, equipped with over 300 sensors (piezometers, inclinometers, and accelerographs) to track structural integrity and seismic activity. A local modern legend suggests that the rising water levels of the reservoir have altered the local micro-climate, leading to increased humidity and more frequent morning fog within the canyon during spring.

Nearby Landmarks

Mujib Adventure Center/Siq Trail (Lower outlet, approx. 30km drive west)

Karak Castle (32.0km South)

Madaba City Center (40.0km North)

Wadi Bin Hammad (25.0km Southwest)