Assessing Spatial Changes in Water Quality of the Euphrates River Caused by Al Hindiya Barrage, in the Middle of Iraq, using CCME WQI

Mohammed, Sameerah Faydhallah; Abdul-Kareem, Shaimaa; Abbas, Abtisam Jasim

doi:10.21608/ejabf.2025.412213.6374

Assessing Spatial Changes in Water Quality of the Euphrates River Caused by Al Hindiya Barrage, in the Middle of Iraq, using CCME WQI

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Biology/collage of education for women/university of Kirkuk/Kirkuk/Iraq

² 2Department of Biology/College of Science - University of Baghdad, Iraq

³ Department of Environment, College of Science, AlQadisiya University, Iraq

10.21608/ejabf.2025.412213.6374

Abstract

In this study, the Canadian water quality index (CCME-WQI) was employed to evaluate the river’s water quality resulting from the influence of the Hindiya Barrage, located along the Euphrates River in central Iraq. This assessment used eight core water quality parameters. Data were collected monthly from January to December 2024 addressing 4 sampling sites near the barrage. Water temperature ranged from 22.66 ± 6.50 °C to 23.1 ± 6.74 °C, while turbidity fluctuated between 12.79 ± 10.13 and 26.99 ± 12.26. TDS values varied from 0.48 ± 0.11 to 0.48 ± 0.12 g/L, and pH ranged from 7.51 ± 0.37 to 7.61 ± 0.35. DO levels were between 8.35 ± 1.67 and 9.33 ± 1.39 mg/L, while BOD₅ concentrations spanned from 3.94 ± 2.52 to 4.45 ± 2.24 mg/L. Nitrate levels ranged from 0.98 ± 0.79 to 1.14 ± 0.96 mg/L, and phosphate levels from 0.01 ± 0.008 to 0.01 ± 0.01 mg/L. Turbidity emerged as a key factor contributing to reduced water quality. Site 3 (downstream of the barrage) recorded the highest turbidity levels relative to other sampling locations. Another significant parameter impacting the index was TDS, particularly where its levels exceeded the standard at Site 3. The highest average BOD₅ was observed at Site 4 (Sadat Al-Hindiya), an area impacted by sewage discharge. The calculated WQI values varied across sites, ranging from marginal at Site 3 (62.3%) to good at Site 2 (above the barrage). Site 1 (upstream of the dam) had a value of 73.7%, classified as fair, while the Hindiya barrage site recorded 80%, falling into the good category. Site 3 consistently displayed the lowest WQI score due to the presence of multiple failing parameters. Our analysis demonstrates the influence of the Hindiya barrage in decreasing water quality downstream, particularly at Site 3, which showed the most degraded conditions among all sites.

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