How close do the Tigris and Euphrates rivers come near Baghdad?

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Map showing the Tigris and Euphrates river basin and its drainage network across Turkey, Syria, and Iraq, with color shading for elevation, major dams, canals, lakes, and boundaries with neighboring countries. The green areas indicate lower elevations along the river valleys, while higher elevations are shaded in brown and orange. A small locator map in the corner shows the basin's position within the Middle East. — Tigris-Euphrates river system The Tigris and Euphrates river basin and its drainage network.

In the vicinity of Baghdad, the distance between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers is reduced to approximately 25 to 30 miles (40 to 50 km).12

Historically, this proximity was so significant that, prior to the construction of modern dams, floodwaters from the Euphrates were known to reach the capital city located on the Tigris. During the Sasanian period, this narrow neck of land was the site of extensive engineering projects, where five navigable canals were constructed to link the two rivers.1