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How did upstream dams affect the Yarmouk River’s contribution to the Jordan River?

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Arid, rugged hills and winding roads in the Jordan Rift Valley, with the Jordan River and a small reservoir visible in the distance. — Jordan River Portion of the Jordan Valley, a rift valley that runs north-south along the Jordan River.

The Yarmouk River historically served as a vital tributary that nearly doubled the flow of the Jordan River. However, this contribution has been significantly reduced due to the construction of upstream dams.1

These developments include:

Diversion for Irrigation: The King Abdullah Canal (formerly the East Ghor Canal), completed in 1966, diverts water directly from the Yarmouk to irrigate the eastern Jordan River valley.21
Dam Construction: Increased demand for water and energy has led to further infrastructure projects, such as the Wahdah ("Unity") Dam, which began construction in 2004 to store water for Jordan and generate electricity for Syria.3

These upstream interventions, alongside the broader overuse of the Jordan River system, have diminished the volume of water reaching the Jordan River, contributing to water shortages throughout the region.13