The Lake and Dam of Qattina

Also known as the Homs Lake Dam, this is the largest surviving Roman dam in the Middle East, with a length of 1500 meters and an original height of 20 meters. The Romans used a technique of compacted rubble with a basalt core, which created a lake that expanded grain cultivation over 25,000 hectares. An engineering study published in the American Journal of Archaeology (2015) revealed that the dam is equipped with double stone drainage passages that prevent internal erosion. The lake remains a center for fishing and domestic tourism, and the northern barrier is currently being restored with graded basalt fills. The dam is part of Syria’s UNESCO file on “Hydraulic Heritage,” making it a leading example of water sustainability since classical times.