Postgraduate Students at the Faculty of Mining Study Jeddah’s Dams and Monitor Groundwater Levels

The Water Geology Program at the Faculty of Mining, King Abdulaziz University, organized a four-day field training trip for female postgraduate students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees. The trip included visits to several dams, valleys, and sites of geological and hydrological significance in Jeddah Governorate, as well as Huda Al-Sham Farm. The initiative aimed to strengthen the practical component of the educational process and bridge academic knowledge with specialized field applications in water geology.

On the first day, the students visited Wadi Fatimah Dam, where they explored the geological formations and structures of the area, examined the dam’s engineering design, and learned about its role in surface water management.

On the second day, the students continued their field training with a visit to Huda Al-Sham Farm, where they learned about the meteorological monitoring station and the importance of its data in hydrological studies. They also conducted practical exercises to measure groundwater levels in wells and carried out field measurements of water quality indicators, including Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), and salinity.

The third day was dedicated to visiting a number of dams in Jeddah Governorate, including Mathoub Dam, Umm Al-Khair Dam, Al-Samer Dam, Burayman Dam, Al-Hamdaniyah Dam, and Wadi Ghayyah Dam. During these visits, the students examined the geological and hydrological characteristics of the sites and learned about the role of dams in regulating surface runoff and mitigating flood risks.

The field training wrapped up on its last day., the students visited several locations in Jeddah experiencing elevated groundwater levels. They observed the manifestations of this phenomenon and its potential effects on the ground surface and residential buildings, while discussing the geological and hydrological factors associated with rising groundwater levels.

The field trip also included the collection of samples from the visited sites for further investigation and analysis, contributing to the development of the students’ research capabilities and practical skills.

The trip was conducted under the academic supervision of Dr. Samia bint Salem Rafadah, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Mining for the Female Section; Dr. Hassan Saleem; Professor Ali Al-Subyani; and Mr. Waleed Hawsawi. They provided academic guidance throughout the field visits, enriching the students’ field experience and deepening their understanding of practical applications in water geology.

This initiative reflects the Faculty of Mining’s commitment at King Abdulaziz University to enhancing the educational experience of postgraduate students, promoting field activities as a fundamental component of academic and research training, and preparing qualified national professionals capable of applying their scientific knowledge to water resource studies and understanding related environmental challenges