The impact of the connection of Tharthar Channel to the Euphrates River at Habbaniyah–Fallujah area

Rivers, like any other natural phenomenon, strive to maintain a stable state that is suitable for their environment or region. Any changes in the conditions surrounding the river will make the river out of its stable state. This makes the river change its characteristics to adapt to these changes and return to a state of stability again. This research aims to determine the impact of the Tharthar-Euphrates channel on the main Euphrates River in the Fallujah area. Measurements for current velocity, width, and depth were taken for two cross-section profiles of the river in two different locations before and after the Tharthar - Euphrates Channel connection point with the main Euphrates River. Measurements were done on two dates: November (the end of the dry season) and April (the end of the rainy season). To detect changes happening in the Euphrates course, this work was supported by using a series of satellite images (1972 to 2024) to detect the movements that occurred in the river. Also, the calculations of the sinuosity factor (1972, before the construction of the Thartha Channel, to recent time) show that some new banks appear as a new fertile area. Sinuosity showed the Tharthar channel has a strong effect on the Euphrates after the connection point, also the Euphrates, even in its recent low discharge and many drought seasons, still has some effect on its course. The results showed an increase in the sinuosity factor of about 0.8 after connection due to the effect of the channel.