Wadi Al Fay

Wadi Al Fay (‎, Wādī Al Fay) is a valley or dry river, with ephemeral or intermittent flow, flowing almost exclusively during the rainy season, located in the emirate of Fujairah, in the eastern part of the United Arab Emirates. Although geographically part of the large catchment area of the Wadi Basseirah, its lower course runs through the northwestern part of the Dibba / Sayh Dibā floodplain, away from other large wadis that are also part of this basin, such as Wādī Sanah, Wādī Ḑab‘ah, Wadi Al Faryah and Wadi 'Abadilah. These other wadis converge on the same plain before the Al Basseirah Dam (coordinates: 25°31'35.0"N 56°12'40.0"E).

The Wadi Al Fay flows from southwest to northeast, and has a total length of approximately 15 km (9.3 mi). Its main sources are on the southern slope of Jabal Mubrahah (593 m (1, 946 ft)), at an approximate altitude of 400 m (1, 300 ft). At the beginning of its middle course, the Wadi Al Fay passes through the village of Al Muhtarqah (Al Miḥtarqah), located in the historic Qaliddi Route, which connected the city of Ras Al Khaimah and other towns on the coast of the Persian Gulf to the city of Dibba on the coast of the Gulf of Oman. Adjacent to the village of Al Muhtarqah is the mountain pass of Al Qaliddi (Aqabat al Qaliddi)., an important crossing for caravans that followed the Qaliddi route in both directions, making it a strategic reference and supply point. From Al Muhtarqah, the Qaliddi route to the Gulf of Oman coast headed northeast, following the course of the Wadi Al Fay. This wadi's course was later partially used for the construction of the modern E87 - Al Shuhada Road highway, which significantly affected and altered its natural flow. As it flows towards the sea, the Wadi Al Fay receives the confluence of several small tributaries, including Wadi Ajali, Wadi Lahaba, and Wadi Danhah. It also passes through the villages of Dhahir/Zahir al Ya'ad, Dhahir/Zahir As Safwah, and Ghub. Infrastructure projects aimed at preventing flooding in urban and industrial areas along the coast necessitated the channeling and diversion of part of the lo

Flows through: United Arab Emirates.

River data from Wikidata (CC0); lengths normalised to a common unit.