What is wadi

In some cases, an underground river or spring can be found in a wadi; these water sources are remnants of the body of water which once went through the wadi, and they can be a valuable resource for people who live and travel in the desert.

As a result, a wadi may sometimes be used like an oasis, as a place to stop and refresh water supplies, and in some cases small communities have been built around wadis. Wadis can be found across the Middle East, and they vary widely in size. Natives are typically familiar with the wadis in their region, and they are aware of how dangerous they can potentially be. Visitors are encouraged to ask about local wadis, especially if they are traveling during the rainy season, to ensure that they do not end up in a potentially dangerous location.

It is an especially bad idea to make camp in a wadi during the rainy season, as floodwaters can appear very suddenly and they will rip staked tents right out of the ground. The wadi floor is usually covered with silt and has rounded boulders that have been tumbled smooth by the motion of the water.

A heavy rain often produces a flash flood in which rock debris and sediment from the wadi floor are carried along with the water. A huge amount of sediment can be moved in a short time during a flash flood. The water foams, because of trapped air bubbles. Heavier materials are dropped first, and the finest material travels the farthest. Some wadis contain sparse vegetation along their channels.

In the Libyan Desert, the only vegetation outside oases is found in the wadis. Types of vegetation there include grasses, shrubs, and several varieties of acacia trees. The rest of the tributaries are wadi s, dry except after rains. These rivers, in short, become Arabian wadi s, on which see Hast.

There were three mountains with steep wadi s in between, and each company was given a hill which formed an isolated post. New Word List Word List. Save This Word!