Iraq's Historic Marshes Revive as Water Levels Rise After Drought

Rising water levels are reviving Iraq's historic marshes after years of severe drought left large areas cracked and empty, drawing buffalo herders and fishermen back to regions once abandoned. In the southern Chibayish marshes, canoes glide through waterways that had dried up in recent years while water buffalo wade through restored marshland and patches of green pasture have reappeared.

The revival follows heavy winter rainfall that boosted reservoir levels, enabling the water resources ministry to release growing volumes into the wetlands. Some time ago, all our livestock died and there was no water at all. Many of our people migrated because of the drought.

Haidar Qassem, a farmer raising water buffalo in the central marsh, described the recent return of water this year, with livestock numbers recovering and some families coming back. Residents continue to hope for further water releases to sustain the gains.

Iraqi marshland expert Jassim al-Assadi said the Ishan Hallab area, part of the marshes believed by some to be the biblical Garden of Eden and designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2016, had dried up completely between 2021 and 2025. In recent months wetter conditions have helped restore the area, reviving pastureland and allowing some residents to return.

Al-Assadi reported the proportion of submerged marshland has risen to between 32% and 36%, compared with no more than 8% over the past five years. Iraqi water resources officials confirmed that assessment. The higher water levels are supporting a gradual recovery in biodiversity, including fish stocks, vegetation growth and reeds that residents use to build traditional homes.