BADGHIS PROVINCE, Afghanistan – An agricultural advisor, working with coalition special operations forces, conducted a site survey of a canal in the Morghab district, Sept. 5.
The canal, which stretches from Dervish Mohammedi to Tangi Buzbai, is a major source of agricultural prosperity in the region.
During the site survey, the advisor and SOF team members were escorted to major areas of concern by local village elders, while members of the Afghan Local Police provided security.
Currently, the canal is composed of earthen walls, which are prone to failure based on their loose composition. The agricultural advisor indicated that some areas are more prone to fail based on water flow and location in the canal.
The advisor also determined that if there is a failure in the canal, all farms down river would be affected until repairs could be made.
After completing the canal survey, the advisor and SOF team members determined that a majority of the dangerously weak areas could be fixed with basic construction materials and local labor.
A SOF team member reported that there was one location in the canal that would require an aqueduct to stabilize the position and the overall water system.
Moving forward, village elders, the advisor and SOF team members created a list of priorities for the canal and scheduled the reconstruction work to begin immediately.