<p class="MsoNormal">Wad Meskin Irrigation Project is located on the right bank of the Rahad River and southeast of the town of Hawata and straddles the boundary between the Gezira and Gedarif states of Sudan. The project was one of three priority projects identified by the Eastern Nile states under the Eastern Nile Irrigation and Drainage Study (ENIDS). The project comprises of the development of a 7,500 ha irrigation scheme and construction of a reinforced cement concrete barrage (the Abu Rakham Barrage) to control flood flows of the Dinder and Rahad Rivers. <p class="MsoNormal">The project feasibility studies were completed in 2010. with funding from the African Development Fund.</p>
Wad Meskin barrage across Rahad River has been planned to regulate the flood flows during rainy season, for Dinder and Rahad rivers so as to satisfy the needs of Rahad Project Phase I, through Abu Rakham barrage as a downstream regulator, and to divert water to Rahad Project Phase II for summer crops through a main canal. This same barrage would regulate water transported from the Roseires Dam, after the heightening project completion, with the link canal through Dinder River barrage to the project.
It lies between Hawata town and Wad Meskin on the eastern side of the seasonal Rahad river. The defunct railway line from Khartoum to Gadarif then Port Sudan crosses the Rahad river at Hawata which lies on the northern end of the project. The Wad Meskin Project site is close to the Rahad Project Phase II.The project area is located on the eastern bank of Rahad River and its land is shared between Gezira and Gadarif States.
The 53.8 km long open earth canal linking the two barrages at Salsal and Wad Meskin on Dinder and Rahad Rivers respectively. Its function is to convey part of Dinder waters to Rahad.