The urban and rural texture of Mosta

Abstract

The outstanding geomorphological feature in Mosta is the Wied Speranza-Wied il-Ghasel dry valley system. This is a water course system that crosses from west to east of the northern area of the island. It drains the Rabat-Dingli plateau starting from Wied Liemu and Wied Busbies, limits of Rabat, that joins at Fiddien and meanders westwards as Wied il-Qlejgha, also known as Chadwick Lakes, which, as it enters Mosta, is known as Wied Speranza, heading to Wied il-Ghasel, that together with the tributaries of Wied is-Sir and Wied Filep drains at the Burmarrad and Salina low lands. Towards the Speranza and the Wied il-Ghasel proper, the valley becomes drier than the upper Wied il-Ghasel system as at Wied il-Qlejgha. This may be attributed to a solution hollow at Wied Speranza that receives most of the water flow and hence reduces the surface flow down the course. Nevertheless, the dry valley holds water perennially after heavy rain falls. This valley system was probably formed during wetter periods.