Your search found 19 records
1 Edossa, D. C.; Babel, M. S.; Das Gupta, A.; Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele. 2005. Indigenous systems of conflict resolution in Oromia, Ethiopia. In van Koppen, Barbara; Butterworth, J.; Juma, I. (Eds.). African Water Laws: Plural Legislative Frameworks for Rural Water Management in Africa: An International Workshop, Johannesburg, South Africa, 26-28 January 2005. pp.29-1/29-13.
River basins ; Water allocation ; Conflict ; Water management ; Common property ; Natural resources / Ethiopia / Oromia / Awash River Basin
(Location: IWMI-HQ Call no: IWMI 333.91 G100 VAN Record No: H038765)
(0.25 MB)
2 Taddesse, G.; McCornick, Peter G.; Peden, D. 2004. Economic importance and environmental challenges of the Awash River Basin to Ethiopia. In Proceedings of Water Rights and Related Water Supply Issues, Water Management Conference, United States Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, 13-16 October 2004. pp.257-268.
River basins ; Crop production ; Cropping patterns ; Hydrology ; Desertification / Ethiopia / Awash River Basin
(Location: IWMI-HQ Call no: IWMI 333.91 G136 TAD Record No: H038822)
3 Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Yilma, A. D.; Loulseged, M.; Loiskandl, W.; Ayana, M.; Alamirew, T. 2007. Water resources and irrigation development in Ethiopia. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 66p. (IWMI Working Paper 123) [doi: https://doi.org/10.3910/2009.305]
Water resources ; Water potential ; River basins ; Lakes ; Reservoirs ; Water use ; Irrigation programs / Ethiopia / Abbay River Basin / Awash River Basin / Denakil River Basin / Genale Dawa River Basin / Wabi Shebele River Basin / Baro Akobo River Basin / Tekeze River Basin / Omo Ghibe River Basin / Rift Valley Basin / Mereb River Basin / Aysha River Basin / Ogaden River Basin / Amhara Regional State Irrigation Scheme / Oromia Region Irrigation Scheme / Tigray Region Irrigation Scheme
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI 631.7 G136 AWU Record No: H040631)
(462KB)
4 Kibret, S.; McCartney, Matthew; Lautze, Jonathan; Jayasinghe, G. 2009. Malaria transmission in the vicinity of impounded water: evidence from the Koka Reservoir, Ethiopia. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 39p. (IWMI Research Report 132) [doi: https://doi.org/10.3910/2009.129]
Malaria ; Waterborne diseases ; Disease vectors ; Habitats ; Disease control ; Entomology ; Epidemiology ; Surveys ; Dams ; Reservoirs ; Villages ; Case studies / Africa / Ethiopia / Koka Reservoir / Rift Valley / Awash River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI 614.532 G100 KIB Record No: H042338)
(1.26 MB)
The construction of dams in Africa is often associated with adverse malaria impacts in surrounding communities. However, the degree and nature of these impacts are rarely quantified and the feasibility of manipulating reservoir water levels to control mosquito breeding has not been previously investigated in Africa. This report describes entomological and epidemiological studies conducted around the Koka Dam and Reservoir in Ethiopia. The research findings confirm the role of the reservoir in increasing malaria transmission and provide evidence that there is potential to use dam operation in integrated malaria control strategies.
5 Beshir, A.; Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele. 2008. Analysis of irrigation systems using comparative performance indicators: a case study of two large scale irrigation systems in the upper Awash Basin. In Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Loulseged, Makonnen; Yilma, Aster Denekew (Comps.). Impact of irrigation on poverty and environment in Ethiopia: draft proceedings of the symposium and exhibition, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 27-29 November 2007. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) pp.77-92.
Irrigation systems ; Canals ; Pumping ; Performance indexes ; Models / Ethiopia / Awash River Basin / Nuraera Farm / Wonji Sugar Estate
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H044071)
(0.44 MB)
This research was conducted to introduce the concept of evaluating the countries large scale irrigation systems and using the IWMI’s minimum set of indicators for the same purpose. This was done by selecting two irrigation systems in the Upper Awash Basin. NuraEra state and Wonji estate farm were selected for their relatively better organization and management, nearness to weather station and their representative nature of the large scale irrigation systems in the country. The necessary primary and secondary data to calculate the nine indicators were collected which are measurement of canal capacity and pump capacity, and total yields, farm gate prices of irrigated crops, area irrigated per crop per season or per year, crop types, production per season or per year, incomes generated from water fee and cropping pattern. The indicators used are output per cropped area, output per command area, output per irrigation diverted, output per water consumed, relative water supply, relative irrigation supply, water delivery capacity, financial self sufficiency and gross return on investment. The result of the analysis shows that the ratio of RWS, RIS and WDC for NuraEra are 4.8, 6.6 and 1.4, for Wonji estate 1.36, 1.4 and 0.77 respectively. The four agricultural indicators; output per cropped area, output per command, output per irrigation supply and output per water consumed are in the order of 21017.44, 23791.21, 0.74 and 2.3 for NuraEra and 20074.97, 13916.03, 1.4 and 1.2 for Wonji, respectively. NuraEra spent 0.36 percent of its income in the year of analysis and that of Wonji is 0.17 percent for operation and maintenance of the delivery system. FSS was 100% for both of the farms. And gross return on investment was 84.7% for NuraEra and 76.8% for Wonji.
6 Reis, J.; Culver, T. B.; McCartney, Matthew; Lautze, Jonathan; Kibret, S. 2011. Water resources implications of integrating malaria control into the operation of an Ethiopian dam. Water Resources Research, 47(W09530):10p. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1029/2010WR01016]
Water resources ; Waterborne diseases ; Malaria ; Dams ; Reservoirs ; Simulation models ; Water power ; Energy generation ; Electricity generation ; Environmental flows ; Downstream ; Flooding ; Flood control ; Irrigation / Ethiopia / Awash River Basin / Koka Reservoir
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H044345)
(0.70 MB)
This paper investigates the water resources implications of using a method of hydrological control to reduce malaria around the Koka reservoir in central Ethiopia. This method is based on recent ndings that malaria is transmitted from the shoreline of the Koka reservoir, and on a similar method that was used to control malaria some 80 yr ago in the United States. To assess the feasibility of implementing hydrological control at Koka, we considered the potential impact of the modi ed management regime on the bene ts derived from current uses of the reservoir water (i.e., hydropower, irrigation, ood control, water supply, and downstream environmental ows). We used the HEC-ResSim model to simulate lowering the reservoir by a rate designed to disrupt larval development, which is expected to reduce the abundance of adult mosquito vectors and therefore reduce malaria transmission during the season in which transmission of the disease peaks. A comparison was made of major reservoir uses with and without the malaria control measure. In the 26-yr simulation, application of the malaria control measure increased total average annual electricity generation from 87.6 GWh x y -1 to 92.2 GWh x y -1 (i.e., a 5.3% increase) but resulted in a small decline in rm power generation (i.e., guaranteed at 99.5% reliability) from 4.16 MW to 4.15 MW (i.e., a 0.2% decrease). Application of the malaria control measure did not impact the ability of the reservoir to meet downstream irrigation demand and reduced the number of days of downstream ooding from 28 to 24 d. These results indicate that targeted use of hydrological control for malaria vector management could be undertaken without sacri cing the key bene ts of reservoir operation.
7 Mersha, A. N.; de Fraiture, C.; Mehari, A.; Masih, I.; Alamirew, T. 2016. Integrated water resources management: contrasting principles, policy, and practice, Awash River Basin, Ethiopia. Water Policy, 18(2):335-354. [doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2015.049]
Integrated management ; Water resources ; Water management ; Water policy ; River basins ; Water authorities ; Institutional reform ; Strategies ; Planning ; Water users ; Stakeholders ; Regulations ; Environmental effects / Ethiopia / Awash River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047559)
(0.60 MB)
Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) has been a dominant paradigm for water sector reform worldwide over the past two decades. Ethiopia, among early adopters, has developed a water policy, legislations, and strategy per IWRM core principles. However, considerable constraints are still in its way of realization. This paper investigates the central challenges facing IWRM implementation in the Awash Basin analyzing the discrepancy between IWRM principles, the approach followed in Ethiopia and its practice in the Awash Basin. A decade and a half since its adoption, the Ethiopian IWRM still lacks a well-organized and robust legal system for implementation. Unclear and overlapping institutional competencies as well as a low level of stakeholders’ awareness on policy contents and specific mandates of implementing institutions have prevented the Basin Authority from fully exercising its role as the prime institute for basin level water management. As a result, coordination between stakeholders, a central element of the IWRM concept, is lacking. Insufficient management instruments and planning tools for the operational function of IWRM are also among the major hurdles in the process. This calls for rethinking and action on key elements of the IWRM approach to tackle the implementation challenges.
8 Dinka, M. O. 2017. Lake Basaka expansion: challenges for the sustainability of the Matahara Irrigation Scheme, Awash River Basin (Ethiopia). Irrigation and Drainage, 66(3):305-315. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ird.2114]
Lakes ; Expansion ; Groundwater table ; Water quality ; Salinity ; Waterlogging ; Irrigation schemes ; Sustainability ; Landsat ; Imagery ; Spatial distribution ; Mapping ; Soil quality ; Soil fertility ; Agricultural production ; Sugarcane ; Plantations ; Productivity / Ethiopia / Lake Basaka / Awash River Basin / Matahara Irrigation Scheme
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048188)
(0.91 MB)
The Matahara Sugar Estate (MSE), after nearly 60 years of irrigation, is experiencing the effects of waterlogging and salinization in some fields. The problem is believed to be the result of the expansion of (saline and alkaline) Lake Basaka towards the plantation fields. The objective of this study was to determine the geometry of the lake (area and shape) in roughly the past half- century (1957–2015) from both Landsat images and local information and then assess its negative effects on MSE’s soil and water quality. Monthly groundwater (GW) depth was monitored using piezometer tubes. Water and soil samples were collected from each of the piezometer locations and analysed for important physico-chemical parameters. The results indicate that the lake expanded approximately 47.3 km2 in the past half-century. The soil quality was found to be very poor in plantation sections with very shallow GW depth and severe salinity conditions. The lake, as revealed by the results, is intruding into the groundwater system of MSE on the Abadir side. Assuming continuation of the past trends, the lake is expected to inundate parts of MSE in the next few years and, hence, challenge the production and productivity of MSE significantly. The lake has the potential to join the Awash River, thereby impacting all downstream irrigation developments in the basin and the livelihood of the people depending on the water resources. As the area is situated in the uppermost part of Main Ethiopian Rift Valley, other factors are expected to exacerbate its expansion even in the future. Overall, the study results present the potential damage caused by the lake to MSE and provides valuable information for the reclamation measures to be taken for the sustainability of MSE.
9 Taye, Meron Teferi; Dyer, E.; Charles, K. J.; Hirons, L. C. 2021. Potential predictability of the Ethiopian summer rains: understanding local variations and their implications for water management decisions. Science of the Total Environment, 755(Part 1):142604. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142604]
Rain ; Weather forecasting ; Water management ; Decision making ; Oceanic climate ; Temperature ; Climate change ; El Nino-Southern Oscillation ; Precipitation ; Spatial variation ; River basins ; Case studies / Ethiopia / Awash River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050014)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969720361337/pdf?md5=58c744b3a1e31d3bceecd1661ae3f3c3&pid=1-s2.0-S0048969720361337-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050014.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050014.pdf
(4.89 MB) (4.89 MB)
Understanding the influence of large-scale oceanic and atmospheric variability on rainfall over Ethiopia has huge potential to improve seasonal forecasting and inform crucial water management decisions at local levels, where data is available at appropriate scales for decision makers. In this study, drivers of Ethiopia‘s main rainy season, July-September (JAS), are investigated using correlation analysis with sea surface temperature (SST). The analysis showed local spatial variations in the drivers of JAS rainfall. Moreover, the analysis revealed strong correlation between March to May (MAM) SST and JAS rainfall in particular regions. In addition to the influence of SSTs, we highlighted one of the mechanisms explaining the regional pattern of SST influence on Ethiopian rainfall, the East African Low-Level Jet. Moreover, examining the occurrence of large-scale phenomena provided additional information, with very strong ENSO and positive IOD events associated with drier conditions in most part of Ethiopia. A sub-national analysis, focused at a scale relevant for water managers, on the Awash basin, highlighted two distinct climate zones with different relationships to SSTs. June was not included as part of the rainy season as in some areas June is a hot, dry month between rainy seasons and in others it can be used to update sub-seasonal forecasts with lead time of one month for JAS rainfall. This highlights the importance of understanding locally relevant climate systems and ensuing sub-seasonal to seasonal forecasts are done at the appropriate scale for water management in the complex topography and climatology of Ethiopia.
10 Kebede, S.; Charles, K.; Godfrey, S.; MacDonald, A.; Taylor, R. G. 2021. Regional-scale interactions between groundwater and surface water under changing aridity: evidence from the River Awash Basin, Ethiopia. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 15p. (Online first) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2021.1874613]
Groundwater flow ; Surface water ; Drylands ; River basins ; Water security ; Lakes ; Reservoirs ; Water resources ; Aquifers ; Stream flow ; Discharges ; Salinity ; Irrigation water ; Water budget ; Wetlands ; Hydrology ; Electrical conductivity ; Isotopes / Ethiopia / Awash River Basin / Lake Beseka
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050234)
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/02626667.2021.1874613
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050234.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050234.pdf
(8.05 MB) (8.05 MB)
Relationships between surface waters and groundwaters at basin scale are rarely investigated but have important implications for water resource development and management. Here, we integrate evidence from geochemical tracers and piezometry to advance the understanding of regional-scale, groundwater–surface water interactions in the River Awash Basin of Ethiopia. Hydrological characteristics are consistent with those observed in other semi-arid and arid basins where rivers are predominantly losing and act as a source of recharge rather than as a sink for groundwater discharge. Further, regional groundwater flow originating from the highlands exits the catchment rather than discharging to the riverine drainage. Consequently, groundwater abstraction from several regional-scale aquifers in the lowlands is not expected to impact river flow. However, salinity presents a major threat to irrigation and water supply. We identify critical areas for managing inflows, water use, wetlands and water quality that have significant implications for water security across the basin.
11 Mersha, A. N.; de Fraiture, C.; Masih, I.; Alamirew, T. 2021. Dilemmas of integrated water resources management implementation in the Awash River Basin, Ethiopia: irrigation development versus environmental flows. Water and Environment Journal, 35(1):402-416. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/wej.12638]
Integrated management ; Water resources ; Water management ; Environmental flows ; Irrigation ; River basins ; Food security ; Sustainable development ; Water availability ; Water demand ; Water use ; Water allocation ; Stakeholders ; Policies ; Institutions ; Legal aspects ; Social aspects ; Political aspects ; Awareness ; Ecosystems / Ethiopia / Awash River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050256)
(2.08 MB)
Environmental flows allocation is an intrinsic part of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). This paper analyses socio-political issues and effects of environmental flows integration on water availability under the context of increased agricultural intensification in an effort to tackle food insecurity. Lack of appropriate framework comprising the procedural requirements and strategic directions as well as prevalence of politically motivated ad hoc development programmes are among major challenges identified. Introducing environmental flows to a perceived satisfactory level would result in a significant increase of unmet irrigation water demand, yet, “productivity first” norm overtakes. This is presumed to be due to skewed focus on irrigation expansion and low awareness on the possible consequences. The particular challenges highlighted generally unveil the inherent contradictions in the IWRM concept putting its claim that the set of principles and entire course stand universally accepted as a means to balance socio-economic and environmental outcomes under question.
12 Birhanu, B.; Kebede, S.; Charles, K.; Taye, Meron; Atlaw, A.; Birhane, M. 2021. Impact of natural and anthropogenic stresses on surface and groundwater supply sources of the Upper Awash Sub-Basin, Central Ethiopia. Frontiers in Earth Science, 9:656726. [doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2021.656726]
Water supply ; Surface water ; Groundwater ; Water security ; Water demand ; Water management ; Water use ; Domestic water ; Conjunctive use ; Livestock ; Anthropogenic factors ; Climate change ; River basins ; Models / Ethiopia / Awash River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050843)
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2021.656726/pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050843.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050843.pdf
(18.30 MB) (18.3 MB)
Improving water security is critical to delivering the best outcomes for development. In Ethiopia, the upper Awash sub-basin supports expanding urban and industrial areas, with increasing water demands. Studies have preferentially focused either on surface water hydrology or on groundwater characterization. However, novel tools are required to support the conjunctive use of surface and groundwater for competing users under potential climate change impacts. In this paper, we present research based on a WEAPMODFLOW link configured for four catchments in the upper Awash sub-basin (Akaki, Melka Kunture, Mojo, and Koka). The Akaki catchment supplies water for Addis Ababa city. Unlike most surface water hydrological models, both supply (surface water and groundwater) and demand (domestic, industrial, and livestock) are modeled. The tool was used to evaluate the impacts of population growth, leakage, expansion of surface and groundwater supply schemes, and climate change scenarios up to the year 2030. Considering the high population growth rate scenario for Addis Ababa city, the unmet domestic water demand may increase to 760 MCM in 2030. Water leakage through poor water supply distribution networks contributed about 23% of the unmet water demand. Though not significant compared with population and water loss stresses, climate change also affect the supply demand condition in the basin. Planning for more groundwater abstraction without considering additional surface water reservoir schemes will noticeably impact the groundwater resource, with groundwater levels projected to decline by more than 20 m. Even more groundwater level decline is observed In the Akaki catchment, where Addis Ababa city is located. Conjunctive use of surface and groundwater not only boosts the supply demand situation in the basin but will lift off some of the stresses from the groundwater resources. Even under the likely increase in temperature and low precipitation climate scenarios, the conjunctive use resulted in a significant increase in domestic water demand coverage from 26% for the reference condition to 90% in 2030, with minimum effect on the groundwater resources. To improve water security conditions through sustainable utilization of both surface and groundwater resources, policy responses need to consider surface and groundwater conjunctive use. Minimizing water leakage should also be given the highest priority.
13 Asfaw, Wegayehu; Rientjes, T.; Haile, Alemseged Tamiru. 2023. Blending high-resolution satellite rainfall estimates over urban catchment using Bayesian Model Averaging approach. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 45:101287. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2022.101287]
Rain ; Estimation ; Catchment areas ; Urban areas ; Satellite observation ; Bayesian theory ; Models ; River basins ; Precipitation / Ethiopia / Addis Ababa / Awash River Basin / Akaki Catchment
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051574)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214581822003007/pdfft?md5=64a629a5b0401baf4f3f2da66556416b&pid=1-s2.0-S2214581822003007-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051574.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051574.pdf
(13.70 MB) (13.7 MB)
Study region: Akaki is a headwater catchment of Awash River Basin that hosts the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. The area encompasses several agglomerated towns, water supply, and hydropower reservoirs and is characterized by a chain of mountains and floodplains. Due to basin rainfall, and the expansion of urbanized areas, the catchment is frequently affected by flooding. Study focus: This study evaluates dynamic Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) approach to improve rainfall estimation over the catchment by blending four high-resolution satellite rainfall estimate (SRE) products. Using daily data (2003–2019) observed at thirteen stations as a reference, seven statistical metrics served to assess the point and spatial scale accuracy of the rainfall estimates.
New hydrological insights: Main findings from this study are: (i) the blended product outperformed the individual SRE products by notably improving correlation with in-situ observed rainfall, and reducing the error of the estimated rainfall, (ii) the blended and individual SRE products performed better in the highlands than the lowlands of the catchment, and (iii) the amount of daily rainfall during the main-rainy season was mostly overestimated by the individual SRE products but was fairly estimated by the blended product. This study showed the nonexistence of surpassing individual SRE products and emphasized the blending of several products for gaining optimal results from each product.
New hydrological insights: Main findings from this study are: (i) the blended product outperformed the individual SRE products by notably improving correlation with in-situ observed rainfall, and reducing the error of the estimated rainfall, (ii) the blended and individual SRE products performed better in the highlands than the lowlands of the catchment, and (iii) the amount of daily rainfall during the main-rainy season was mostly overestimated by the individual SRE products but was fairly estimated by the blended product. This study showed the nonexistence of surpassing individual SRE products and emphasized the blending of several products for gaining optimal results from each product.
14 Tedla, H. Z.; Taye, E. F.; Walker, D. W.; Haile, Alemseged Tamiru. 2022. Evaluation of WRF model rainfall forecast using citizen science in a data-scarce urban catchment: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 44:101273. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2022.101273]
Rain ; Weather forecasting ; Models ; Citizen science ; Urban areas ; Catchment areas ; Weather data ; Monitoring / Ethiopia / Addis Ababa / Akaki Catchment / Awash River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051575)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214581822002865/pdfft?md5=22730ccbb29c100b7f9cc8989888849f&pid=1-s2.0-S2214581822002865-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051575.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051575.pdf
(9.02 MB) (9.03 MB)
Study region: The Akaki catchment is found in the Upper Awash River Basin in Ethiopia.
Study focus: Understanding the accuracy of rainfall forecasts in the data-scarce urban catchment has a multitude of benefits given the increased urban flood risk caused by climate change and urbanization. In this study, accuracy of the weather research and forecasting (WRF) model rainfall forecast was evaluated using citizen science data. Categorical and continuous accuracy evaluation metrics were used beside gauge representativeness effect.
New hydrological insights for the region: The rainfall forecasts performance accuracy is high for 1–3- days lead-time but deteriorates for 4–5-days lead-time. The WRF model captured the temporal dynamics and the rainfall amount according to the estimated KGE values. The model has relatively higher detection performance for no rain and light rain events (< 6 mm/day), but it has lower performance for moderate and heavy rain events (> 6 mm/day). Use of data from a single rain gauge misrepresents the accuracy level of the rainfall forecast in the study area. The gauge representativeness error contributed a variance of 28.08–83.33 % to the variance of WRF-gauge rainfall difference. Thus, the use of citizen science rainfall monitoring program is an essential alternative source of information where in-situ rainfall monitoring is limited that can be used to understand the “true” accuracy of WRF rainfall forecasts.
Study focus: Understanding the accuracy of rainfall forecasts in the data-scarce urban catchment has a multitude of benefits given the increased urban flood risk caused by climate change and urbanization. In this study, accuracy of the weather research and forecasting (WRF) model rainfall forecast was evaluated using citizen science data. Categorical and continuous accuracy evaluation metrics were used beside gauge representativeness effect.
New hydrological insights for the region: The rainfall forecasts performance accuracy is high for 1–3- days lead-time but deteriorates for 4–5-days lead-time. The WRF model captured the temporal dynamics and the rainfall amount according to the estimated KGE values. The model has relatively higher detection performance for no rain and light rain events (< 6 mm/day), but it has lower performance for moderate and heavy rain events (> 6 mm/day). Use of data from a single rain gauge misrepresents the accuracy level of the rainfall forecast in the study area. The gauge representativeness error contributed a variance of 28.08–83.33 % to the variance of WRF-gauge rainfall difference. Thus, the use of citizen science rainfall monitoring program is an essential alternative source of information where in-situ rainfall monitoring is limited that can be used to understand the “true” accuracy of WRF rainfall forecasts.
15 Alemu, M. G.; Wubneh, M. A.; Worku, T. A. 2022. Impact of climate change on hydrological response of Mojo River catchment, Awash River Basin, Ethiopia. Geocarto International, 28p. (Online first) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/10106049.2022.2152497]
Climate change ; Precipitation ; Models ; Stream flow ; Water resources ; Land use ; Calibration ; Sensitivity analysis / Ethiopia / Awash River Basin / Mojo River Catchment
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051527)
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/10106049.2022.2152497?needAccess=true&role=button
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051527.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051527.pdf
(4.87 MB) (4.87 MB)
Climate change is a change in the state of climate identified by a change in temperature and precipitation that affect the hydrology of basins. This study has investigated the effects of climate change on the stream flow of Mojo River Catchment using (CORDEX)-Africa data outputs under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. Three-time horizons: near period (2006–2031), mid-period (2031–2055), and far period (2056–2080) were used. The SWAT model was used to simulate runoff. From the MIROC-MIROC5 Model result, the mean annual precipitation is increasing under RCP4.5 and decreasing under RCP 8.5. Similarly, the mean annual temperature shows an increasing trend for both scenarios. The mean annual streamflow shows a decreasing trend in the near and mid-future under both scenarios and only increases (by 6.31 m3/s) in the far future under RCP8.5. For MPI-M-MPI-ESM-LR, the mean annual precipitation shows a decreasing trend under RCP 4.5 and increasing under RCP 8.5, but the mean annual temperature becomes increasing for both scenarios. However, streamflow shows an increase under both scenarios in the all-time horizons and decreases (by 6.68 m3/s) under RCP 8.5 in the near and mid-future. The result of this study indicates that climate change affects streamflow. Therefore, different water-based design operations should incorporate climate change scenarios.
16 Dinku, M. B.; Kebede, H. H. 2023. Identification and mapping of surface irrigation potential in the data-scarce Jewuha Watershed, Middle Awash River Basin, Ethiopia. Hydrology Research, 54(10):1227-1245. [doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/nh.2023.082]
Surface irrigation ; Land use ; Land cover ; Water supply ; Geographical information systems ; Surface water ; Land suitability ; Watersheds ; Rainfall ; Water resources ; Land evaluation ; Sprinkler irrigation ; Models / Ethiopia / Addis Ababa / Jewuha Watershed / Awash River Basin / Shewa Robit
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052298)
https://iwaponline.com/hr/article-pdf/54/10/1227/1311899/nh0541227.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052298.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052298.pdf
(1.26 MB) (1.26 MB)
This study was conducted to identify and map the surface irrigation potential in the data-scarce Jewuha watershed of the Awash Basin, Ethiopia. The suitability of the land, based on the soil characteristics and slope, was first assessed by the parametric evaluation technique. The overall suitability of the land was then evaluated considering additional factors including land use land cover, proximity to a water source and road using weighted overlay analysis through the analytic hierarchical process (AHP). Water diversion sites as the source of water supply points were selected based on theoretical site selection criteria with the help of a geographic information system (GIS) and physical observation. The surface water available at the diversion sites was estimated using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model combined with the spatial proximity regionalization technique. The land suitability analysis revealed that 16.7% (11,359 ha) of the study area is suitable for surface irrigation. Five diversion sites were identified as sources of water supply and the total flows at these sites were 12.92 Mm3. It was found that only 27.3% (3,098 ha) of the suitable land, 5% of the total area of the watershed, can be effectively developed by surface irrigation.
17 Nigussie, Likimyelesh; Joshi, Deepa; Tsegaye, B.; Admasu, W.; Abate, N. 2024. Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) for climate-smart water management practices: the case of Upper Awash River Basin of Wollo and Lower Awash River Basin of Afar in Ethiopia. Synthesis report prepared by the Prioritization of Climate-smart Water Management Practices project. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 24p. [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2024.206]
Gender equality ; Social inclusion ; Climate change ; Water management ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Small-scale irrigation ; Women's empowerment ; Institutions ; Communities ; Households ; River basins / Ethiopia / Awash River Basin / Wollo / Afar / Kalu / Habru / Ewa / Afambo
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052586)
(19.8 MB)
This research study on gender and water resources management, led by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and its partners in Ethiopia, was designed to collect primary and secondary data on how smallholder agricultural producer communities in selected catchments are impacted by and cope with climate change. Our focus was on exploring opportunities and barriers for designing and implementing gender-responsive and climate resilient water resources planning and management interventions that are contextually relevant. The research findings will be further translated into actionable recommendations for gender-responsive decision support tools for climate-smart water resources management. The study, informed by the Gender Empowerment Framework and a qualitative research methodology, analyzed soil and water conservation initiatives and small-scale irrigation (SSI) interventions in four districts of the Awash River Basin. These locations were the Kalu and Habru districts from the Upper Awash Catchment in Wollo, and the Ewa and Afambo districts from the Lower Awash Catchment in Afar. These four districts were chosen for their diversity of conservation initiatives and livelihoods. Data were collected from a total sample size of 309 individuals – 288 of whom were smallholder farmers (160 women and 128 men) and 21 were key informants from local government offices – by conducting 96 in-depth interviews, 24 focus group discussions and 21 key informant interviews. The data were analyzed to assess the gender dynamics of productivity, production and practices, and SSI practices, focusing on three key dimensions: resources, agency and institutions. The three key results and recommendations are as follows:
First, climate impacts result in diverse outcomes for women (and men). It causes malnutrition in persons with special needs and increases the workload of women and girls, who are predominantly responsible for domestic work. This requires interventions that focus on the needs, priorities, barriers and challenges of these groups, and ensure targeted opportunities in decision-making, access to resources and services, and benefits.
Second, deep-rooted sociocultural norms and barriers impact outreach efforts for women and marginalized groups; this includes the effective engagement of these groups in capacity building training programs, and their access to relevant information, entrepreneurial opportunities and linkages across the value chains. Without addressing these barriers, making a sustained impact in terms of gender equality and social inclusion will not be possible. We recommend adopting interventions that address the structural barriers to women’s participation in leadership positions, promoting gender-responsive practices across institutions and building synergy among relevant stakeholders.
Third, insufficient institutional capacities among implementing actors present key obstacles to the design and implementation of gender-responsive climate-smart water technologies and practices. Overcoming these challenges necessitates commitment from leaders and the allocation of sufficient resources to establish and enhance institutional systems such as mechanisms for accountability, monitoring and evaluation. Additionally, it entails evidence-based and data-driven research on gender to collate gender and social inclusion challenges.
This report presents a synthesis focused on the methodology and key findings of the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) study. For further information, the reader is advised to refer to the detailed report prepared as part of the study, which can be accessed by contacting the lead author.
First, climate impacts result in diverse outcomes for women (and men). It causes malnutrition in persons with special needs and increases the workload of women and girls, who are predominantly responsible for domestic work. This requires interventions that focus on the needs, priorities, barriers and challenges of these groups, and ensure targeted opportunities in decision-making, access to resources and services, and benefits.
Second, deep-rooted sociocultural norms and barriers impact outreach efforts for women and marginalized groups; this includes the effective engagement of these groups in capacity building training programs, and their access to relevant information, entrepreneurial opportunities and linkages across the value chains. Without addressing these barriers, making a sustained impact in terms of gender equality and social inclusion will not be possible. We recommend adopting interventions that address the structural barriers to women’s participation in leadership positions, promoting gender-responsive practices across institutions and building synergy among relevant stakeholders.
Third, insufficient institutional capacities among implementing actors present key obstacles to the design and implementation of gender-responsive climate-smart water technologies and practices. Overcoming these challenges necessitates commitment from leaders and the allocation of sufficient resources to establish and enhance institutional systems such as mechanisms for accountability, monitoring and evaluation. Additionally, it entails evidence-based and data-driven research on gender to collate gender and social inclusion challenges.
This report presents a synthesis focused on the methodology and key findings of the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) study. For further information, the reader is advised to refer to the detailed report prepared as part of the study, which can be accessed by contacting the lead author.
18 Mekuria, Wolde; Hagos, Fitsum; Nigussie, Likimyelesh; Admasu, W.; Bitew, A. 2024. Impacts of landscape and household climate-smart water management practices in the Awash River Basin, Ethiopia. Synthesis report prepared by the Prioritization of Climate-smart Water Management Practices project. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 32p. [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2024.214]
Landscape conservation ; Water management ; Climate change adaptation ; Households ; River basins ; Watersheds ; Small-scale irrigation ; Vulnerability ; Natural resources ; Forest landscape restoration ; Livelihoods ; Gender ; Women ; Marginalization ; Social groups ; Communities ; Socioeconomic impact ; Food security ; Geographical information systems ; Remote sensing ; Flooding ; Drought / Ethiopia / Awash River Basin / Maybar-Felana Watershed / Gelana Watershed / Ewa Watershed / Afambo Watershed
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052701)
(1.07 MB)
There is growing evidence that climate-related risk is increasing, and this will affect the livelihoods of small-scale producers (SSPs), with the effects being more severe in agropastoral and pastoral farming systems. In the Awash River Basin, the vulnerability of SSPs is mounting because of anthropogenic and climatic factors. Investigating the impact of landscape management practices and the interaction of SSPs with natural resources would inform sustainable planning, implementing and managing interventions. This study was conducted in four watersheds in the Awash River Basin: Maybar-Felana, Gelana, Ewa and Afambo. The overarching objective was to assess the biophysical and socioeconomic impacts and gender dimensions of landscape management practices. The researchers also investigated the links between natural resource degradation and the vulnerability of natural resource-dependent people, and the contributions of landscape management practices to address these issues. The study analyzed data gathered through 500 household surveys, 51 key informant interviews, 96 in-depth household interviews, 36 focus group discussions, and Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing techniques. The results indicated that diverse household-, farm- and watershed-level landscape management practices were adopted in the four watersheds. The findings indicated that implementing these practices could improve natural resources and the services they provide. The adopted practices contributed to reducing livelihood vulnerability by minimizing the effects of weather extremes (floods and droughts), improving food and water security, enhancing resource availability and building livelihood assets. Practicing small-scale irrigation (SSI) has a positive and significant effect on the household Food Consumption Score (FCS) and the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS). Stone bunds and SSI have a significant impact on lowering the score on the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). The findings suggest that women and other marginalized groups (children, the elderly and resource-poor households) are the most affected by climate change and natural resource degradation. Government and non-government organizations recognize the needs of women and marginalized social groups in designing and implementing landscape management initiatives by prioritizing their participation in initiatives to empower them economically (e.g., involving them in income-generating activities) and socially (e.g., building social capital). Despite efforts to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment in landscape management initiatives, women and marginalized social groups remain vulnerable and benefit less due to various factors, including social norms and limited institutional capacities. Gender norms, values and practices embedded within individuals, households, communities and institutions hinder progress. Limited institutional capacities, such as financial and human capacities remain challenges. This study offers recommendations to maximize and sustain the contributions of landscape management practices to reduce the vulnerability of SSPs.
19 Taye, Meron Teferi; Seid, Abdulkarim H.; Tekleab, S.; Tilaye, R.; Abebe, S.; Admassu, W.; Bitew, A.; Abdulkadir, O.; Mohammed, M.; Berhanu, B. 2024. Multi-scale water resources assessment in Awash Basin, Ethiopia. Synthesis report prepared by the Prioritization of Climate-smart Water Management Practices project. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 34p. [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2024.211]
Water resources ; water management ; Water demand ; Water use ; Assessment ; River basins ; Hydrology ; Groundwater ; Climate change ; Vulnerability ; Climate resilience ; Decision-support systems ; Watersheds ; Water availability ; Institutions / Ethiopia / Awash River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052839)
(23.9 MB)
Water resources management under a changing climate requires a multi-scale water resources understanding of a given basin. The Awash River Basin of Ethiopia is experiencing various water management challenges due to its complex hydro-climatological conditions and a range of water users, hence understanding the anthropogenic impacts on hydrological changes is complex. The study is aimed at improving the climate resilience of water management practices at multiple spatial scales. This report is a synthesis of the multi-scale water resources assessment of the Awash Basin. The objectives are: (1) characterization of the basin’s distribution and availability of water; (2) identification of the existing water resources planning and management practices; (3) challenges at multiple scales; and (4) developing recommendations to address observed gaps. The approach used to meet these objectives is a water resources assessment from the landscape to the basin-scale. This is to understand the current practices on water management through field observation, stakeholder consultations, and the analysis of existing data and literature on water resources of the basin. Field observations were conducted on selected learning watersheds in three sub-basins: Borkena, Mille and Awash Terminal. The specific watersheds are Felana, Lake Maybar and Gelana, and Ewa and Afambo. The key challenges to water resources management that were observed at basin, sub-basin and watershed levels are: (1) inadequate data and information on key hydrological variables that led to a lack of recent knowledge on water availability, actual water use, types and potentials of water sources; (2) lack of decision-support tools that would provide strategic and operational level information for risk-based planning and management of water resources (3) lack of appropriate water infrastructure and context-specific technologies that can support small-scale producers (SSPs) and basin-level water managers; (4) lack of well-coordinated institutions to govern and manage water resources from catchment to basin levels; and (5) lack of technical skills and knowledge on how to monitor water availability, water use, and the application of tools. The implications of these challenges are visible in water scarcity observed during dry seasons for different sectors; low agricultural productivity; upstream-downstream tension on water; flooding damages in peak rainfall seasons; and deterioration in water quality that impacts agriculture and drinking water supply. This study finds out that the practice of water resources management in the basin requires substantial strengthening to make it climate resilient. The study proposes strategies that would help in making climate-smart water resources management practices in the basin. Climate-smart water resources management is defined as the practice that would maximize the goods and services that can be produced from limited water resources; minimize the impact of climate extremes - floods and droughts at multiple scales; curtail the impact of rainfall variability on small-scale producers, and enhance water resources planning and management at the basin-scale. To achieve these goals, the study proposes to utilize five strategies which are: (1) improving availability and access to timely and context-specific climate and water information services that are well coordinated across sectors; (2) enhancing water use efficiency and productivity at multiple scales and sectors; (3) promoting integrated water storage use and management; (4) improving climate-resilient water governance; and (5) multilevel and inclusive capacity development. The adoption and implementation of these strategies are envisaged to facilitate effective sustainable water resources management in the Awash Basin.
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