Micro dams group proposal 1

NILE BASIN CAPACITY BUILDING NETWORK

RIVER ENGINEERING

RIVER STRUCTURE RESEARCH CLUSTER (ETHIOPIA)

MICRO DAMS GROUP

Draft Research Proposal on

Assessment of existing micro dams in Ethiopia,
Sudan and Uganda

by

Dr. Kamal Eldin Bashar 1

Mr. Micheal Kizaa 2
And
Dr. Bayou Chane3
Dr. Yilma Seleshi3 - Research Coordinator

June 2003

1. UNESCO Chair in Water, Hydrologist, Sudan

2. Civil Engineer, Department of Civil Engineering, Mekerere University, Uganda
3. Civil Engineer, Department of Civil Engineering, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.

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Table of contents:

SUMMARY.......................................................................................................................................................3

1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................4

2. JUSTIFICATION FOR CONSTRUCTING MICRO-DAMS ..................................................................5

3. BACK GROUND TO RESEARCH PROPOSAL.....................................................................................6

4. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES.......................................................................................................................7

5. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................................7

6. USE OF RESULTS AND DISSEMINATIONS ........................................................................................8

7 TIME AND WORK PLAN ..........................................................................................................................9

8 BUDGET .....................................................................................................................................................10

9. REFERENCES ...........................................................................................................................................11

ANNEX I – PRELIMINARY INVENTORY OF MICRO DAMS IN SUDAN.......................................12

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SUMMARY

During the regional workshop on Capacity building in River Engineering – River

Structures Cluster held in Addis Ababa, 4-6 March 2003, the micro dam1 group have been
formed from four node countries forming the Ethiopian – River Structures cluster namely
Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan and Uganda. The lead researchers constituting the micro-dam group
at the formation stage were:

Mr. Alem Gena Alene (Ethiopia)

Dr. Bayou Chane (Ethiopia)
Mr. Eyasu Yazew (Ethiopia)
Mr. Ibrahim El-Dousoki (Egypt)
Dr. Kamal Eldin Bashar (Sudan)
Mr. Micheal Kizaa (Uganda)
Mr. Tsehagune Kebede (Ethiopia)
Mr. Yacob Wondimkun (Ethiopia)
Dr. Yilma Seleshi (Ethiopia) - Group coordinator.

In the workshop, the micro dams group identified the following preliminary research
topics:
ƒ Sediment yield estimation in micro dams
ƒ Sediment control measures
ƒ Watershed management aspects of micro dam catchments
ƒ Runoff yield estimation
ƒ Causes of micro dam failures
ƒ Stability analysis with limited data
ƒ Affordable and safe design of dam appurtenant structures
ƒ Seepage and leakage measurement and control techniques.

Although the above problems have been identified, we do not know at this stage the critical
problem that the Nile basin (especially the upper basin areas) faces regarding sustainable
micro-dam development.

1
Micro dam herein defined (will agree later on general definition) as a barrier constructed across a river or a
natural stream to create a reservoir for impounding water, or facilitate diversion of water from the river or to
retain debris flowing in the river along the water. The height of the micro dam is less than 25m or a storage
volume smaller than 2Mm3 whichever applies.

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To address this research gap, the first phase of the project is devoted to assess problems
identified above, but not limited to it, in Ethiopia, Sudan and Uganda by inventorying the
existing micro dams and their problems. Literatures regarding existing micro dams will
also be collected. Finally analysis will be made on the assessed data to prioritize problems
areas and recommend research topics to be taken forward in second phase of the project.

1. INTRODUCTION

The need to conserve water resources through technologies that can easily be managed by
the rural community has resulted in the use of small earth dams (Figure 1), constructed by
the local communities themselves, as sources of water supply for the development of
irrigated agriculture. However, it should be pointed out at the outset that the development
of small dams for irrigation is being threatened by (1) sedimentation problems arising from
the degradation of catchment areas fueled by four pressure indicators namely agricultural
production, rapid population growth, poverty and wood energy demands, (2) in appropriate
runoff estimation methods resulting in over sizing or under-sizing of dams, (3) and
unreliable spillway flood estimation methods.

Figure 1. Schematic of a micro dam.

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In the last decade a number of micro dams have been constructed in Ethiopia, Sudan and
Uganda to be used for irrigation and water supply (domestic and cattle) purposes. It is
known that most of them were designed under inadequate hydrological data condition -
their stream flows / creek flows were not gauged. Some of the reservoirs failed to deliver
the design yields. Some of them filled in few years with sediments. Some failed due to
overtopping. Some failed due dam failure- stability problems.

In Uganda, for example, micro-dams are mainly used for storing water for livestock in the
cattle belt. They are also referred to as valley dams because surface runoff and small
tributaries collecting in a valley bottom are impounded to form the dams. They range in
capacity from 46,000m3 to 1,000,000 m3 while the head ranges from 3-7m. The dams are
mainly constructed as earth-fill embankments and seepage and leakage are important
factors in their design and operation. In fact most failure of the micro-dams in the past have
been attributed to seepage and sedimentation.

The Uganda government is interested in increased water availability to the population with
vast investments in under the Water for Production programme. A total of 425 micro-dams
have been constructed in semi arid areas of Nakasongola, Mbarara, Kotido and Moroto
districts. A further 1000 dams are to be constructed over the next 5 years. On the other
hand problems associated with loss of water are very common. Monitoring of the
performance of existing dams is non-existent. However, reports of failed and failing dams
are common in the press. Many of these failures are associated with water loss due to
seepage and leakage. At one time a number of dams were constructed in Karamoja district
but they were unable to retain water for any extended period of time, probably because of
insufficient seepage and leakage assessment during the design process. There is, therefore
need to investigate causes of these failures with the aim of designing better dams in future.

Systematized assessment on micro dams that have been successful and failed and their
causes of success and failure has not been done. This study will address this research gap
by first inventorying existing micro dams Ethiopia, Sudan and Uganda. Secondly, the
inventoried micro-dams conditions will be assessed. Finally analysis will be made on the
assessed data to prioritize problems areas and recommend research topics to be taken
forward in second phase of the project.

2. JUSTIFICATION FOR CONSTRUCTING MICRO-DAMS

In tropical unimodal or bimodal rainfall areas of the upper Nile countries, the need to
develop irrigated agriculture is justified by a number of factors.

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Firstly, these areas are in particular Ethiopia are prone to droughts. Nearly all the droughts
that have taken place so far have been associated with the El Nino and the Southern
Oscillation (ENSO) phenomena which is recurring regularly.

Secondly, long dry spells occasionally disrupt the rainfall season. In areas where rainfall is
unimodal, protracted dry spells sometimes interrupt the rainy season with serious
repercussions on crop production. Even minor water deficits have had dramatic impacts on
crop yields especially when these shortages take place during the flowering stage of the
crop. Under such circumstances supplementary irrigation is crucial for the sustenance of
crop growth and maturity. The unimodal nature of rainfall pattern places limitations on the
varieties of crops that can be produced. Crops that need a lot of water during the dry season
months require the use of irrigation systems. Irrigated agriculture therefore offers these
countries an opportunity to achieve crop diversification program.

Thirdly, the increase in population growth calls for improved agricultural production to
match the demand for food. The rapid increase in population growth has led to declining
amount of arable land. Under rainfed conditions crop production on such land is inadequate
for food security. However, with the introduction of dry season farming through irrigation
the productivity can be enhanced. Hence there is need for intensification of agriculture
production through irrigation to keep pace with the population growth and job creation.

Finally, livestock productivity is highly constrained by lack of adequate feed and drinking
water supply in the dry season. Where conditions of acute shortages of forage prevail
severe reductions in livestock numbers occur. Irrigation could be used to produce livestock
feed and also provide drinking water during the dry season.

3. BACK GROUND TO RESEARCH PROPOSAL

During the regional workshop on Capacity building in River Engineering – River

Structures held in Addis Ababa, 4-6 March 2003 we have identified the following problems
in micro dams under Ethiopian River Structure Cluster:

Sediment yield estimation in micro dams, sediment control measures, watershed

management aspects of micro dam catchments, runoff yield estimation, causes of micro
dam failures, stability analysis with limited data, affordable and safe design of dam
appurtenant structures, and seepage and leakage measurement and control techniques.

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The prevalence of the identified problems are not known by country or by the basin. We do
not know at this stage the critical problem that the Nile basin faces regarding sustainable
micro-dam development.

To address this research gap, the first phase of the first six month of the project is devoted
to assessments of the problems indicated above in each of the cluster country by
inventorying the existing micro dams and their problems. Literatures regarding existing
micro dams will also be collected. Finally analysis will be made on the assessed data to
prioritize problems areas and recommend research topics to be taken forward in second
phase of the project.

4. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

The overall objective of this research is to assess and evaluate the river engineering
problem that encountered in micro-dam development at design, construction, and
implementation stages.

The specific objectives are:

(i) To inventories existing micro dams in Ethiopia, the Sudan and Uganda.
(ii) To assess the performance of the inventoried micro – dams based on
documentation available and limited field visit a regional offices who
administer them.
(iii) Prioritize important research areas (significant problems encountered in the
three countries) and recommend research topics to be taken forward in second
phase of the project.

5. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The research methodology basically contains the following elements:

- Data collection and processing including inventory.
- Document investigations relevant to the micro-dams in particular in
Ethiopia, the Sudan and Uganda.
- Discussions with relevant authorities working on the development of
micro-dams.
- Developing a database using the NBCBN platform
- Initial analysis of data on the selected micro dams
- Short period field work will be also made

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6. USE OF RESULTS AND DISSEMINATIONS

The study result will generate useful information regarding the micro dams development
challenges encountered and existing practices in the development of micro dams in the
River Structures cluster countries. In this study many stakeholders (micro-dam users,
Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Donors, Private consultants, NGOs,
etc) will be made aware of the project at its early stage.

Dissemination of the project results is accomplished through:

1. The NBCBN platform (e-newsletters)
2. Providing general information/data for public including project users
3. Technical papers
4. Workshop/ seminars/ Lectures
5. Uses of results for fund raising.

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7 TIME AND WORK PLAN

No. Task April May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov
1. Research Proposal ==================
Egypt, Sudan, Uganda , and
Ethiopia Nodes; and by Micro
dam coordinator
2. Literature review: =========================================
Egypt, Sudan, Uganda , and
Ethiopia Nodes; and by Micro
dam coordinator
3. Data collection in some cases ==========
field work is involved:
Egypt, Sudan, Uganda , and
Ethiopia Node
4. Preliminary analysis: ==========
Egypt, Sudan, Uganda , and
Ethiopia Nodes; and by Micro
dam coordinator
5. Draft Report: =========
Egypt, Sudan, Uganda , and
Ethiopia Nodes; and by Micro
dam coordinator
6. Final Report: =========
Egypt, Sudan, Uganda , and
Ethiopia Nodes; and by Micro
dam coordinator

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8 BUDGET

Total budget available is 12500 USD for the components including small investments and
contribution for researcher times.

No. Activities Sudan Uganda Egypt Ethiopia Total Total

node node node Node & Man- USD
Man-day Coordinator day

Man Days
1. Research Proposal writing 20 20 20 20 100 1800
up (node countries)
2 Compiling and proposal 100 100 1000
write up by research
coordinator by research
coordinator
3. Literature review on micro 40 40 40 40 160 1600
dams
5. Inventory of micro dams 50 50 50 50 200 2000
and other relevant data
collection
6. Preliminary analysis 30 30 30 30 120 1200
7. Draft Report – 30 30 30 30 120 1200
prioritization of challenges
in micro-dam development
(Node countries and
research coordinators)
8 Draft report write up by 150 150 1500
research coordinator and
his two assistants
9 Final Report including 30 30 30 30 120 1200
recommendation of phase
two research topics
2 Compiling and writing up 200 2000
of final report by Research
coordinator
200 200 200 650 1250 12 500

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9. REFERENCES

Admasu, G (1988) Regional analysis on some aspects of stream flow characteristics in

Ethiopia. Draft report, Addis Ababa University.

EVDSA/WAPCOS, (1990). Preliminary Water resources Development Master Plan for

Ethiopian Final Report, Volume, Annex A: hydrology & Hydrogeology, Addis Ababa

Maidment, R.D (Editor in Chief) (1993) Handbook of Hydrology. McGraw-Hill

MWR/REDECO (1998). Abbay River Basin Integrated Development Master Plan Project.
Phase 1, Reconnaissance.

MWR/NEDECO (1998) Tekeze River Basin Integrated Development Master Plan Project.
Phase 1, Reconnaissance.

MWR/Coyne Et Bellier/ Howard Humphreys/ Rust (1996) Tis Abay II Hydropower

Project, Feasibility Study.

Ponce, V.M. (1989) Engineering Hydrology, principles and practices. Prentice Hall.

USBR (1964) Land and water resources of the Blue Nile basin, Appendix III, Hydrology,
Delartment of State Agency for International Development.

WMO, (1994) Guide to Hydrological practices, WMO-No. 168, Geneva.

Other Literature Sources:

The Ministry of Water Resources Library

The World Wide Web
Team Members
Addis Ababa University
Arbaminch University

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ANNEX I – PRELIMINARY INVENTORY OF MICRO DAMS IN SUDAN

Micro dams in Sudan are important tool of water harvesting especially in the areas, which
have limited rainfall, seasonal wadis and where groundwater is difficult to utilize. In these
areas the rainfall is collected during the rainy season to be utilized during dry season. The
importance of small dams in Sudan evolves from the fact that it can be the only source of
domestic water supply in some areas. Thus, it constitutes the backbone for economic and
social development for rural areas.

There is no specific definition for micro dams in Sudan; however, a general definition as
used among professionals is those dams constructed in seasonal wadis. Up to season
1975/76 there were over 40 micro dams in Sudan with a total capacity of more than 22
million m3. In the past the Corporation for Rural Water Resources Development were the
sole authority for the design and construction of the micro dams. This authority gave the
following definition to micro dams:

“Those dams constructed in a basin which have a mean annual discharge of 1 milliard m3,
capable of being realized by local investment and no foreign consultancy is needed.”

Table A gives an inventory of the small dams in Sudan up to season 1975-76. The
inventory include the name, location, capacity and season of construction of the micro dam

Table B shows an inventory of the micro dams constructed after 1976 and their status.
While Table C shows details of proposed micro dams.

The design of micro dams requires intensive studies and data collection including
hydrometeorologic, geologic, topographic, soil, and land use data in addition to socio-
economic data.

Most of the micro dams are constructed for domestic water supply purposes and in some
occasions for domestic water supply and irrigation water supply. These dams differ in the
construction material, capacity and the purpose of its construction. Most of these micro
dams faces problems of siltation, evaporation, seepage, change of course, dam breaks in
addition to problems of operation, maintenance and management.

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Table (A): existing Micro dams in Sudan up to season 75-76

No. Name of the dam Capacity Year of construction

1 Arbaat 7361542 73-75
2 Hosheiry 67-70
3 Tobein 459041 71-72
4 Adrous 953358 72-73
5 Arab 4612505 72-73
6 Mukban 1 1145750 72-73
7 Mukban 2 1698120 72-73
8 Habel Katein 74-75
9 Hamashkoreb 280000 76-77
10 Gisir Rashid 120000 67-68
11 Dalasa 160000 63-64
12 Qureisha 138000 57-58
13 Abu Qulut 103137 57-58
14 Jabel Adar 606000 69-69
15 Matakaro 3189000 74-75
16 Wadi Halouf 75-76
17 Wadi golo 810000 76-77
18 Abu Gidad 1500000 76-77
19 Wadi Basau 680000 61-62
20 Wadi Eleigi 61-62
21 Wadi Tilfu 20000 61-62
22 Wadi Anabagi 41175 61-62
23 Karfu 1955000 67-68
24 Melleit 931000 47-48
25 Tawila 300000 56-57
26 Migabila 300000 56-57
27 Bir Nahla 60000 56-57
28 Azagarfa 300000 56-57
29 J. Maalla 300000 56-57
30 Traco Masonry 60000 56-57
31 J. Darma 120000 56-57
32 Matakero 1200000 56-57
33 Siriba Masonry 375000 56-57
34 J. Utash 200000 57-58
35 Hilalya 1500000 59-60
36 Hileilat 500000 59-60
37 Wada’a 77000 59-60
38 Miri Bara 4221500 67-68
39 Tilwadi 400000 67-68
40 Es Sinut 250000 68-69
41 Talodi 100000 74-75
42 Rashad 302500 76-77
43 Tina* 50000 69-70
44 Khor Bagara 2000000 72-73
45 Ban Gadid* 60000 72-73
46 Daw 650000 73-74

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Table (B): Constructed after 1976

No. Name Capacity (M3) Status

1 J. Fula 500000 Constructed 1979
2 Addiega 6000000 Constructed 1992
3 Abu Hadid 500000 Constructed 1992
4 Barbara 500000 Constructed 1992
5 ElFula Elzarga 100000 Constructed 1996
6 Rashad Shamali 100000 Constructed 1986
7 Kajma 200000
8 Taglibo 150000
9 Elain 3750000
10 Banno 1000000 Constructed 1981
11 Ummbadr 80000
12 Turdat Elrahad 53008000

Table ©: Proposed Micro dams in Sudan

Name of the dam Status of the dam

1 Wadi Shakheeb Under construction 35 Kaya Proposed

2 Kajira Under construction 36 Tulus Studied
3 Assaisaban At Design stage 37 Takolak Proposed
4 Annugdab Proposed 38 Sagady Proposed
5 Alfula Proposed 39 Twal Proposed
6 Girwaya Proposed 40 Baba Construction
7 Abu Rajala Proposed 41 Kidatir Construction
8 Um Reihana Proposed 42 Shattaya Proposed
9 Tajir Proposed 43 Sail Gassa
10 Shilingo Proposed 44 Mleibywa
11 Um Breimbita Studies 45 Abu Digais Studies
12 Abu zabad Studies 46 Omer Proposed
13 Elkhuwei Proposed 47 Marsheikh Proposed
14 Um Urdah Proposed 48 Darisa Proposed
15 Rashad Elshargy Proposed 49 Amiya Proposed
16 Abu Oroog Proposed 50 Abu Aradaib Proposed
17 Elsikairan Proposed 51 Bargo Proposed
18 Abu Habil Studies 52 J. Zina Proposed
19 Elsinjikaya Studies 53 Nyartatay Proposed
20 Armal Proposed 54 Margabig Proposed
21 Shoshai Proposed
22 Elfiadh Proposed
23 Wad Mulah Proposed
24 Elbardab Proposed
25 Elbatha Proposed
26 Abu Gidad Proposed
27 Um Ramad Proposed
28 Abu Karshola Proposed
29 Shirkela Proposed
30 Elmarakh Proposed
31 Elreel Proposed
32 Umdafog Construction
33 Bout Elrayah Proposed
34 Abu Hamra Studied

Ethiopian River Structure Cluster Micro-dam Group Proposal