University of Gondar Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering
University of Gondar Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering
University of Gondar Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering
By Alemu Tezera
1
University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering
Introduction
Definition
River basin development
The inputs and outputs across the system boundary can also be clearly distinguished.
The drainage area is an important watershed characteristic for hydrologic planning and
design because it contains the volume of water generated from rainfall.
River Basin Development Major watersheds across national boundaries By Alemu Tezera 5
University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering
Watershed length is defined as the distance measured from the watershed outlet to the
farthest point on the basin divide. The length is usually a measure of the travel time of
water through the watershed.
Watershed slope is an important factor in the momentum of runoff and flood magnitude.
It is the rate of change of elevation with respect to distance along the principal flow path.
The path is divided into reaches, and the river slope in different reaches may be required
for computing the reach travel time.
Watersheds have an infinite variety of shapes, and parameters that reflect the basin shape
are used in hydrologic planning and design.
Soil texture refers to the size of mineral particles in different size categories. On the base
of mean diameter (d), particles of soil can be separated into four classes:
Gravel, d ≤ 2 mm
Sand, 0.02≤ d ≤ 2 mm
Silt, 0.002 ≤ d ≤ 0.02 mm
Clay, d ≤ 0.002 mm
Water-holding characteristics and the infiltration capacity of the soil can be determined
by the soil texture.
Soil structure refers to the tendency of the soil particles to aggregate into lump and clods.
The hydrologic response of the watershed, soil moisture, and water movement through
the column of soil can be affected by the structure of the soil.
The water in the unsaturated zone of soil is referred to as soil moisture and is acted upon
by gravitation, surface tension, and molecular forces
River Basin Development By Alemu Tezera 7
University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering
Data requirements
Water resources planning and management requires basin climatic and hydrologic data.
Data gathered from gauging stations can be used to determine stream flows and estimate
interflows.
In modeling river basins, a correct estimate of the water budget and the spatiotemporal
distribution of data is a key factor. Data accuracy and considering the physical and
hydrological characteristics of the watershed is essential to integrated water resources
planning of that system.
Watershed and river geomorphology is a basic piece of data necessary for river basin
planning and management. These characteristics are important for determination of the
volume of water that can be generated from precipitation.
Drainage area, watershed length, watershed slope, watershed shape, surface roughness, soil
characteristics, and land cover of the river basin are the most important physical
characteristics of watershed that should be estimated before undertaking the river basin
planning process.
Determination of demand points and the time series of demand at each point is an important
step in river basin planning. Water allocation models require demand quantity, along with
demand point characteristics such as distance from resources, elevation, and topographic
condition.
Critical points require more attention in river basin planning and management. Important
structures, protected areas, and demand points that must have water of a known quantity
and/or quality at an acceptable reliability level are some examples of critical points. Critical
points must be determined before the planning phase because they could have considerable
effects on planning alternatives such as for flood control or upstream reservoir operation.
Qualitative characteristics of water are important for water resources planning and
management. Water quality is evaluated in terms of its physical, chemical, and
microbiological properties. For example, most standards control the turbidity, odor, color,
taste, and microbiological characteristics of drinking water.
The combination of climate change, population growth, economic development and the
expansion of irrigated areas means it is becoming increasingly more difficult to manage
shared rivers without a collaborative and adaptive approach.
Site selection at the basin-scale ensures the optimal use of natural resources, supporting
water supply, energy and agricultural uses. This minimizes impacts, protects the
environment and improves livelihoods.
When selecting a site for a hydropower project, decision-makers should examine the entire
river basin. This involves considering how to maximize energy generation alongside the
environmental, social and economic outcomes for all users.
Multipurpose river basin development and management typically involves the identification
and use of both structural and non-structural measures designed to increase the reliability of
municipal, industrial and agriculture water supplies when and where demanded, to protect
against floods, to improve water quality, to provide for commercial navigation and
recreation, and to produce hydropower, as appropriate for the particular river basin.
Structural measures may include diversion canals, reservoirs, hydropower plants, levees,
flood proofing, irrigation delivery and drainage systems, navigation locks, recreational
facilities, groundwater wells, and water and wastewater treatment plants along with their
distribution and collection systems.
Non-structural measures may include land use controls and zoning, flood warning and
evacuation measures, and economic incentives that affect human behavior with regard to
water and watershed use.
Ke Go reservoir
17
Flood inundation maps Flood inundation map for 50 years return period CHs
without Ke Go reservoir releases
VAWR: 5.93m water level in Rao Cai which
corresponds to 50 years RP.
18
Flood inundation map for 100 years of return
period CHs without Ke Go reservoir releases
50 years to 100 years return period
>2meters: 9m2
19
University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering
Planning the development and management of water resource systems involves identifying
just what, when and where structural or non-structural measures are needed, the extent to
which they are needed, and their combined economic, environmental, ecological and social
impacts.
It is much more than water resources development, seeking to integrate three interrelated,
but separately evolved concepts:
1.Multi-purpose development;
2. An integrative role for the drainage basin unit;
3.The acceptance of intervention to promote development (typically seen to be
improvement of social welfare or regional conditions).
Between 80-90% of Ethiopia's water resources are found in the four river basins namely,
Abay (Blue Nile), Tekeze, Baro Akobo, and Omo Gibe in the west and south-western part
of Ethiopia where the population size is not more than 30 to 40 per cents.
However, the water resources available in the east and central river basins is only 10 to 20
per cents whereas the population size in these basins is over 60 per cents.
In order to alleviate these problems on different water users sustainable and reliable
development and proper uses of water resources are necessary.
The lack of a comprehensive water resources management policy in Ethiopia have so far
caused adverse impacts among which the following stand out as significant:-
The lack of a sustainable and reliable water resources management strategy
Lack of efficient utilization of water resources
Prevalence of unrealistic and unattainable plans and programs
Non-objective oriented programs and projects
Uncertainties and ambiguities in planning