UNIT SEVEN
WATER RESOURCE OF ETHIOPIA
The country is blessed with ample water resources in central, western and south
western parts, while most of North Eastern and Eastern parts of the country are
relatively dry. The distribution and availability of water is erratic both in space and
time.
Hence, despite abundance in some parts the country is highly water-scarce due to lack
of water control infrastructure.
The topographic setup of Ethiopia is characterized by complex blend of massive
highlands, rugged terrain, and low plains.
The diverse topographical setup, relatively higher rainfall and its nearness to equator
made the country to have larger volume of ground and surface water.
Around 0.7 % of the total land mass of Ethiopia is covered by water bodies.
The country’s surface water potential as studied in different integrated river basin
master plans is estimated to be 124.4 billion cubic meters.
Consequently, scholars called to Ethiopia, as water tower of “Eastern Africa”.
However, due to lack of water storage infrastructure and large spatial and temporal
variations in rainfall, there is not enough water for most farmers to produce more than
one crop per year.
Ethiopia has 12 river basins with an annual runoff volume of 122 billion m3 of water.
Irrigation and hydropower potential of river basins
Source: Integrated River Basin Master Plan Studies, carrried out during 1997-2007 (MoWR 1996, 1997,
1998a, 1998b) Irrigable land from the IWMI irrigation database (based on – MoWR data).
* Figures need to be updated from recent studies.
** Small-scale is not included in the database, medium and large-scale is 49,700 ha.
*** Indicates the Ethiopian part of the basin area. The total basin area is 23, 932 ha.
**** Reconnaissance study
Major Drainage System of Ethiopia
The flow of water through well-defined channel is known as drainage.
A drainage system is made up of a principal river & its tributaries (the rivers that flow into it).
A river system begins at a place called the source or headwater and ends at a point called
mouth.
Therefore, a drainage system is branched network of stream channels together with the
adjacent land slopes they drain.
The drainage pattern of an area is the outcome of:
o the geological processes,
o nature and structure of rocks,
o topography,
o slope, amount and the periodicity of the flow water
A drainage basin is the topographic region from which a river and its tributaries collect both
the surface runoff and subsurface flow.
It is bounded by and separated from other river basins by a water divide or
topographic divide (ridge lines).
The general patterns of major river basins in Ethiopia are determined by topographical
structures which can be clarified as:
a. The topography of the outward sloping of the Western and South eastern plateaus.
b. The structural formation of the Rift Valley with its in-ward-sloping escarpments resulting mainly in
an inland drainage system.
c. Faults and joints that structurally influence part of the courses of many rivers.
Why do rivers rise from higher slope and flow towards the lower?
Following the complex physiographic setup and geological makeup, Ethiopia possesses three
broadly classified drainage systems namely:
The Western Drainage Systems
The Southeastern Drainage Systems
The Rift Valley Drainage System
Western and the Southeastern drainage systems are separated by the Rift Valley system.
1. The Western Drainage Systems
The Western Drainage Systems are the largest of all drainage systems:
This draining contains 40 % of the total area of the country and carry 60 % of the
annual water flow.
Most of the catchment area coextends with the westward sloping part of the western
highlands and western lowlands.
This drainage system comprises four major river basins:
the Tekeze, Abay, Baro-Akobo, Ghibe (Omo).
Unlike other river basins in the system, the Ghibe (Omo) flows southward.
The Abay, Tekeze and Baro flow westward ultimately joining the Nile which
finally ends at Mediterranean Sea.
The largest river both in volumetric discharge and coverage in the western
drainage systems is the Abay.
It covers an area of 199,812 km2, covering parts of Amhara, Oromia
and Benishangul-Gumuz regional states.
Together with its tributaries, most of which are left-bank tributaries;
it carries 65 % of the annual water flow of the region.
2. The Southeastern Drainage Systems
• Nearly the entire physiographic region of southeastern part of Ethiopia is drained by the
southeastern drainage systems.
• The basin which is mainly drained by Wabishebelle and Ghenale, slopes south-eastwards
across large water deficient plains.
Major highlands of this basin include plateaus of Arsi, Bale, Sidama and Harerghe. Wabshebelle and
Ghenale rivers cross the bordeborder into Somalia, carrying 25% of the annual water flow of
Ethiopia.
3. The Rift Valley Drainage System
The Rift Valley drainage system is an area of small amount of rainfall, high
evaporation and small catchment area.
The size of the drainage area is restricted by the outward sloping highlands, which
starts right from the edge of the escarpment.
The Rift Valley drainage system is therefore left with the slopes of the escarpment
and the Rift Valley floor itself as the catchment area.
The only major river basin is that of the Awash.
Awash river basin has a catchment area of 114,123 km2 and has an average annual discharge
of 4.9 bmc.
General Characteristics of Ethiopian Rivers
General characteristics of Ethiopian rivers
Because of the nature of the land mass, out ward inclination of the high lands and
climatic conditions the Ethiopian rivers have the following characteristics:
Show Seasonal fluctuation
Have cuts, rapids and water falls along their course
Flow on steep slopes, steep profile/steep gorges
They are trans-boundary
Originated from the High lands/>1500m/
Some Serve as boundaries both domestic and international
administrative
Major Divisions of Ethiopian Drainage System
1. Abbay River Basin: Abbay river basin has a catchment area of 199,812 km2,
covering parts of Amhara, Oromia and Benishangul-Gumuz regional states.
More than 60 streams drain to the Abay, It has the major sub-basins of Anger, Beles,
Dabus, Debre Markos, Didesa, Dindir/Rahid, Fincha, Guder, Jemma, Lake Tana,
Mota, and Muger.
The major river in this basin is the Blue Nile (Abbay) river, which rises in Lake Tana
flowing about 1,450 km long, and merges with the White Nile to form the Nile proper
in khartom sudan.
The river basin has a lowest elevation of 500 m. and a highest elevation of 4261 m.
The total mean annual flow from the river basin is estimated to be 54.8 BMC.
The Abbay river basin is well known as the source of Nile, a land of dramatic gorges
and mountains. Abbay is the most important river basin in Ethiopia.
It accounts for 20 percent of Ethiopia’s land area, for about 50 percent of its total
average annual runoff which emanates from the Ethiopian highlands, for 25 percent of
its population and for over 40 percent of its agricultural production.
The rivers of the Abbay basin contribute on average about 62 percent of Nile at
Aswan; together with the contribution of Baro Akobo and Tekeze rivers, Ethiopia
accounts for at least 86 percent of the runoff at Aswan.
According to MoWR data, it is identified that the Abbay river basin has a potential of
211irrigation projects, of which 90 are small-scale, 69 are medium-scale and 52 are
large-scale.
A total of 815,581 hectares of potential irrigable land is estimated, out of which
45,856 ha are for small scale, 130,395 hectares for medium-scale and 639,330
hectares for large-scale development.
Abay flows eastward, turns 180 0 to make a large bend and after cutting an impressive
and deep gorge emerges out in the west.
2. Awash River Basin
Awash river basin has a catchment area of 114,696 km 2. The Awash River originates
from Central West part of Ethiopia, flowing 1250 Km long, and provides a number of
benefits to Ethiopia. Relatively, the most utilized river basin and the only river
entirely in the country.
Awash covers parts of the Amhara, Oromia, Afar, Somali regional states, and Dire
Dawa, and Addis Ababa City administrative states of the country.
The river basin has a lowest elevation of 210 m and a highest elevation of 4195 m.
The total mean annual flow from the river basins is estimated to be 4.9 BMC.
In this river basin 37 irrigation potential sites are identified out of which 5 are small-
scale, 18 are medium-scale, and 14 are large-scale.
The estimated irrigation potential is 134,121 hectares. Out of these, a potential,
30,556 hectares are for small-scale, 24,500 hectares for medium-scale and 79,065
hectares for large-scale development (see Appendix, tables A18 -A20).
Following the Rift Valley orientation, the Awash flows in a northeast direction.
It finally ends in a maze of small lakes and marshy area; the largest of which is Lake Abe on
the Ethio-Djibouti border.
3. Denakil River Basin
Denakil river basin has an area of 74,002 km 2, which covers Tigray, Amhara and
Afar regional states.
The basin has no major river draining out of it. The basin has a lowest elevation of -
125 m b.s.l at Denakil depression, the lowest altitude of the country, and a highest
elevation of 3,962 m. The total mean annual flow from the river basins is estimated to
be 0.86 BMC.
Around 12 small-scale, 33 medium-scale, and 8 large-scale, and a total of 53
irrigation potential sites are identified in the basin. A total of 158,776 hectares of
potential irrigable area is also estimated.
Out of these, a potential 2,309 hectares are for small-scale, 45,656 hectares for
medium scale and 110,811 hectares for large-scale development
4. Genale Dawa River Basin
Genale Dawa river basin has an area of 171,042 Km 2, covering parts of Oromia,
SSNRP, and Somali regions. It is the third largest river basin, after Wabi Shebelle and
Abbay river basins.
The river basin has a lowest elevation of 171 m and a highest elevation of 4385 m.
The total mean annual flow from the river basins is estimated at about 5.8 BMC.
The basin falls mainly in the arid and semi-arid zone and is generally drought-prone
with erratic rainfall.
About 85 irrigation potential sites are identified in the basin, out of which, 18 are
small-scale, 28 are medium-scale, and 39 are large-scale.
The basin has an estimated total potential of 1,074,720 hectares of irrigable area.
Out of these, a potential 1805 hectares are for small-scale, 28,415 hectares for
medium-scale and 1,044,500 hectares for large-scale development
• Ghenale, which has fewer tributaries but carries more water than Wabishebelle,
reaches the Indian Ocean.
5. Wabi Shebele River Basin
Wabi Sheble river basin has an area of 202,697 Km 2, covering parts of the regions
Oromia, Harari and Somali.
This river basin has a lowest elevation of 184 m. and a highest elevation of 4182 m.
The total mean annual flow from the river basins is estimated at about 3.16 BMC.
Around 41 small-scale, 77 medium-scale and 31 large-scale and a total of 149
potential irrigation sites are identified in the basin.
It has an estimated potential of 237,905 hectares of irrigable area.
Out of these, a potential 10,755 hectares are for small-scale, 55,950 hectares for
medium-scale and 171,200 hectares for large-scale development
6. Baro Akobo River Basin
2
Baro Akobo river basin has an area of 75,912 Km , covering parts of the
Benishangul-Gumz, Gambella, Oromia, and SNNPR.
The basin has a lowest elevation of 390 m. and highest elevation of 3244 m. The total
mean annual flow from the river basins is estimated to be 23.6 BMC.
Twenty two large-scale potential irrigation sites are identified in the basin, with an
estimated irrigable area of 1,019,523 hectares.
The Baro-Akobo basin is the second most important basin, next to Genale Dawa, as
far as irrigation potential is concerned.
The population is settled sparsely in the lowlands of the basin which offers a
conducive environment for water resources development.
As a consequence of regular flooding, the lowland areas are mainly used as pastures
for grazing and no major water resources development has taken place to-date.
7. Tekeze River Basin
2
Tekeze river basin has an area of 82,350 Km , covering parts of the Amhara and
Tigray regional states.
There are two main tributaries (Angereb and Goang) that contribute to Tekeze River
which rises in the central highlands of Ethiopia, and joins the Atbarah River, the lower
course of which is a tributary of the Nile.
The river basin has a lowest elevation of 536 m and a highest elevation of 4517 m.
The total mean annual flow from the river basins is estimated to be 8.2 BMC.
The amount of rainfall varies considerably ranging from 1300 mm in the Seimen
Mountain to 600 mm in the lowland areas.
The ground water resource is not so promising except in a few areas. The quality of
surface water is suitable for irrigation.
Tekeze basin has a potential for three large-scale irrigation sites with an estimated
potential irrigable area of 83,368 hectares.
8. Omo Ghibe River Basin
The Omo-Ghibe river basin has an area of 79,000 Km 2, covering parts of the SNNPR
and Oromia. The total mean annual flow from the river basin is estimated at about
16.6 BMC.
Large-scale and medium-scale irrigation potential are identified in the basin, with an
estimated irrigable area of 57,900 and 10,028 hectares respectively, and a total
irrigable area of 67,928 hectares (MoWR data).
However, this figure could be much higher given the vast land area of lower Omo. In
terms of hydropower development potential it is the second largest, and it is a basin in
which most of the current hydropower development is taking place.
The basin is also endowed with a variety of wildlife; with Omo and Mago parks being
located in the basin, its tourism potential will be further exploited as infrastructure
develops in the area.
9. Rift Valley Basin
2
The Rift Valley basin has an area of 52,739 Km , covering parts of the Oromia,
SNNPR regions. The total mean annual flow from the river basins is estimated at
about 5.6 BMC.
Large-scale irrigation potential is estimated at 45,700 hectares with an estimated total
irrigable area of 139,300 hectares.
The basin is endowed with a number of lakes of varying size with high environmental
significance.
An integrated development master plan preparation for the basin is currently in
progress and more reliable data could emerge in the near future.
10. Other River Basins (Mereb, Aysha and Ogaden)
Aysha and Ogaden basins are relatively considered as dry in most cases with seasonal
river flows.
Their potential in terms of irrigation development is considered not so significant and
therefore, not included here.
Mereb Basin is small in size, having about 0.65 BMC and about 65,000 hectares
irrigable land area.
Potentials and Challenges of Ethiopian Water Resources
Surface Water Resources: Lakes and Reservoirs
Ethiopia has 11 fresh and 9 saline lakes, 4 crater lakes and over 12 major swamps or
wetlands. Majority of the lakes are found in the Rift Valley Basin.
The total surface area of these natural and artificial lakes in Ethiopia is about 7,500
2
km . The majority of Ethiopian lakes are rich in fish.
Most of the lakes except Ziway, Tana, Langano, Abbaya and Chamo have no surface
water outlets, i.e.,
they are endhoric. Lakes Shala and Abiyata have high concentrations of chemicals
and Abiyata is currently exploited for production of soda ash.
Groundwater Resources System
As compared to surface water resources, Ethiopia has lower ground water potential.
However, by many countries’ standard the total exploitable groundwater potential is
high.
Considering various separate studies, Ethiopian potential of groundwater is believed
to range between 12-30 BMC.
This figure appears to be extremely underestimated. (Tadesse 2004) estimated that at
least 13.2 billion m 3 infiltrates into the groundwater system of which 50 percent could
be extractable.
IRRIGATION POTENTIAL IN RIVER BASINS OF
ETHIOPIA
Summary of Potential
In Ethiopia, under the prevalent rainfed agricultural production system, the
progressive degradation of the natural resource base, especially in highly vulnerable
areas of the highlands coupled with climate variability have aggravated the incidence
of poverty and food insecurity.
Water resources management for agriculture includes both support for sustainable
production in rain-fed agriculture and irrigation.
Not overlooked should be soil protection and maintaining soil fertility.
Currently, the MoWR (Ministry of Water Resources) has identified 560 irrigation
potential sites on the major river basins.
The total potential irrigable land in Ethiopia is estimated to be around 3.7 million
hectares.
Water resource Conservation and Management in Ethiopia
Though the country possesses a substantial amount of water resources little has been
developed for drinking water supply, hydropower, agriculture and other purposes.
The water supply coverage was estimated to be 30.9 percent, thus the rural water
supply coverage being 23.1 percent and that of urban being 74.4 percent (UNESCO
2004).
PASDEP envisages that the unserved population will be reduced to 15.5 percent by
2009/10 showing more people being served than planned by MDG (Millennium
Development Goals) by year 2015.
The goal during PASDEP is also to reduce the share of malfunctioning rural systems
from 30 percent in 2005/06 to 10 percent by 2010 (MOFED 2006).
The great majority of the rural Ethiopian population community water supply relies
on groundwater.
The safe supply of water in rural areas is usually derived from shallow wells,
spring development and deep wells.
People who have no access to improved supply usually obtain water from rivers,
unprotected springs, hand-dug wells and rainwater harvesting.
Despite its immense relevance and importance, the groundwater sector has been given
less attention until recently.
In order to utilize the ground water resource properly, understanding of the
groundwater occurrence and distribution in space and time, proper management and
efficient exploitation is necessary.
The available studies on the groundwater resources of the country are very limited, in
that, the delineation of aquifer systems, the water balance and determination of the
aquifer characteristics has not been conducted.
Any sustainable utilization of groundwater resources demands systematic study and
raising the technical and manpower capability. In this regard the country has a long
way to go, yet.
The conditions of sanitation are even worse in Ethiopia. The sanitation coverage in
the capital Addis Ababa, which is believed to have better service, was estimated at
12.5 percent (MoH and World Development Report 1997).
The welfare monitoring survey (CSA 1998) pointed out that, out of this, 11 percent of
the households have flush toilet, 73.3 percent of the households have pit latrine, 3.1
percent of the households use household containers,10.5 percent of households use
open defecation (field and forest) and 2.2 percent of the households use other means.
Re-use of treated waste water could provide an additional potential of water for
irrigation.
Ethiopia’s energy sector, like in many other Sub-Saharan countries, depends highly on
biomass despite the immense hydro-power resource of the country.
According to Halcrow and MCE (2006), in 2000, 73.2 percent of energy came from
woody biomass, 15.5 percent from non-woody biomass (cow dung 8.4 percent, crop
residue 6.4 percent, and bio-gas 0.4 percent), petro fuels 10.3 percent and hydropower
1 percent.
These are used in households, agriculture, transport, industry, service and others. By
end of 2005, over 95 percent of the 1 percent of total energy coming from electricity
was generated by hydropower.
a. Hydro electric power potential
Ethiopian rivers have a very high potential for generating electricity. The exploitable
potential of hydroelectric power is estimated at about 45000 megawatts.
The first hydroelectric power generation plant was installed on Akaki River (Aba
Samuel) in 1932.
Currently many hydroelectric power dams are operating and many others are under
construction to realize Ethiopia's ambitious energy goals.
Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is the country’s largest dam under
construction aiming to generate 6400 megawatts.
Gilgel Gibe-III hydropower project has gone operational generating 1870MW’s.
Currently Ethiopia is administering 14 hydroelectric power plants constructed on
Lake Aba Samuel, Koka, Tis Abay, Awash, Melka Wakena, Sor, Fincha, Gibe/Omo,
Tana Beles and Tekeze, generating close to 4000 MW of energy.
• Besides to the domestic use, the country is exporting electricity to the neighboring
countries.
What are the major problems related to the use of Ethiopian rivers?
• The major problem related to the use of Ethiopian rivers are:
seasonal flow fluctuations
impact of climate change and variability.
Full of water falls and cataracts due to the topography
severe erosion from the highlands and sedimentation in the reservoirs.
b. Irrigation and Transportation
• Due to its terrain (Ethiopia is so rugged), it limits the uses of Ethiopian rivers both for
irrigation and transportation.
• In the highlands, steep slopes, rapid waterfalls, narrow and deep valleys and gorges
are important obstacles, though on the lowlands, their demand for irrigation is high.
• Regardless of existing physiographic setups, Ethiopia’s potential of irrigation is
estimated to be 5.3 million hectares.
The Baro-Akobo and Genale-Dawa river systems have large irrigation potential
compared to other basins.
Despite the untapped irrigation practice, more than 60% of the area under irrigation is
located in Rift Valley Drainage System.
Except few, majority of hydro-electric reservoirs are multi-purpose and are expected
to contribute for irrigation.
Majority of Ethiopian rivers are not suitable for transportation, and Baro at its lower
course is the only navigable river.
Comparatively, Ethiopian lakes are much suitable for transportation than rivers.
Lake Tana and Abaya are relatively the most used for transportation.
c. Fishing and Recreation
• The majority of Ethiopian lakes are rich in fish and currently the annual production is
estimated to be 31.5 thousand tons.
• The exploitable potential is however, by far greater than the current production and it
varies
• Currently Lake Tana leads the potential by estimated 8,000-10,000 tons per year.
• Lake Chamo is estimated at 4,500 tons per year.
• However, more than 60% of fish supplies are coming from Ethiopian main Rift
Valley lakes.
But, some of the lakes are currently threatened by sedimentation, invasive
species (water hyacinth), over exploitation and expansion of investments
around lakes.
• There are a variety of fish, birds and other aquatic life forms in the lakes.
• This and the scenic beauty of the lakes, the hot springs around them, the spectacular
river gorges and the most impressive waterfalls make Ethiopian rivers and lakes
important recreational and tourist attractions.
• As they are the natural habitat of a variety of wild life, some of which are only
endemic to Ethiopia, their value for scientific purposes is immense.
• Constraints of Water Resources Development in Ethiopia are numerous. They fall in
one of the general categories of legal, political, social, institutional or technical. These
require careful consideration and need to be supported by applied research if the
required level of development is to be ensured.
• Increasing the role of applied research is one of the means to alleviate the problems
encountered in the water sector.
• This is because, unlike the agricultural and health sectors, institutionalized water
research in Ethiopia does not exist, as it is the case in most parts of Africa and
underdeveloped countries.
