- Title
- Lake Basaka expansion : challenges for the sustainability of Matahara irrigation scheme, Awash River Basin (Ethiopia)†
- Creator
- Dinka, Megersa Olumana
- Subject
- Basaka Lake, Groundwater, Landsat
- Date
- 2017
- Type
- Articles
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10210/241805
- Identifier
- uj:24926
- Identifier
- Citation: Dinka, M.O. 2017. Lake Basaka expansion : challenges for the sustainability of Matahara irrigation scheme, Awash River Basin (Ethiopia)†.
- Description
- Abstract: Matahara Sugar Estate (MSE), after nearly 60 years of irrigation, is experiencing 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 the past about a 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 location and analysed for important physico-chemical parameters. The results indicate that the lake expanded approximately 47.3 km2 in the past about a half century. The soil quality is found to be very poor in plantation sections with very shallow GW depth and severe salinity condition. 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 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 MER, other factors are expected to exacerbate its...
- Language
- English
- Rights
- ©2017, authors
- Full Text
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