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College of Natural and Computational Sciences Department of Geology Senior Project On: Identification of Major Aquifer in Dilla Area Project Participants Name Id No
College of Natural and Computational Sciences Department of Geology Senior Project On: Identification of Major Aquifer in Dilla Area Project Participants Name Id No
Department of Geology
Project participants;
Name Id no
M--------------------------------------Meter
NO-------------------------------------Number
N----------------------------------------North
S-----------------------------------------South
E------------------------------------------East
W-----------------------------------------West
DU---------------------------------------Dilla university
BH----------------------------------------Bore hole
I
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE N0
ACRONOMY.............................................................................................................................................I
LIST OF FIGURE......................................................................................................................................IV
LIST OF TABLE.........................................................................................................................................V
Acknowledgement................................................................................................................................VI
Abstract...............................................................................................................................................VII
CHAPTER ONE.........................................................................................................................................1
1. Introduction.......................................................................................................................................1
1.1 BACKGROUND...................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Objective of the study........................................................................................................................2
1.2.1 General objective........................................................................................................................2
1.2.2 Specific objectives......................................................................................................................2
1.3 Statement of the problem.................................................................................................................2
1.4 Description of the study area.............................................................................................................2
1.4.1 Location and Accessibility...........................................................................................................2
1.5 Significance of the study....................................................................................................................3
1.6 Limitation of the study.......................................................................................................................3
1.7 Materials and Methodology..............................................................................................................3
1.7.1 Materials.....................................................................................................................................3
1.7.2 Methodology..............................................................................................................................3
1.7.3 Pre –field work............................................................................................................................4
1.7.4 During Field work........................................................................................................................4
1.7.5 Post field work............................................................................................................................4
CHAPTER TWO......................................................................................................................................5
2. SITE DESCRIPTION................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Physiography.....................................................................................................................................5
2.2 Climate...............................................................................................................................................5
CHAPTER THREE.....................................................................................................................................7
3. REGIONAL GEOLOGY............................................................................................................................7
3.1 Local Geology.....................................................................................................................................8
II
3.2 Lithologic Units..................................................................................................................................8
3.2.1 Ignimbrite unit............................................................................................................................8
3.2.2 Rhyolite unit................................................................................................................................8
3.2.3 Basalt unit...................................................................................................................................9
3.2.4 Trachyte unit.............................................................................................................................10
3.3 Geological Structures.......................................................................................................................10
CHAPTER FOUR.....................................................................................................................................11
4.HYDROGEOLOGY.................................................................................................................................11
4.1 physical characteristic of aquifer.....................................................................................................11
CHAPTER FIVE......................................................................................................................................17
5. Conclusion and Recommendation.....................................................................................................17
5.1 Conclusion...................................................................................................................................17
5.2 Recommendation.........................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................................19
III
LIST OF FIGURE PAGE NO
IV
LIST OF TABLE PAGE NO
V
Acknowledgement
Above all ,we thanks to the super Almighty God that let us accomplish this project
successfully .Next ,we would like great appreciate to Dilla university ,college of natural and
computational science particularly department of geology that gave permission to do this project
in Dilla area.
In the facts without their contribution this work could not have been completed and mainly
we would like to give deep great full thanks for our supervisor Dr Fikadu w/mariam for his
help, support and valuable guidance throughout this research and staffs of Gedeo Zone
water resources and energy office for their contribution by giving important information
and previous documents . Finally special thanks are extended to all institutions and
individuals that supported us in different manner . our sincere gratitude is expressed to
each and every one who support us in one way or another to accomplish this research.
VI
Abstract
The study area is located in the southern Ethiopia at the eastern margin of the main
Ethiopian rift system (MERS) which is found between longitude of 6 024 N-6030N and
latitudes of 38018E-380 with an elevation of 1575m above sea level. It is located in the
region of southern nation nationalities and people of Ethiopia in Gedeo zone around Dilla
area and 359 km far from Addis Ababa.
The main objective of this study is to identify major aquifer in Dilla area by using field
observation and data obtained from secondary sources such as well log analysis. From the
present field affected by geological structurs like joints and fractures. The hydrogeological
characteristics of the area is affected by geological formation, structures, topography, and
climate condition.
The major aquifer of Dilla area is gravel, sand , weathared ignimbrite and fractured basalt and it
is confined type.
VII
CHAPTER ONE
1. Introduction
1.1 BACKGROUND
Ground water is widely distributed under the ground and is replenish able unlike other
resources of the earth. the problem in ground water investigation are the zone of
occurrence and recharge aquifer is water bearing geologic formation or stratum capable of
transmitting through force at a rate of sufficient for economic by well. the formation that
serve as good aquifer are unconsolidated gravel, sand alluvium, lake sediment, and marble
with fissure and cracks, vascular basalt and fractured ignimbrite (Raghunath,2006).
There are two forms of aquifer that can be seen confined and unconfined aquifers. Confined
aquifer is an aquifer below the land surface that is saturated with water and bounded
above and below by confining beds. Unconfined aquifer is an aquifer that has no boundary
above it and water seeps from the ground surface directly above the aquifer. It is possible
to a perches water table or perches aquifer where impermeable layer prevents the
infiltration of water to the regional water table.
Ground water vulnerability is a measure of how easy or how hard it is for pollution
contamination at the land surface to reach the production aquifer. Also it is measure of
degree insulation that natural and man made factor provide to keep pollution away from
ground water.
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1.2 Objective of the study
1.2.1 General objective
The general objective of this study is characterize lithologic and structural characteristics
in the Dilla area and determine the major aquifer in the area.
The reason is water availability is not well investigated in the past. In Dilla area there is
also no well documented information which shows major aquifer in the area. This
determination of major aquifer and its location is very crucial. Therefore, the major
condition that motivate us for the selection of this senior project is to improve data
availability which used for the supply of safe drinking water to Dilla town and supply
enough water for community.
Ethiopian rift system (MERS) which is found between longitude of 6024 N-6030N and
latitudes of 38018E-380 with an elevation of 1575m above sea level .It is located in the
region of southern nation nationalities and people of Ethiopia in Gedeo zone around Dilla
area and 359 km far from Addis Ababa. The study is accessed through the main asphalt
road pass through Addis Ababa to Dilla and there are a lot of foot trials to access the
traverse work and it is accessed by gravel roads.
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Location map
information helps the effect of different sectors to solve water problem. It is also helps to
understand existing problem and can be used further study to bring about change in the
current situation and environmental condition. It can be used as secondary data for
academic institution like hydro geological survey, water and source of ground water
occurrence in different aquifer zone.
Also there is no computerized data storing system and no well advanced equipment during
field work.
Topographic map
Global positioning system(GPS)
Geological hammer
Computer
Compass
Digital camera
Note book
Pencil, pen and ruler
1.7.2 Methodology
In this study different methods were used to make and to finish our project works
successfully. These are:-
Pre-field study
During field study
Post field study
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1.7.3 Pre –field work
The activity is conducted before field works/ study were:-
Preparing proposal
Referring and reviewing literature that relevant to the project work
Collecting of vital data that gives full information about the study area and check all
equipment that we use for our works.
Delineated the study area.
The following activities are conducted during the investigation of the of the field
work.
Describing litho logical units with their properties
Measuring and identifying the type of geological structure found on the study
area.
The sub surface geology of the area was analyzed from the geologic log for
each borehole log and this helps to identify the major water bearing
formation in Dilla area.
After completing the field activities that have been conducted were described
as follow.
Organizing and analyzing the data that have been collected during the
field work
Identify major aquifer in the studyy area.
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CHAPTER TWO
2. SITE DESCRIPTION
The study area is found in southern Ethiopia, the administrative center of the Gedeo zone
in the southern nation, nationalities and peoples region (SNNPR), it is located on the main
road from Addis Ababa to Dilla asphalt road at a distance of 359 km from Addis Ababa .the
center of the town has a longitude of coordinates of 6 024 N-6030N and 38018 E-380
respectively.
The type of vegetation and their abundance of area coverage varies from place to place the
steep slope of mountain area is spars bush, shrubs and other trees .people living around the
area are highly dependable on the product that gained from this area. The agricultural site
has fruits such as banana, mango, avocado and some crops The Dilla town and around the
campus are densely populated. But the rural areas settlements are far apart which are
found scattered on different places.
2.1 Physiography
The study area is located on the eastern margin of southern Ethiopia rift valley system,
which composed of denser escarpment that represent an elevated area surrounding area
the town to east and north east. Most of the area is covered by volcanic land forms and the
area varies in elevation 937-3300m above sea level on the base of morphology and
topography. In the study area different topographic features are observed. These are
stream valley, hill narrow flat lands and denser mountainous volcanic land forms. The
present land forms of Dilla area are the result of tectonic activities such as faulting,
fracturing of rocks and external process like weathering and eroded by surface water.
2.2 Climate
The average maximum annual rain fall is 30.76mm and the minimum average annual rain
fall is 25.83mm.
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The monthly maximum temperature is 14.5 0c in October and the minimum monthly
temperature is 6.90c in January. The maximum monthly rain fall is 194.1mm in October and
the minimum monthly rain fall is 14.7mm in January.
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CHAPTER THREE
3. REGIONAL GEOLOGY
The main Ethiopian rift(MER) extend in a NE-SW to N-S direction from the Afar depression
at red sea-Gulf of Aden junction, south wards to the Turkana depression ,the rift valley
Main Ethiopian rift(MER) development and association to volcanic activity; the rifting has
developed in response to mantle plume with inter is derived due to decompressive heating
of gravity following arching the rift valley started to develop by Miocene rift started at Gulf
of Aden and join the main Ethiopian rift valley (younger) at Afar it forms rift-rift-rift triple
junction.
The down warping and fissure basalt eruption of the rift margins were followed by
antithetic faulting across abroad zone, especially along the Afar margins. A marginal graben
is commonly associated with the antithetic faulting usually being situated on the plateau
ward side of the fault zone. Sythetic faulting is notable developed along those sectors of the
Afar margins farthest from the main Ethiopian rifts also volcanic extrusion has been much
Within the main Ethiopian rift, only one belt of young extensional faulting (the Wangi fault
belt) affects the rift floor. The belt varies in the intensity of its development and
progressively displaces from the western side of the rift floor to the eastern side,
proceeding north wards along the rift valley. The nature of the displacements has been
development(Gibson and Tazieff;1970).;but in both rift valley and Afar; the real pattern
rarely conforms to this preconception.
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3.1 Local Geology
The dominant lithological units in Dilla area are: Ignimbrite unit, rhyolite unit, basalt unit
and trachyte units.
parts of Dilla city(south western parts of Dilla area ).It is exposed by road cut and local
quarry site. It is highly welded,brown weathered color.
Dilla area .The unit are well exposed in river cut and quarry site. Rhyolite has light grey
fresh color and yellowish grey weathered color also high strength and characterized by
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slightly weathered.
Predominantly found in the north eastern and the central part of Dilla area. It is mainly
exposed by quarry site and it shows a columnar structure.
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3.2.4 Trachyte unit
Trachyte is one of the lava flow deposition in which exposed by volcanic rock. It is formed
from highly viscosity magma that has resistance to flow, it have high silica content than
rhyolite.
verification. The study area is affected by a system of faults, which is characterized by the
main Ethiopian rift (MER) as a whole.
The eastern margin of Dilla area is marked by normal fault system with very large vertical
displacement. The south part of the study area is highly affected by faults. Generally the
geological structures of the Dilla area are the result of tectonics activities such as faulting,
fracturing of the rocks and external process like weathering and erosion by surface water.
The strike and dip of the fault is 1800N-S and 550.
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CHAPTER FOUR
4.HYDROGEOLOGY
The hydrology of the study area is complex both in the structure and lithology. The rock
and alluvial deposits in the study area behave as aquifers. The alluvial found near the river
and it is good source of the aquifers. The alluvium deposit in the study area is well sorted
that makes highly permeable. This indicates that the void (pore) spaces between the grains
are well interconnected.
Less extensive with fracture permeable (volcanic rock, basalt) and located aquifer with
fractured ignimbrite and rhyolite. The volcanic rock occupied wide area. They have less
primary porosity and permeability, the primary permeability of this rock is extremely
small. As a result they have low groundwater storage capacity.
The weathered layer and fracture are the main source of water supply in the area. The
alluvium deposits along valley also make up potential groundwater reservoirs.
The climate condition of the study area is highly dominated by rain fall that helps the
groundwater as a recharge. The land of the study area is used for agriculture and it covered
by vegetation like mango, coffee avocado etc. The geological structure is joint, fracture
found in the study area.
In general study the porosity permeability’s of the rock and geological structure is
important to determine good aquifers.
Depth(m) Description
4.1 physical characteristic
of aquifer
0 -3 Clay At
Table 1 dilla town borehole (bh-1)
(709368 N 3 - 12 Weathered rhyolite latitude and 424562 E
longitude) 12 - 18 Clay
18 - 21 Rhyolite
21 - 24 Gravel
24 - 27 Trachyite
27 - 36 Weathered trachyite
36 - 48 Trachyite
48 - 60 11
Weathered rhyolite
60 - 74 Weathered basalt
Detail of casing arrangement illustrated below
Depth(m) Casing
+ 0.7 - 19 Blind
19 - 28 Screen
28 - 34 Blind
34 - 46 Screen
46 - 52 Blind
52 - 73 Screen
73 - 74 Blind
Table 2 Lithologic log of well no.3 of Dilla University (420446E and 790514N)
0 - 19 Clay
19 - 26 Weathered ash
26 - 47 Ignimbrite
Table 3 morocho
well log 47 - 53 Sand
53 - 62 Ignimbrite
62 - 65 Sand
65 - 80 Weathered ignimbrite
80 - 96 Sand
Depth( m) lithology
12
13-15 volcanic sand
15-17 ignimbrite
Depth ( m) lithology
13
14
Table 5 Dilla Town Bore hole (bh-2)
Depth(m) lithology
0-11.5 Silt soil
11.5-32.2 Ash
32.2-52.9 Sand
52.9-73 Unwelded tuff intercalated with fractured
ignimbrite
73-77.6 Fractured ignimbrite
77.6-82.2 tuff
82.2-105.2 Highly weathered basalt
105.2-109.8 Ash
109.8-121.6 Highly weathered basalt
The aquifer of Dilla area show different physical characistics in different bore hole logs. some aquifer
shows that highly weathered ignimbrite of aquifer occurrence, weathered rhyolite, fractured basalt,
weathered trachyte and and weathered basalt in different well log station. When the depth of aquifer
occurrence or the vertical distribution of aquifer increase the production of water high. Ground water
occurrence in different zone of the aquifer like:-weathered ignimbrite, sand size volcanic clast, fractured
The most dominant aquifer occurs in fractured basalt, sand and gravel. The aquifer occurs in different
depth from the observed borehole log data within different lithological unit. The first occur in the sand
units from the depth of 30m-65m and 110m-125m.the average occurrence the aquifer in the sand
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lithological unit is 25m.there is also aquifer occurrence in fracture basalt from the depth of 75m – 80m
and 90m- 105m. So the average occurrence of aquifer in fractured basalt is around 10m.The aquifer in
weathered rhyolite from the depth of 2m -12m and 48m-60m in vertical distribution from the observed
well log data from Dilla University and Dilla town bore hole log data.
The spatial distribution of the aquifer is mostly distributed in highly ignimbrite, gravel, sand, fractured
basalt, weathered rhyolite, weathered trachyte and weathered basalts, and there thickness of each
aquifer are varies from place to place due to their depth. We can observe from the given data like Dilla
university borehole log and Dilla town borehole log data. The aquifer thickness of gravel is 10m in Dilla
university borehole log but the aquifer thickness of gravel unit is 5 m in Dilla town. The spatial
distribution of aquifer in ignimbrite unit around 26m -47 in Dilla town, 15-17m in moricho, above 27-30
The thickness of aquifer in different depth of lithologic unit is:- sand 30m in Dilla University, 2m in
moricho and the average thickness of this unit aquifer occurrence is 16m. Weathered ignimbrite 15m in
Dilla town, 5m in moricho and 12m in agricultural college with the average thickness of 10.6m.The
thickness fractured basalt in Dilla university, weathered rhyolite 6m in agricultural college, 33m in Dilla
town with the average thickness 19.5m.from the observed bore hole log data the different distribution
aquifer in Dilla area is mostly confined aquifers because confined aquifer has flow boundary above and
CHAPTER FIVE
5. Conclusion and Recommendation
5.1 Conclusion
The study area geologically belongs to the categories of the rift valley system and that
bounded with the longitude and latitude coordinates 60 24N-6030N and 38018E-380E
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respectively with an elevation of 1575m above sea level. The geological units in the rift
valley region are mainly the result of volcanic activity during the tertiary period.
The area is covered by different lithological units such as basalt, rhyolite, tuff in different
site and ignimbrite. This shows that in a combination with the variation of material at
borehole site, the aquifer were strictly heterogeneous. The area most probably gates main
recharge from the upstream high land through an extensive regional faults and the source
of groundwater could be rain through deep percolation, seepage from streams, river, spring
and runoff.
In general weathered basalt, fractured basalt, fractured rhyolite and highly weathered
ignimbrite are classified as high productive aquifers and massive basalt, fresh basalt and
clay are impermeable layers or poor in groundwater aquifers.
The most dominate aquifer type distributed in the study area is confined aquifer.
The most productive aquifer is fractured basalt, gravel sand and weathered ignimbrite in
Dilla area.
5.2 Recommendation
An understanding of the regional and local hydrogeological condition is necessary for the
feature development of groundwater resource of an area. So the people in the area must
know about sufficient knowledge of the groundwater system is also important for save,
adequate and sustainable ground water supply for various use as well as to the desired
purposes. The study area is good amount of groundwater potential, by considering the
spring discharge .But the site of the springs it needs the government or other non-
government sectors should be contributes the development of the springs for irrigation
and drinking purpose.
However the groundwater data are limited to characterized the aquifer fully. So the
groundwater data base should be well established to minimize data scarcity problem.
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The government office and private sectors have no as much as documented data which
survive as secondary data about the wells and so that those should have to recorded and
put it in well documented files for future studies.
REFERENCES
Bauwer.H.(1978); Groundwater hydrology,Mc-graw-hill book company,
Tokyo.
Fetter, Charles Willard. Applied Hydrogeology, third edition Engle Wad cliff,
NJ, Prentice hall (1988)
Gray,d,m(1973) principle of hydrology, Mc grow hill book company in
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newyork.
Heath.R.C (1984) ground water region of the united states; of geological
water survey paper.
Herzag etal,1982 the aquifer protection and its characteristics
Raghunath,(2006) The formation of good aquifer are unconsolidated gravel,
sand alluvium, lake sediment and limestone with cavities.
The main Ethiopian rift (MER) extend in a NE-SW to N-S direction from the
afar depression at red sea gulf of Aden junction. The rift valley separated the
elevated Ethiopian and Somalia plateaus (cort;2009)
The extrusion has been much less synthetic faulting dominated over
antithetic faulting, (Abate and sagri,1969;Black etal.,1972 )
The fault belt nature of displacement has been described due abrupt traverse
shears (Mohr, 1967b) and to echelon development (Gibson, 1970)
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