College of Natural and Computational Sciences

Department of Geology

Senior Project on:

Identification of major Aquifer in Dilla area

Project participants;

Name Id no

1.Aliyi Dadi 005/14

2.Abdu Mahmed 001/10

3.Ayane Tamiru 011/14

4.Habtamu Faysa 044/14

5.Gadisa Tadese 031/10

ADVISOR; DR.FIKADU W/MARIAM

JUNE
2018
DILLA, ETHIOPIA
ACRONOMY

MERS--------------------------------------Main Ethiopian rift system

M--------------------------------------Meter

GPS------------------------------Global positioning system

SNNPR-------------------------------Southern nation ,nationalities and peoples region

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

Figure 1. Ignimbrite unit-------------------------------------------8

Figure 2. Ryholite unit---------------------------------------------9

IV
LIST OF TABLE PAGE NO

Table 1. Dilla town bore hole (bh-1)---------------------------11

Table 2. Du well no.3----------------------------------------------12

Table 3. Morocho well log------------------------------------------13

Table 4. Dilla agriculture well log---------------------------------13

Table 5. Dilla town bore hole(bh-2)--------------------------------15

Table 6. Casing arrangement of bore hole for table 5------------15

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.

1
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.

1.2.2 Specific objectives

 To Describe litho logical unit and structural feature of study area.
 To Describe the borehole stratigraphic log of study area.
 To identify major water bearing unit and their depth of occurrence.

1.3 Statement of the problem

The resident of Dilla area suffers from shortage of safe water for drinking water supply.

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

information is highly valuable in the evaluation of ground water resource. In order to

alleviate this water supply problem hydrogeological characterization particularily

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.

1.4 Description of the study area

1.4.1 Location and Accessibility
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 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.

2
Location map

1.5 Significance of the study

This study generates information regarding to identify most major aquifers. This

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.

1.6 Limitation of the study

The major limitation during this project work is lack of well organized data, reference
material and shortage of time.

Also there is no computerized data storing system and no well advanced equipment during
field work.

1.7 Materials and Methodology

1.7.1 Materials
The geological materials we used to perform our project work are:-

 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.

1.7.4 During Field work

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.

1.7.5 Post field work

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.

4
 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 climate of Dilla area is characterized by maximum average annual temperature is

around 300c and the minimum average annual temperature is around 12.5 0c.

The average maximum annual rain fall is 30.76mm and the minimum average annual rain
fall is 25.83mm.

5
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.

6
 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

separates the elevation Ethiopian and Somalia plateaus(Corti,2009).Rift development is

related to the roughly E-W motion between Nubian and Somalia belts.

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

at mantle re resulted in a melt accumulation in a lithosphere up ward migration as a result

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

less were synthetic faulting has dominated over antithetic faulting.(Abate

andSagri,1969;blak e tal.,1972b).

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

described due to both abrupt transverse shears(Mohr,1967b)and to en echelon

development(Gibson and Tazieff;1970).;but in both rift valley and Afar; the real pattern
rarely conforms to this preconception.

7
3.1 Local Geology

3.2 Lithologic Units

There are different lithological units are exposed in Dilla area. They are formed by
crystallization of magma such as lava flow (basalt and rhyolite), pyroclastics flow
(ignimbrite) and pyroclastic fall.

The dominant lithological units in Dilla area are: Ignimbrite unit, rhyolite unit, basalt unit
and trachyte units.

3.2.1 Ignimbrite unit

Ignimbrite is pyroclastic flow deposit of volcanic rocks. It is located to the north western

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.

figure1. Ignimbrite unit

3.2.2 Rhyolite unit

Rhyolite is form by lava flow. This unit is exposed in the northern and central part of the

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

8
slightly weathered.

Figure 2. Rhyolite unit

3.2.3 Basalt unit

Basalt is one of the lava flows of extrusive igneous rocks.

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.

9
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.

3.3 Geological Structures

The present geologic area of Dilla is affected by different geological structure from field

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)

Depth (m) Description

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

96 - 107 Sand with gravel

107 - 119 Weathered and fractured basalt with sand

Depth( m) lithology

0-7 clay soil

7-10 weathered tuff

10-13 slightly weathered tuff

12
13-15 volcanic sand

15-17 ignimbrite

17-20 weathered ignimbrite

20-22 high weathered ignimbrite

at(709076N and 42111E)

Table 4 dilla agricultural college

Depth ( m) lithology

0-27 red clay

27-30 weathered ignimbrite

30-33 coarser gravel

33-36 weathered pumice

36-39 weathered ignimbrite

39-52 fresh ignimbrite

52-58 weathred ignimbrite

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

Table 6 casing arrangement of Dilla town borehole depending on Table 5

Depth(meter) Casing
0-1 Blind
0-57.25 Blind
57.25-68.95 Screen
68.95-80.65 Blind
80.65-92.35 Screen
92.35-104.05 Blind
104.05-109.9 Screen
109.9-121.6 Blind

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

basalt, weathered rhyolite and weathered trachyte.

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

15
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

in Dilla agricultural college associated in different depth.

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

below. It constricts the flow of water into confined area.

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

16
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.

Identification and characterization of different type of groundwater aquifer systems would

helps greatly to develop the existing groundwater potential of the area.

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.

17
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

18
 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)
 WWW google.com and UC browser

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