Chapter Ii

CHAPTER II
LAND USE/LAND COVER AND SOILS
LAKE AWASA STUDY AND DESIGN PROJECT INTERIM REPORT, WWDSE 2001
Chapter 2 Land Use/Land Cover and Soils Study i /36
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER II LAND USE / LAND COVER AND SOIL STUDY
1. Land Use/Land Cover and Soil Study.................................................................................1
1.1 introduction........................................................................................................................ 1
1.2 Land Forms of Lake Awasa Catchment...........................................................................2
1.3 Land Use/Land Cover of Lake Awasa Catchment............................................................4

1.3.1 Classifications of Land Cover/land use.......................................................................5
1.4 Soil Classification and Soil mapping unit description.........................................................9
1.5 Soils of Potential Irrigable Areas in Lake Awasa Catchment............................................14

1.5.1 Previous Studies......................................................................................................14
1.5.2 Present study.......................................................................................................... 14
1.5.3 Soil characteristics....................................................................................................16
1.6 Land Evaluation For Irrigated Agriculture.......................................................................23

1.6.1 Land characteristic....................................................................................................23
1.6.2 Physical Tests…… ……………………………………………………………….. ……25
1.7 Soil Erosion Assessment...............................................................................................27
1.8 Discussion on the Results..............................................................................................30
1.9 Conclusion and Recommendation.................................................................................31
LAKE AWASA STUDY AND DESIGN PROJECT INTERIM REPROT, WWDSE 2001
Chapter 2 Land Use/Land Cover and Soils Study iii /36
MAPS, FIGURES AND TABLES
MAPS
Map -1 Land Form map of Lake Awasa Catchment scale 1:50,000
Map -2 1965 Land Cover map of Lake Awasa Catchment scale 1:50,000
Map -3 1998 Land Cover map of Lake Awasa Catchment scale 1:50,000
Map –4 Soils of Lake Awasa Catchment scale 1:50,000
Map -5 Erosion Hazard of Lake Awasa Catchment scale 1:50,000
Map –6 Combined Map of Land Form, Soils and Land Cover
Figures
Figure 2.1 Structural classifications for semi-natural vegetation
Tables
Table 2.1 Relation between land forms, gradient and relief intensity
Table 2.2 Land covers and uses
Table 2.3 Land cover comparison between 1965 and 1998 (33 years gap)
Table 2.4 Coverage of each soil-mapping unit
Table 2.5 Physical and chemical analysis of soils
Table 2.6 Basic infiltration rates (cm/hr)
Table 2.7 Cumulative infiltration rates (cm/hr)
Table 2.8 Hydraulic conductivity 20cm depth of soil (cm/min)
Table 2.9 Hydraulic conductivity 50 cm depth of soil (cm/min)
Table 2.10 Average calculated field saturated hydraulic conductivity (cm/hr)
Table 2.11 Type and degree of erosion
Table 2.12 Soil loss (A) per land mapping units (L.M.U)
Chapter 2 Land Use/Land Cover and Soils Study 1 /36
2. LAND USE/LAND COVER AND SOIL STUDY
2.1 INTRODUCTION
Land use/Land Cover, soils and erosion studies were undertaken as one sectoral study
to determine the effect of land use/land cover change, soils characteristics and erosion
hazard of the lake catchment on the lake level rise. The study have been carried out to
meet the objectives of the project and to fulfill the requirements of other disciplines.
Under this chapter, the inter-related fields have been included, such as landform, land
use/land cover, soils and erosion. In addition, a reconnaissance soil survey study is
executed in order to provide essential soils and land related information on 15810 ha of
potential irrigable land within the lake Awasa catchment. The area is selected in order to
fit the alternative options of reducing lake water level by pumping water from the lake
directly and to use for irrigation.
The study area covers 145,657 ha of Lake Awasa Catchment. It lies between 6o 49’ - 7o
15’ latitude and 38o17’- 38o44’ longitude with elevation range of 2696 m.a.s.l. Around
Hogiso and 1680 m.a.s.l at the lake water level. Lake Awasa is situated in the Ethiopian
major rift valley system surrounded by flat to slightly slopping lands, escarpments and
hills. The main water source for the lake is Tikur Wuha River, which originates from
Cheleleka Lake that is located within this catchment. Awasa town is located in the
middle of the basin, which is currently in danger by lake Awasa expansion.
The main land use of the catchment is rain fed agriculture with agro-forestry practices.
On the flatter lands mechanized farms of Shallo basic seed and Awasa state farm exist.
Private small holding farms are also occupying a considerable large portion on these
flatter lands. Swampy area at the southern side of lake Cheleleka exists and serves as a
very important grazing land. Almost all of the rural populations are farmers and their
living standard is based on farming with a considerable income generated from cattle
production and cash crops. In addition, other important land uses in the project area are
fishing and recreation on the lake and collection of firewood and charcoal production at
the northwest hilly areas.
The objectives of this sectoral study are: -
- To identify the past and the present land use/land cover of the lake Awasa
Catchment and to prepare a map at scale 1:50,000 scales.
- To identify the variability of landform and soils of the project area and map soil and
land form at 1:50,000, scale.
- To compare the past and the present land use land cover of the Lake Awasa
catchment and evaluate the effect of land use/ land cover change on lake Awasa
expansion.
- To identify and examine the erosion phenomena in the project area and evaluate
the effect of sedimentation on the rise of lake Awasa and
- To prepare erosion hazard map
2.2 LAND FORMS OF LAKE AWASA CATCHMENT
Landforms are described by their morphology and not by their genetic origin or
processes responsible for their shape. The dominant slope is the most important
differentiating criterion followed by relief intensity (the median difference between the
highest and lowest points within the terrain per specific distances which is expressed
as meter per kilometer, meter per two kilometers or per slope units).
Ten major landforms are identified in Awasa lake catchment. These are flat to
undulating plains, flat to undulating plateaux, rolling plains, rolling plateaux,
depressions, medium gradient hills, high gradient hills, medium and high gradient hills,
high gradient escarpments and elongated ridges table 2.1
Table 2.1 Landforms of Lake Awasa Catchment.
NO. UNIT CODE LAND ORMS GRADIENT (%) RELIEF HA

INTENSITY %
1 PL Plains <8 <100m/km 30520 21.0
2 LL Plateaux <8 <100m/km 19150 13.4
3 LD Depressions <8 <100m/km 9700 6.7
4 CRP Rolling plains <15 <600m/2km 6220 4.4
5 CRL Rolling plateaux <15 <600m/2km 8190 5.7
6 SH Medium 8-30 >25m/slope unit 4635 3.2

gradient hills
7 TH High gradient >30 <600m/2km 18500 13.0
hills
8 Cre Elongated <30 >25m/slope unit 630 0.4
ridges
9 TE High gradient >30 >600m/2km 8822 6.2
escarpment
zones
10 SH/TH High & medium >30 & <600m/2km & 2670 18.7
Gradient hills 8-30 >25m/slope
Source - SOTER, 1995
I. PLAINS are all level lands that are not enclosed between higher lying lands.
These units have flat to undulating topography with a slope range of 0-8% but
dominantly 0-2% and relief intensity of <100m/km. Plains are found around
lake Awasa and cover 21.0 % of the total Lake catchment area. Cambisols,
Vertic luvisols, Vertic cambisols and Andosols are the dominant soil types on
these units.
II. PLATEAUX are also level lands that are compared with the surrounding land
escapes situated at relatively elevated positions. Plateaux are at least
bounded on one side by a slope or escarpment (8% or more) connecting it
with low-lying lands. These units have the same gradient and relief intensity
with the plains. Plateaux occur on the western side around shamena and
northern sides of the catchment on the road Awasa to Shashemene occupying
13.4 % of the study area. The dominant soil types on these landforms are
Regosols and Cambisols.
III. DEPRESSIONS are areas of level land that are surrounded by higher lying
level or sloping lands. These land forms have a slope of 0-2% dominantly with
a relief intensity of <100m/km. They occupy eastern part around Cheleleka,
north western and southern parts covering 6.7 % of the Lake catchment.
Gleysols and cambisols are common on these units.
IV. ROLLING PLAINS are composite landforms consisting of plains and 15-50%
medium gradient hills with a slope of <15 % and relief intensity of <600m/2km
that cannot be mapped separately. These landforms are found at the southern
part covering 4.4 % of the Lake catchment area. Alisols are dominant soils on
these landforms.
V. ROLLING PLATEAUX are also composite landforms that comprise plateau

and 15-50% medium gradient hills and ridges with slope and relief intensity
similar to rolling plains. These units are found south - west parts of the
catchment covering 5.7% with Cambisols and Alisols as dominant soils.
VI. MEDIUM GRADIENT HILLS are landforms with a slope of 8-30 % and relief
intensity 25m/slope unit. These units are found at the eastern, southern,
northeastern and northwestern parts that cover 3.2 % of the catchment.
Leptosols, Alisols and Cambisols are the main soil types on medium gradient
hills.
VII. HIGH GRADIENT HILLS are steep lands with a slope of >30% and relief
intensity of <600m/2km. These units are found north western, northern,
eastern and central parts of the study area, which covers 13.0 % of the total
area. Leptosols are the common soil types on these landforms.
VIII. MEDIUM AND HIGH GRADIENT HILLS are landforms, which are not mapped
separately. These units occupy eastern side of the catchment and covers 18.7
% of the total study area with Alisols as the main soil type.
IX. ELONGATED RIDGES meet all the qualification of medium gradient hills but
have an elongated shape with a single crest, which may have a more or less
constant elevation or may contain a number of peaks. These landforms are
very limited in the catchment that covers 0.4 % to the western side. Regosols
and Leptosols are the main soil types on this landform.
X. HIGH GRADIENT ESCARPMENT ZONES are steep lands that forms the
transition between high and low-lying areas and lacks out standing peak with a
slope of >30% and relief intensity >600m/2km. These units are extended from
south to northwest, eastern and northern sides covering 6.2 % of the total area
with Regosols and Leptosols as the main soil types.
2.3 LAND USE/LAND COVER OF LAKE AWASA CATCHMENT
This section deals with the result of an inventory survey of the land use land cover of
the lake Awasa catchment. In this report the different land cover types are described
and classified where upon for each land cover type the land use is characterized.
Aerial photograph (1965 and 1975) interpretation has been undertaken by using
stereoscope. Map of land use land cover of the 1965 was prepared simultaneously
with soil and terrain mapping as there is a strong inter - relation between soils, terrain
and land use land cover for the comparison and evaluation of land degradation.
These aerial photographs were interpreted using, as far as possible, the same land
cover/land use classification system as used in the field. The land use land cover is
mapped on a scale 1:50,000.
The same team who has done soils, terrain and erosion survey carried out
observations of land use and land cover. Land use/ Land cover data has been
collected at each auger hole and profile pit location while soil survey was undertaking.
Besides this point information a more comprehensive description was also made per
landform mapping units.
The land cover code and associated land use system codes were entered at the site
description. Existing crops at each site were included as well. 17point observations
were done.
The land use/ land cover descriptions include description of the cultivation (i.e.
percentage cultivated and the major crops) as well as a structural description of the
semi natural vegetation. The different uses of each land cover type were noted down
(in table 2. 2 and figure 2.1).
Finally, all point observations and observations per landform mapping units are
summarized on the land cover/land use report.
Due to the patchy and disperse nature of some of the semi natural vegetation, they
couldn’t be delineated separately. The same applied for the up land mixed farming of
perennial plantation, crop and grazing lands existing in the east, south and west part of
the project area. The locations of all observations site were registered with
geographical positioning system.
2.3.1Classifications of Land Cover/land use
Land cover and land use definitions are adopted from ITC, 1988. Land cover includes
the different features covering the earth’s surface, such as water, forest, and other
vegetation, bare rock or soil, man made structures etc. These features can be directly
observed on aerial photographs.
Land use refers to the use that is made of the various land covers e.g. grazing, timber
production, agriculture, recreation (game park), fishing and the likes. Different land
cover types may be used for one land use and one type of land cover can have
different land uses. Land use is often difficult to observe directly from aerial
photographs. It is generally inferred from a combination of imagery interpretation with
local people confirmation, expertise judgment, field observation and additional
secondary data from relevant offices.
All available information and data (field descriptions, aerial photographs and existing
maps) have been combined for the land cover land use classification, description and
to make a legend for the land cover/land use map. These mapping units are adopted
from the Soil and Terrain (SOTER) map ISRIC, 1995 for Lake Awasa lake catchment
the land use classification.
(Semi) natural vegetation covers were identified and delineated mainly based on the
aerial photo interpretation and description of the natural vegetation made based on the
field descriptions. The present natural vegetation compositions of the units were
grouped into 17 mapping units i.e. a) 12 mapping units were distinguished with a
uniform vegetation cover b) the remaining five mapping units are complex units.
The coverage percentages of the complexes don’t always add up to 100%. A mixture
of other land cover classes, which are not sufficient to be included in the legend
description, covers the remaining percentages. The legend is composed of the
following units.
a. Uniform legend units of the present land use land cover study (1998)
Uniform legends are units of uniform cover. There are twelve units identified in the
catchment mentioned below.
a.i Open bush land (BO): These units lay on high gradient hill north of Kelelame
adjacent to Shallo farm on the way to Shashemene and on escarpments near
to Meribo village to the southeast direction and south of Wendo kosha. The
main land use activities are browsing, grazing, collection of wood for fire and
construction.
Fig 2.1 Structural Classifications for Semi-natural Vegetation
a.ii Bare rock (BR): These mapping units are dominantly found on small isolated
hills with in the plain stretching from Tabor Ceramic Factory via Kike hill on the
way to Tula village on the eastern side of the main tar road. One of them is
Kuwe hill south of lake Awasa. These units are volcanic origin with few or with
out any vegetation. The main land use of the units is serving as a quarry for
construction materials of roads and others with limited grazing.
a.iii Open bushy woodland (BWO): This type of vegetation dominantly covers the
northwest corner of the Shamene plateau escarpment facing to the lake
Awasa. Presently the land use of this unit is grazing, browsing, fire wood
collection and very limited rain fed agriculture in patches. This unit needs
careful attention especially on the slopping lands, because it is susceptible to
erosion.
a.iv Dense bushy wood land (BWD): The only dense bushy wood land is located
on the north top of the catchment adjacent to Wendo kosha village. Wood is
being highly exploited at present for fuel and domestic use next to grazing and
browsing.
a.v Plantation forest (FP): Plantation forest occurs in Wondo Genet Melge meat
factory compound. It is used for conservation and shading.
a.vi Open grassland (GO): The wide open grass land is found around lake
Cheleleka, the others as patches on Alge hill, near by Hare kebele, Alamura hill
near to Monopol Tobacco factory, Chefa Sine plain, Melge Wondo and Wetera
plains on the way to Cheleleka lake. These units are used for grazing.
a.vii Shrubby grassland (GS): The shrubby grassland occurs on Shalo cattle farm
adjacent to the main road from Tikure Wuha village on the way to Toga. It is
being extensively grazed together with browsing.
a.viii Swampy grass land (GT): Swampy grassland with tall grasses which has
covered the previous Cheleleka Lake that is not used or managed.
a.ix Open shrubland (SHO): Open shrubland exists on upper to middle part of llala
(llanta) hill that the lower slope is surrounded by cultivated fields.
a.x Lake (WL): This unit refers to the water body of lake Awasa, which is currently
expanding and covering 6.9 % of the catchment. The main land use activity is
fishing in addition a number of small boats are found on lake Awasa for
recreational purpose. Lake Cheleleka is changed to swampy area covered with
tall grasses.
a.xi Cultivation (CF): On almost all over the catchment cultivation is dominant.
Mechanized and small holder private farms occupy the flatter plain and mixed
farming (agro-forestry, perennial crops like Coffee and Enset, seasonal high
land crops, and grazing land for animal farming) covers the rest of the project
area except on the escarpments used for communal uncontrolled grazing.
a.xii Settlement (U): The Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State Capital
Town, Awasa, is located in the middle of the project area, besides a number of
other small towns and settlements are founded which are to small to be
mapped. Awasa town covers 1 % of the catchment .
b. Complex mapping units of the present land use land cover study
(1998)
Complex mapping units are units containing more than one land covers combined,
which are not mapped separately. Therefore, the following five combined mapping
units are adopted.
b.i Open bushy woodland with Cultivated land (BWO+CF): Open bushy wood
and cultivated lands cover widely medium and high gradient hills of the Wijigra
sheet of the catchment. This unit also covers some part of Rima kebele found
on the near north of Awasa lake starting from Alge hill stretching to the north
west adjacent in between the escarpment and Awasa state agricultural farm
units. The main land use activities are extraction of fire wood and charcoal
together with extensive grazing. The other type of land use highly exercised is
agro-forestry cultivated for enset, coffee, chat and barely with indigenous
species like coniferous grown in the area.
b.ii Cultivated land with exposed bare rock and soil (CF+BR+BS): The
combination of cultivated fields, exposed rock and soil. This unit lies south-west
corner of the catchment with rainfed, agro forestry and extensive grazing
cultivated for enset and maize. Patches of exposed bare rocks and soils on
hills are observed which are not yet managed or conserved.
b.iii Open grassland with bare soil (GO+BS): Open grassland and exposed soil
are covering Abaye, Hurufa and Doyo ridges mapped together as escarpment
stretching from south to west. The escarpment is not managed or conserved
rather extensively grazed. These units are severely degraded by all forms of
water erosion, which need careful attention because it is steep to very steep
and very susceptible to erosion.
b.iv Open grassland with open bushy woodland (GO+BWO): Open grassland
and open bushy woodland are found mixed together on Tabor high gradient
hill. Its main land use is fire wood collection, construction and extensive grazing
but currently looks like closure area.
b.v Open grassland with open shrubland (GO+SHO): Open grass and shrub
lands are situated in Weransa ridge which is mapped as escarpment found on
the top north east of Cheleleka lake extending towards Toga. Fire wood
collection and extensive grazing are the main land use activities of the
escarpment.
To make comparisons of the past and the present covers, two maps were prepared.
The first was cover map of the 1965 and the second 1998 (maps 1and 2).
Based on the comparison of the past (1965) and the present (1998) land covers of
open bush land, cultivated fields, open grazing land, urban and buildups and Awasa
lake showed spatial increment by 136.2, 50.7, 7.2, 185.7 and 13.6 percent respectively
whereas dense bushy woodland and open bushy wood land decreased by 55 and 73.8
percent respectively. The increments and decrements are due to the change of land
covers and uses (table 2.3).
Previously lake Awasa covered 8800 ha and currently due to the lake expansion, it
occupies 10000 ha with increment of 1200 ha. The lake Cheleleka, which was 1200 ha
in the past, changed almost in to tall grass cover because of deposition from the
surrounding areas. The water evacuated from Cheleleka entered into Awasa Lake
causing water level rise.
Table 2.3 Cumulative hectares and percentage Changes of similar covers between 1965 and 1998.
1965 1998 INCREAMENT DECREAMENT
Land cover ha % Land cover ha % % %
BO 470 0.3 BO 1110 0.7 136.2 -

BWD 18755 12.8 BWD 8450 5.8 - 55
BWO 12125 8.3 BWO 3180 2.1 - 73.8
CF 40586 27.8 CF 61179 41.9 50.7 -
FP 80 0.05 FP 80 0.05 - -
GO 7935 5.4 GO 8505 5.8 7.2 -
U 490 0.3 U 1400 0.9 185.7 -
WL (Awasa) 8800 6.0 W (Awasa) 10000 6.8 13.6 -
WL (Cheleleka) 1200 0.8 GT 1200 0.8 - -
CF+BR+BS 8260 5.6 CF+BR+BS 8260 5.6 - -
SHD 450 0.3 BR 153 0.1 - -
WD 9240 6.3 GS 1270 0.8 - -
BO+GO 480 0.3 SHO 140 0.09 - -
BWD+GO 3047 20.9 GT 1180 0.7 - -
SHO+BR 736 0.5 BWO+CF 37780 25.9 - -
WO+GO 2930 2.0 GO+BS 3630 2.4 - -
SHO+BR+BS 2690 1.8 GO+BWO 110 0.07 - -
GO+SHO 450 0.3 - -
2.4 Soil Classification and Soil mapping unit description
Classification is based on the physical and chemical characteristics which include depth,
color, structural development, texture and evidence of profile development such as
presence of diagnostic horizons, reaction to 10% HCl, pH value and others.
The general characteristics of the soils are given in one of the mapping units with similar
soils. Under the soil mapping units distribution of different soil types on different
landforms are indicated on map 4. Nineteen mapping units were identified and overage
of each mapping units are given in table 2.4.
1.1 PLCm :- Cambisols developed on flat to undulating plain with a relief intensity of
less than 100m/km and regional slope of 0 - 8 % . The dominant soils in this unit
are Cambisols. These soils are characterized by the presence of cambic B-
horizon and showing a change in color, structure and consistence. Dominantly,
these soils are well-drained, very deep (>150cm), weak to moderately developed,
fine to medium, sub angular block in structure. It is very dark grey to very dark
greyish brown and dark brown in color; fine and medium textured; many, fine and
medium pores; slightly hard, loose to friable, non sticky to sticky; none plastic to
plastic in consistency; none to slightly calcareous with a pH of 5-7.5; few to many
rock fragments in the profile. They occur on slope 0-2% at the western side of
lake Awasa and covers 9.6 % of the total area.
1.2 PLAd: Andosols developed on flat to undulating plain with a relief intensity of
less than 100m/km and regional slope of 0 - 8 %. Andosols are the common soils
on these mapping units, which are characterized by the presence of andic
properties. These soils overlay volcanic materials below 30 cm. They are well
drained; weak to moderate, fine to medium, crumb in structure; very dark grey to
black in color; medium textured; loose to very friable, non sticky to slightly sticky,
non plastic to slightly plastic consistency; none to slightly calcareous with pH of
5.0; common rock fragments on the surface and dominant below the surface
horizons. These soils occur with slope of 0-2 % on Shallo farm on the road
Awasa to Shashemene which covers 5.0 % of the study area.
1.3 PLCMv: Vertic cambisols developed on flat to undulating plain with a relief
intensity of less than 100m/km and regional slope of 0 - 8 %. The dominant soils
in this unit are vertical cambisols with very few patchygleysols. Vertic cambisols
show vertic properties in some of the horizons. These soils are moderately well
drained; very deep; moderate, fine to coarse sub angular and angular blocky;
black to very dark grey in colour; friable to firm, sticky and plastic consistency;
fine textured; many, fine pores; distinct; slickensides and medium cracks in the
profile; common, distinct, reddish brown mottles in the subsoil; none calcareous
with pH of 5.0. These mapping units are found eastern side of the catchment and
covers 4.5 % of the total mapping unit.
1.4 PLLvv: Vertic luvisols developed on flat to undulating plain with a relief intensity
of less than 100m/km and regional slope0 - 8 %. Vertic luvisols are the main soil
types in these mapping units, which are characterized by the presence of an
argic B-horizon and showing vertic properties. These soils are well to moderately
well drained; very deep; weak to moderate, fine and medium, sub angular blocky
in structure; fine to medium textured; very dark grey to very dark greyish brown in
color; friable, sticky and plastic consistency; prominent, distinct, clay skins;
common, distinct, yellowish brown mottles in very few horizons; many, fine pores;
few, fine rock fragments at the surface and in the profile; none to slightly
calcareous and pH of 5-5.5. These mapping units found on the eastern side of
Awasa town that covers 1.8 % of the total catchment.
1.5 LL (RG+CM): Regosols and Cambisols developed on flat to undulating plateaux

with a relief intensity of <100m/2km and slope of 0-8%. Regosols and Cambisols
are the common soils on these landforms. The main characteristics of Cambisols
are described above under the mapping unit PLCM. Regosols are formed from
unconsolidated materials that are coarse textured and more than 100cm deep.
These soils are well to excessively drain; deep to very deep; brown to dark brown
in color; coarse textured; common, fine and coarse rock fragments. This soil-
mapping unit occupies northern parts of the study area and covers 10.9 % of the
total catchment area.
1.6 LDCm: Cambisols developed on flat to undulating depressions with a relief

intensity of less than 100m/km and regional slope of 0- 8 %. The dominant soils
in this mapping units are Cambisols that develops on depression areas on slope
of 0-2% dominantly, which are surrounded by hills, escarpments and elongated
ridges. These units are found on the northwest and south west of the study area,
which covers 1.8 % of the catchment. These areas are intensively cultivated for
different types of crops.
1.7 LDGL: Gleysols developed on flat to undulating depressions with a relief

intensity of less than 100m/km and regional slope of 0 - 8 %. Gleysols are the
main soil types on depressions with a slope of 0-2%. These soils are poorly
drained; fine and medium textured; black to very dark grey (grey color) and very
dark grey to very dark greyish brown; none calcareous with a pH of around 5.0.
Ground water is encountered at shallow depth on these soil-mapping units. These
Areas are found on the southern side of Cheleleka Lake, which are used for
extensive grazing that covers 4.9 %.
1.8 LLCm: - Cambisols developed on flat to undulating plain with a relief intensity of
less than 100m/km and regional slope of 0 - 8 %. Cambisols are the dominant
soil types on plateaux. These soil-mapping units re found western part of the
catchment around Shamena, which covers 2.2 % f, the total-mapping units.
1.9 CRPAL: Alisols developed on rolling plains with a variable gradient and relief
intensity, which cannot be separately mapped. Alisols are the common soil types
in these soil-mapping units. Alisols are soils having an argic B-horizon with high
aluminum content. These soils are well drained; very deep; weak to moderate,
fine to medium; sub angular blocky in structure; fine textured; slightly hard, friable
to very friable, dark reddish brown on top and dusky red in the sub soil; many,
fine pores; patchy to broken, faint clay cutans and pressure faces; common,
medium, irregular shaped, hard and soft iron and manganese nodules; none
calcareous with a pH of around 5.0. These soil-mapping units are found
southern parts of the catchment around Tula occupying 4.3 % of the study area.
1.10 CRL (Cm+AL): Cambisols and Alisols developed on rolling plateaus with a slope
of < 15% and relief intensity of <600m/2km. Cambisols and Alisols are the main
soil types in this mapping units. These units are found on the peripheral part of
the south catchment, which covers 5.6 %.
1.11 SHLP: Leptosols developed on medium gradient hills with 8-30% slope and
relief intensity of > 25m/slope unit. Leptosols are the main soil types in this unit.
They are weakly developed shallow soils limited in depth by continuous hard
rock. These soils are very shallow; some what excessively drained; very dark
greyish brown in color; fine to coarse textured; few to many, fine to coarse rock
fragments; none calcareous with pH of around 5.0. These soil mapping units are
found with in the undulating plain on isolated hills extending from Tula to
Shashemene tar road on both sides covering 1.5 % of the catchment.
1.12 SH (LP+CM): Leptosols and Cambisols developed on medium gradient hills.

Leptosols and Cambisols are the common soil types on these mapping units.
They are found north west of lake Awasa and northeastern parts of the study
area covering 2.2 % of the total catchment area.
1.13 SHAL: Alisols developed on medium gradient hills. Alisols are the main soil
types in these mapping units. They are found eastern sides of Tula town covering
0.4 % of the study area.
1.14 CRe (LP+RG): Leptosols and Regosols developed on elongated ridges with a
slope of<30% and relief intensity of >25m/slope unit. Leptosols and Regosols are
the two dominant soils of these mapping units. These units are found
southwestern parts lake Awasa.
1.15 SH/THAL: Alisols developed on medium and high gradient hills. Alisols are the
most frequent soils in these mapping units. They are found on the peripheral
parts to the eastern side that covers 18.3 % of the catchment.
1.16 THLp: Leptosols developed on high gradient hills of < 600m/2km relief
intensity and slope of >30%. Leptosols are the main soils in these mapping units.
The largest is found on the eastern sides of Wondogenet town and the others are
scattered through out the study area that cover 6.3 % of the study area.
1.17 THLPro: Leptosols with dominant stones and rock out crops developed on high
gradient hills; the dominant soils in this mapping unit are leptosols with dominant
stones and rock outcrops. These units are found on the northern parts of the
catchment, which covers 5.8 %.
1.18 TE LP: Leptosols developed on high gradient escarpment zones on slope of >30
and relief intensity of >600m/2km. Leptosols are the dominant soils in this
mapping units. These units are located north of Cheleleka and eastern parts of
the study area that covers 1.0 % of the total catchment area.
1.19 TE(Lp+Rg): Leptosols and Regosols developed on high gradient escarpment

zones Leptosols and Regosols are the two dominant soils on the mapping units.
They are found to the western and southern parts covering 5.0 % of the total
area.
Table 2.4 Coverage of each soil-mapping units in Lake Awasa Catchment
NO. DOMINANT SOILS MAPPING ha. % of the total

UNIT CODE catchment
1 Cambisols PLCM 13908 9.6
2 Andosols PL AD 7475 5
3 Regosols and Cambisols LL (RG+ CM) 15900 10.9
4 Vertic Cambisols PLCMv 6547 4.5
5 Vertic luvisols PLLVv 2590 1.8
6 Cambisols LDCm 2560 1.76
7 Gleysols LD GL 7140 4.9
8 Cambisols LL CM 3250 2.2
9 Cambisols and Alisols CRL(CM+AL) 8190 5.6
10 Alisols CRP AL 6220 4.3
11. Leptosols and Regosols Cre(LP+RG) 630 0.4
12. Leptosols and Cambisols SH(LP+CM) 3260 2.2
13. Leptosols SH LP 1670 1.5
14. Alisols SH AL 600 0.4
15. Alisols SH/TH AL 26710 18.3
16. Leptosols TH LP 9155 6.3
17. Leptosols with stones TH LPro 8450 5.8
and rocks
18. Leptosols TE LP 1520 1
19 Leptosols and Regosols TE(LP+RG) 7302 5
2.5 SOILS OF POTENTIAL IRRIGABLE AREAS IN LAKE AWASA CATCHMENT
The reconnaissance soil survey study is executed in order to provide essential soils and
land related information for the purpose to irrigate 15810 ha of land within the lake Awasa
catchment. The area is selected as an alternative to reduce lake water level by pumping
water from the lake for irrigation.
2.5.1 Previous Studies
The Basic Seed Farm Project Awasa Shallo Unit, July 1987 was one of the previous study
conducted in the project area, which was aimed to determine soil and land classification,
land suitability for sprinkler irrigation and land suitability for crops. The methodologies
chosen for these purpose were aerial photo interpretation at scale of 1:11000, auger
observation every 200ha and laboratory analysis for selected project area but the
catchment was studied and mapped at scale of 1:1000000. Under this study about 600ha
was selected based on the type of soil, slope, topography, accessibility and irrigation
management facility. The findings of previous and present soil survey studies have
similarity except the difference in classification systems and scale used.
The other study was on Soil Conditions and Fertility Status of Shallo Basic Seed Farm by
Dr. Sahile Medin with the main objective to assess the general fertility status of Shallo
basic seed farm based on some physical and chemical properties of composite surface
soil samples as determined in the laboratory. Under this study, the physical and chemical
characteristics of the soils are analysed and interpreted but the study was limited on
Shallo basic seed farm, which doesn’t include the whole potential irrigable areas under the
present study.
2.5.2 Present study
The soil survey with observation density of 1:200 ha was carried out on the selected
areas, which was pre-delineated by the project irrigation engineer. The potential irrigable
areas are located on the northern, northeastern, eastern and western side of the lake. All
these areas have similar topographic features of flat to slightly undulating topography with
linear slope and they all have in common: good workability, good internal and external
drainage and presently all are under cultivation except small portion of the north eastern
side (Shalo cattle farm), which is covered with shrubby grass land used for grazing.
The following methods of investigations were applied on the selected areas by the project
irrigation engineer.
 Aerial photo of 1975 was interpreted and preliminary soil map of the catchment area
was prepared supplemented by 1:50,000 Topographic map of Ethiopia on which the
potential irrigable area is delineated.
 Based on the prepared preliminary soil map, transacts were formulated in order to
check the homogeneity/ heterogeneity of the soil characteristics which may be resulted
from the slope change towards the lake.
 A total of 79 auger hole observations were made to a depth of 120cm. Soil

characteristic and surface condition was described at each auger site.
 For detail description, soil profile pit sites were selected based on the auger
description and aerial photo interpretation. A total of 12 profile pits were described to a
depth of 200cm.
 Physical tests (Infiltration and Hydraulic conductivity) have been conducted on five
representative profile pits.
 Infiltration rates were measured in triplicates for representative sites using double ring
infiltrometer. The triplicates were separated approximately 10m apart and for the test,
Awasa lake water was used.
 Permeability (hydraulic conductivity) was also measured in the same representative

sites using Gualph permeameter and the same water source was used.
Measurements were made at 20cm and 50cm depth for each replicate and for each
measurement site at 5cm and 10cm head.
 A total of 34 soil samples have been collected from 11 selected profile pits out of which
16 samples were collected from five pits on irrigable area and submitted to Water
Works Design and Supervision Enterprise soil laboratory for soil analysis.
The site information were carried out that each observation is determined by Geographical
positioning system (GPs), elevation using altimeter, slope with clinometer.
For auger and profile descriptions: depth with Dutch pattern auger, color with Munsel color
book, carbonate reaction with 10 % HCL and pH using Hellige-pehameter and pH indicator
solution ( NEU-ohne methanol) in the field.
In the laboratory, the main physical and chemical characteristics of particle size
distribution (texture), pH, CEC, CaCO3, available phosphorous, available potassium,
organic carbon, exchangeable cations and electrical conductivity were analyzed. Base
saturation, organic matter and exchangeable sodium percentage were calculated from the
above results.
The topography in general is flat to undulating plain developed from lacustrine deposit of
medium textured at the top 30cm and medium to coarse textured sub-soil overlaying
recent/ old volcanic ash and probably un welded tuff (Ignimbrite). The surrounding high
gradients hills and up lands are composed of basalt, rhyolite and obsidian.
The land use of the survey area is dry land farming of mechanized Shallo basic seed and
private farms. Small portion is covered with shrubby grass land, which accounts about 8 %
of the total proposed irrigable area. The main crop growing in the area is Maize. Haricot
bean, Sun flower, Sisal and Tobacco are also planted.
2.5.3 Soil characteristics
Soils have many physical and chemical characteristics that are useful in describing and
differentiating. Among them, the most important characters include effective soil depth, soil
color, texture, acidity or alkalinity, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity and
base saturation. The summarized selected soils physical and chemical analysis results of
potential irrigable areas are presented in table 2.5.
 Soil depth of all sites of the irrigable potential area ranges from moderately deep to
very deep.
 Soil colors in the study area vary from very dark brown to pale brown. The soils of the
irrigable area are fine to medium textured. Most of the soil structures in the study area
are weak to strong, fine to coarse, dominantly sub-angular blocky. Soil reaction in the
study area is moderately acidic to very alkaline; the pH (H 2O) various between 5.8 to
9.8. The pH-H2O is higher than pH-KCL that the difference gives positive values, which
shows the presence of negatively charged clay surface to absorb cations and
increases the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the soil.
 Electrical conductivity of soils in the project area range 0.02 - 0.4 mScm -1which is very
low (salt free).
 The cation exchange capacity measurements are commonly made as part of the
overall assessment of the potential fertility of a soil, and possible response to fertilizer
application. Most CEC estimates are derived from the amount of a particular cation
that a soil can hold when leached by a buffered solution containing that cation. The
obtained values from the chemical analysis of soils in the survey area ranges from
1.75-to 37.15-meq/100gm soil (very low - high) demonstrate the general relation ship
between soil texture and CEC. Fine textured soils have very high CEC.
 The base saturation statues of the soils in the different units range from 46.0 to 234.0
% (medium to very high).
 In the study area, the organic carbon content of the surface soils range from 1.51 to
4.96 % (very low - medium) and organic matter 2.6 to 8.6 % (medium - very high).
 The value of available P in the soils ranges from 0.02 to 0.2 ppm (very low) and. Such
a range, indicate that there is no variation in the amount of available P in the different
soils across the study area.
 Exchangeable calcium (Ca) the values of exchangeable Ca in the soil vary from 0.4
to 17.88 meq/100g (very low - high ).
 Exchangeable Magnesium (Mg) the value of exchangeable magnesium ranges from

0.81 - 6.84 meq/100g (low - high).
Table 2.5 Physical and Chemical analysis of soils
Pit Location UTM Soil Depth Total Silt Clay Textural pH pH EC O.C CaCO3
No. type sand class
Ap01 North East Andosol (Cm) ------------%------------ (H2o) (Kcl ms/cm --------%-----
# Irrigable land 786481 444023 )
0-25 51.91 32.50 15.59 L 5.8 5.0 0.12 4.96 -
25-150 63.74 32.92 3.34 SL 7.6 6.2 0.04 - 0.54
150-200 18.66 63.32 16.02 SIL 7.8 5.8 0.06 0.72 0.74
Ap04 781859 432743 Cambisol 0-20 38.28 43.77 17.95 L 7.0 5.6 0.08 2.11 1.24
# Irrigable land 20-70 68.43 28.19 3.38 SL 8.2 7.0 0.05 0.63 1.09
70-140 80.28 17.89 1.83 LS 9.2 7.8 0.10 0.15 1.27
140-180 38.23 52.33 9.44 SIL 9.8 7.8 0.17 - 1.09
Apo7 772939 428784 Cambisol 180-200 60.88 33.0 6.12 SL 9.4 7.6 0.22 - 2.01
# Irrigable land 0-30 36.95 42.82 20.23 L 7.2 5.2 0.02 1.51 1.57
30-100 36.22 38.27 25.51 L 7.4 5.6 0.4 0.85 1.30
Ap08 774603 432686 Cambisol 0-40 32.56 40.20 27.24 L 7.2 5.8 0.05 2.57 2.43
# Irrigable land 40-100 21.28 33.95 44.77 C 8.8 6.4 0.12 0.60 45
Ap10 777382 443932 Vertic 0-15 34.61 36.20 29.19 CL 6.8 5.2 0.05 1.85 1.39
# Irrigable land Luvisol 15-50 27.43 37.43 25.14 CL 6.8 5.2 0.04 1.83 1.68
50-90 24.35 30.27 45.38 C 7.4 5.2 0.03 0.67 0.46
90-140 10.19 37.52 52.29 C 7.4 5.8 0.08 0.49 2.49
Ap13 771367 451054 Vertic 0-10 43.38 29.45 27.17 L 6.8 5.6 0.05 2.91 1.85
Irrigable land Cambisol 10-70 33.98 26.61 39.91 CL 7.0 5.6 0.03 2.06 1.78
70-120 29.75 30.11 40.14 C 7.4 5.4 0.03 0.88 2.08
120-160 52.06 21.69 26.25 SCL 6.0 5.2 0.04 0.34 -
160-200 9.94 42.72 47.37 SIC 7.2 5.6 0.05 0.39 2.10
Ap14 Irrigable land 766560 454292 Alisol 0-30 32.44 38.44 29.15 CL 7.0 5.6 0.15 3.47 2.21
30-95 17.33 29.45 53.22 C 6.2 5.2 0.05 2.09 -
95-140 13.77 25.55 60.68 C 6.6 5.0 0.03 0.69 -
A15 779590 441551 Cambisol 140-200 9.60 23.36 67.04 C 6.4 5.2 0.04 0.34 -
** Awasa 0-30 42.84 23.53 33.63 CL 6.6 5.6 0.16 1.62 -
Agricultural 30-75 33.75 43.73 22.52 L 7.8 5.6 0.12 0.13 2.77
College farm 75-165 41.53 30.74 27.73 L 8.2 6.2 0.18 - 3.60
165-200 47.39 44.08 8.02 L 8.8 6.6 0.13 - 3.08
Ap16 Awasa 779878 441678 Cambisol 0-25 38.79 38.19 23.02 L 8.0 6.3 0.15 1.63 2.75
** Agricultural 25-80 37.26 44.89 17.85 L 8.4 6.0 0.18 0.10 3.30
College farm 80-200 35.46 46.65 17.89 L 8.8 6.0 0.16 - 2.68
Table 2.5 cont...
PIT Depth available Available Exch. Exch. Exch. Exch. CEC B.S ESP
No LOCATION P K Na K Ca Mg
(Cm) mg/kg p2o5 --------------- --meq/100 gm soil---------------- %
Ap01 0-25 12.99 98.23 0.66 0.25 9.37 1.64 25.70 46 2.6
# Irrigable land 25-150 5.292 96.88 0.52 0.23 0.40 - 1.75 66 29.7
150-200 3.075 666.32 5.12 1.42 10.24 1.64 20.48 90 25.0
Ap04 0-20 21.395 663.70 2.53 1.67 8.98 3.26 18.63 88 13.6
# Irrigable land 20-70 4.530 293.26 1.45 o.55 8.90 2.42 10.99 121 13.2
70-140 3.026 437.26 5.13 0.98 4.03 1.21 4.86 234 105.6
140-180 1.495 755.32 11.30 1.79 2.43 0.81 13.63 120 82.9
180-200 2.294 634.74 9.25 1.42 3.24 0.81 11.45 129 81.0
Apo7 0-30 10.760 1112.70 3.88 2.68 8.62 2.87 22.30 81 17.4
# Irrigable land 30-100 5.431 1267.22 6.05 3.10 9.90 2.47 26.00 83 23.4
Ap08 0-40 12.421 1100.69 2.84 2.69 17.02 3.74 22.34 118 12.7
# Irrigable land 40-100 4.786 3603.43 20.90 8.93 14.52 6.84 37.15 138 56.3
Ap10 0-15 6.186 719.89 1.75 1.65 11.12 2.89 16.79 104 10.4
# Irrigable land 15-50 7.762 399.87 1.31 0.85 14.10 2.49 19.61 96 6.7
50-90 3.844 643.52 2.90 1.34 2.22 1.64 14.07 58 20.6
90-140 6.00 1435.97 7.17 3.50 17.88 6.38 31.46 111 22.8
Ap13 0-10 103.786 372.34 1.21 0.88 16.07 3.29 22.39 96 5.4
Irrigable land 10-70 1.973 477.14 1.40 0.94 20.84 4.17 26.96 102 5.2
70-120 5.084 656.68 2.41 1.67 18.44 5.87 30.98 92 7.8
120-160 3.495 549.28 1.67 1.10 14.50 2.49 20.49 96 8.2
160-200 4.354 689.10 2.35 1.58 21.18 4.22 28.32 104 8.3
Ap14 0-30 78.845 1715.83 3.14 4.19 20.10 4.19 29.82 106 10.5
Irrigable land 30-95 7.464 783.70 1.87 1.73 14.27 2.51 25.31 81 7.4
95-140 6.752 714.62 1.70 1.11 12.71 4.23 25.55 77 6.7
140-200 9.152 1616.99 2.82 3.83 14.48 4.69 26.63 97 10.6
Ap15 Awasa Agricultural 0-30 104.491 1699.44 5.64 4.25 11.61 7.06 28.86 99 19.5
** College farm 30-75 12.292 1864.86 9.91 4.78 17.81 6.36 31.34 122 7.1
75-165 3.548 2560.67 14.18 6.48 18.51 5.48 31.10 144 45.6
165-200 4.202 1502.44 5.78 3.42 11.86 4.08 16.89 149 34.2
Ap16 Awasa Agricultural 0-25 65.091 1979.43 6.18 4.75 21.90 5.90 32.96 118 18.8
** College farm 25-80 30.674 1897.54 11.89 4.41 20.00 8.09 43.02 103 27.6
80-200 2.012 2380.26 14.31 5.94 13.17 8.49 31.40 134 45.6
# Pits on potential irrigable areas.

** Pits on Awasa Agricultural College Farm which are irrigated by water of lake Awasa.
 Exchangeable potassium (K) the values of exchangeable K in the study area

ranges from 0.23 to 8.93 meq/100g (low - very high).
 Exchangeable sodium (Na) the value of exchangeable sodium ranges from

0.52 to 20.9 (medium - very high).
 Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) is exchangeable sodium divided by

cation exchange capacity (CEC) multiplied by hundred which is a widely used
measure of the effect of high sodium levels.
 The exchangeable sodium percentage of the soils ranges from 2.6 to 105.6 %
(low - very high).
 Calcium carbonate equivalent of > 15 % is used in the F.A.O definition of a calcic

horizon and greater than 40 % for calcareous material underlying redizina soils.
High level of carbonate (> 15 % ) affect the physical as well as chemical property
of a soil.
 The CaCO3 content of all soils of the study area ranges from 0.46 - 45 %.
The soils of the survey area seem to have formed from two major geological
formations. The upper was probably developed from Lacustrine deposit and the
underlying sub-soil have probably developed mainly from Volcanic ash driven from
pyroclastic and later thinly covered with overlaying material maintained above. The
soils seem to be very susceptible to erosion and if not covered with vegetation they
could easily be washed away.
The existing soil types in the irrigable area are not precisely delineated because of
the scale and the aim of the project which limits the detail, however, the dominant
soil type in each soil mapping unit is are:-
a. PLCm - Soils developed on flat to undulating plain with a relief intensity of less
than 100m/km and regional slope of 0 - 8 %. The dominant soil in this unit is
cambisol derived from lacustrine over insitu weathered. This soil is characterized
by presence of cambic B horizon and showing a change in color, structure and
consistence. Ground water table and flooding are not observed on the surface.
Soil of this mapping unit represents deep to very deep, well drained, very dark
gray to brown; medium to coarse; weak to moderate, fine to medium sub-angular
block in structure; loose to friable, slightly sticky to sticky, slightly plastic to
plastic; few to many, medium to coarse pores. The occurrence of rock fragments
is few, fine to coarse on the top, then common below and many at the bottom of
the profile. The soil is free of mottles, cutains and mineral nodules through out
the profile, slightly calcareous and pH (H2O) of 6.8 - 9.8. EC 0.02 to 0.4ms/cm,
CEC 4.86 to 37.15 meq/100gm, BSP 81 to 234 %, OC 0.15 to 2.57 %, Organic
Matter 0.3 to 4.4 %, Exchangeable calcium 2.43 to 17.02 meq/100g,
Exchangeable magnesium 0.81 to 6.84 meq/100g, Exchangeable potassium
0.55 to 8.93 meq/100g, Exchangeable sodium 1.45 to 20.9 meq/100g,
Available Phosphorous 0.01 to 0.2 ppm, Available potassium 2.9 to 36.0 ppm,
ESP 12.7 to 105.6 %.
Dominantly the pH of the surface soil is less than 8.5 and ESP less than 15 that
indicates the absence of sodicity problem on the surface whereas below the
surface the pH is greater than 8.5 and ESP greater than 15 % that shows the
presence of sodicity. This problem can be solved by increasing calcium content
with the application of gypsum or super phosphate which can over a period of
one or two years by leaching replaces sodium in the exchange complex and
negates its effect or by cultivating sodicity tolerant crops.
The available phosphorous in this unit is very low that is deficient in the potential
area which needs application of phosphorous fertilizer. For the soils having very
low organic matter content, keeping tillage to minimum, using cover crops,
incorporating crop residues in to the soil, ploughing at proper soil moisture level
and rotating crops help to maintain tilth that increase organic matter and CEC of
the soil.
The Ca : Mg ratio (3:1) indicates medium level. The Mg:k ratio (1.5:1) shows lack
of Mg. For unavailability of Mg, quick-acting Mg fertilizers are required.
This unit is widely found in the western side of lake Awasa containing 60.6 % of
the total irrigable area. The representative pits for this mapping unit are AP04,
AP07 and AP08.
b. PLLvv- Soils developed on flat to undulating plain with a relief intensity of less
than 100m/km and regional slope of 0 - 8 %. Vertic luvisols are the main soil
types in this mapping units which are characterized by the presence of an argic
B horizon and showing vertic properties. These soils are well to moderately well
drained ; very deep; weak to moderate, fine and medium, sub angular blocky in
structure; fine to medium textured; very dark grey to very dark greyish brown in
color; friable, sticky and plastic consistency; prominent, distinct, clay skins;
common, distinct, yellowish brown mottles in very few horizons; many, fine pores;
few, fine rock fragments at the surface and in the profile; none to slightly
calcareous and pH of 6.8 - 7.4. EC 0.03 to 0.08ms/cm, CEC 14.07 to 31.46
meq/100gm. BSP 58 to 111 %, OC 0.49 to 1.85 %, Organic Matter 0.9 to 3.2 %,
Exchangeable calcium 2.22 to 17.88 meq/100g, Exchangeable magnesium 1.64
to 6.38 meq/100g, Exchangeable potassium 0.85 to 3.5 meq/100g,
Exchangeable sodium 1.31 to 7.17 meq/100g, Available Phosphorous 0.04 to
0.08 ppm, Available potassium 4.0 to 14.4 ppm, ESP 6.7 to 22.8 %.
The pH of the surface soil is less than 8.5 and ESP less than 15 that indicates
the absence of sodicity problem on the surface whereas below 50 cm depth the
ESP is greater than 15 % that shows the presence of sodicity. This can be solved
by increasing calcium content with the application of gypsum or super phosphate
which can over a period of one or two years by leaching replaces sodium in the
exchange complex and negates its effect or by cultivating sodicity tolerant crops.
the soil.
The Ca : Mg ratio (2.8:1) indicates Mg is medium. The K : Mg ratio (0.4:1) shows

lack of Mg. For unavailability of Mg, quick-acting Mg fertilizers are required.
This mapping unit is found on the eastern side of Awasa town that covers 19.0
% of the total irrigable area. The representative pits for this mapping unit is
AP10.
c. PLAd: Soils developed on flat to undulating plain with a relief intensity of less
than 100m/km and regional slope of 0 - 8 %. Andosols are the common soils on
these mapping units, which are characterized by the presence of andic
properties. These soils overlay volcanic materials below 30 cm. They are well
drained; weak to moderate, fine to medium, crumb in structure; very dark grey to
black in color; medium textured; loose to very friable, non sticky to slightly sticky,
non plastic to slightly plastic consistency; none to slightly calcareous with pH of
5.8 - 7.8; common rock fragments on the surface and dominant below the
surface horizons.
EC 0.04 to 0.12ms/cm, CEC 1.75 to 25.7 meq/100gm, BSP 46 to 90 %, OC 0.72

to 4.96 %, Organic Matter 1.2 to 8.6 %, Exchangeable calcium 0.40 to 10.24
meq/100g, Exchangeable magnesium 1.64 meq/100g, Exchangeable potassium
0.23 to 1.42 meq/100g, Exchangeable sodium 0.52 to 5.12 meq/100g, Available
Phosphorous 0.03 to 0.13 ppm, Available potassium 0.97 to 6.7 ppm, ESP 2.6 to
29.7 %.
The pH of the surface soil is less than 8.5 and ESP less than 15 that indicates
the absence of sodicity problem on the surface whereas below 25 cm depth the
ESP is greater than 15 % that shows the presence of sodicity. This can be solved
by increasing calcium content with the application of gypsum or super phosphate
which can over a period of one or two years by leaching replaces sodium in the
exchange complex and negates its effect or by cultivating sodicity tolerant crops.
the soil. The Ca : Mg ratio (6:1) indicates high. The K : Mg ratio (4:1) shows
recommended level. These soils occur with slope of 0-2 % on Shallo farm on the
road Awasa to Shashemene which covers 20.4 % of the total irrigable area. The
representative pits for this mapping unit is AP 01.
2.6 LAND EVALUATION FOR IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE.
Under this section, the general evaluation of land is presented. The evaluation is not
to the ultimate land use, not to go further beyond the limit and purpose of the project,
rather it is to highlight the potential suitability of the proposed irrigable area. Certain
criteria have been selected for the evaluation of each land-mapping units.
2.6.1 Land characteristic
Climate: Mean annual rainfall is about 960mm and 45% of the total precipitation is
expected in the humid period between end of June and end of September regardless
of other land characteristics. The amount of rainfall in this area is suitable for wide
range of crops to be cultivated once a year. The annual temperature is 19.2 0c. This
implies that with additional irrigation water it is possible to produce twice or three
times a year with the existing climate.
Topography: The slope of all the proposed irrigable area is almost flat to gently
slopping with mostly linear slope of less than 3% (but in some few areas it exceeds
3%). As long as the main cannel is designed on the relatively higher elevation to
convey the pumped water from the lake, the linear topography of the command area
is suitable for irrigated agriculture.
Texture: The soils of the project areas, in general, are fine to coarse in texture (Clay
to Sandy loam) with no significant variation in the whole area and gets coarser with
depth. Soils with such type of texture are suitable for mechanization and high
freedom of plant root penetration.
Drainage (= Oxygen availability and permeability): The external (related to slope)

and the internal (texture) drainage condition are generally good. The present level of
ground water is deep to very deep and is not most likely expected to rise and create
a problem of salinity / water logging under proper drainage system.
Rootability: Effective soil depth of all soils is moderately deep to deep even very
deep. The soils of the proposed irrigable areas are free of impervious layer up to
200cm.
Moisture availability: The soils of the potential irrigable area have moderate to
moderately rapid infiltration rate that have moderate to low moisture retention
capacity based on the soil texture, structure, porosity and organic matter content.
The moisture holding capacity and relatively high evapo-transpiration of the soils of
the area is optimum, suitable and marginally suitable to carry out surface irrigation
practice with properly scheduled irrigation interval/ frequency so that the efficiency
can be increased. Considering the project objective that is extracting high amount of
water from the lake to reduce its level, the soils are highly suitable in regard to high
amount of water consumption.
Nutrients status: Most soils of the irrigable area have sufficient plant nutrients in the
previous and present studies except low available phosphorous. They have medium
to high cation exchange capacity, base saturation and pH (moderately acidic to very
alkaline). Specifically Cambisols and Vertic Luvisol have base saturation greater than
hundred percent which indicates the possible existence of soluble salts. The organic
matter content of the soil is low to very high (1.2 - 8.6 %).
Though the soil pH is moderately acidic to very alkaline, it needs green manuring to
lower the acidity, which may restrict the availability of some other important plant
nutrients. The replacement of artificial fertilizer is highly essential by natural inputs.
Salinity and Sodicity: The electrical conductivity of the soils ranges from 0.02 - 0.4
and indicates the absence of salinity. The sodicity effects of the surface soils at the
potential area of the present rainfed agriculture are negligible except for the most
sensitive plants but below the surface, there is sodicity problem in almost all soil
types. The chemical analysis results of Awasa agricultural college horticultural farm
soil irrigated by water of lake Awasa for many years indicate that the exchangeable
sodium percentage (ESP) is > 15 % surface soils which implies the slight sodicity
effect of the soil and the water.
As soils of the potential area are medium to coarse texture, medium to high organic
matter, good permeability and by the establishment of good drainage structure from
the beginning this problem can be over come and will not be a limiting factor for the
future.
Soil erosion: The soils seem to be very susceptible to erosion in scattered or

no vegetation cover, which could be easily eroded. In order to avoid such risk
appropriate irrigation design is needed.
Land Clearing / Leveling: since the majority of the area is under cultivation no
clearing is needed rather leveling, is needed for irrigated agricultural practices in the
area where recently originated gully cuts and on slightly undulating areas.
Workability: The soils of the project area have good topsoil texture, suitable
structure, free of stones and boulders. They are easily workable with low machinery
or animal power under proper moisture condition. Based on the above land quality
(characteristics), the areas identified and delineated for irrigation agriculture having
suitable topography, good workability, no limitation of salinity / Sodicity and the like
with proper land and water management, the soils of the project area are suitable for
the production of wide range of crop varieties under irrigated agriculture. The key
issue here is stabilization of effective irrigation system and tillage practices
considering the medium to coarse textural topsoil, which might be liable to erosion.
2.6.2 Physical Tests
Four infiltration and hydraulic conductivity tests were carried out in potential irrigable
areas to determine the rate of flow of water in different soil types.
Table 2.6 Basic Infiltration rates (cm/hr)
Profile Soil UTM REP. REP REP. AVR. Suitability for

Code Type No.1 No.2 No.3 surface irrigation
North East
AP 01 AD 786481 444023 5.7 6.9 8.1 6.9 Marginally

suitable
AP 03 CM 785104 444844 5.1 2.7 4.2 4.0 Suitable
AP 04 CM 785114 434577 4.0 2.6 3.0 3.2 Optimum
AP 10 LVv 777382 443932 1.5 1.0 2.7 1.7 Optimum
Table 2.7 Cumulative infiltration rates (cm/hr)
Profile Soil Location REP. REP. REP. Average.

Code Type No.1 No.2 No.3
North East
AP01 AD 786481 444023 5.4 6.6 8.0 6.7
AP03 CM 785104 444844 5.3 3.5 3.3 4.0
AP04 CM 785114 434577 3.9 2.6 5.7 4.1
AP10 LVv 777382 443932 14.0 6.8 2.2 7.7
Table 2.8 Hydraulic conductivity for 20 cm depth of soil (cm/min)
Site Soil type Head Replicates Average

No.
R1 R2 R3 R
AP01 AD 5cm 0.4 0.7 0.8 0.6
10cm 1.8 2.1 2.7 2.2
AP03 CM 5cm 0.8 0.5 0.6 0.6
10cm 1.4 1.1 1.0 1.2
AP04 CM 5cm 0.2 0.5 0.4 0.4
10cm 0.4 0.8 1.0 0.7
AP10 LVv 5cm 0.3 0.3 0.25 0.1
10cm 3.0 0.5 1.6 0.2
Table 2.9 Hydraulic conductivity for 50 cm depth of soil (cm/min)
Site No. Soil Head Replicates Average

Type
R1 R R3 R
2
AL01 AD 5cm Saprolite saprolite saprolite saprolite
10cm Saprolite saprolite saprolite saprolite
AL03 CM 5cm 0.75 1.1 1.1 1.0
10cm 1.4 2.0 1.6 1.7
AL04 CM 5cm 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.7
10cm 1.6 1.4 1.5 1.5
AL10 LVv 5cm 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.3
10cm 0.6 0.6 0.8 0.8
Table 2.10 Average calculated field saturated hydraulic conductivity (cm/hr)
Depth Site no.

AP01 AP03 AP04 AP10
At depth 20cm 11.5 3.4 2.2 0.8
At depth 50cm Saprolite 2.4 6.1 1.8
Conductivity class* Rapid moderate moderate slow
* The conductivity classes are used for surface layer (20cm depth)
2.7 SOIL EROSION ASSESSMENT
Ethiopia is one of the countries in the world having worst record of soil erosion losing
annually more than 2 billion metric tone of soil. Erosion, transportation and
sedimentation are three closely related phases of a single activity in the area where
the vegetation cover is depleted. As a result, erosion removes fertile soils; create
gullies (surface dissection), which is big problem on farming activities and
accessibility. On the other hand, sedimentation creates a problem as a reduction of
reservoir capacity etc. These unwanted activities of up land erosion and lower basin
sedimentation have been visualized in Awasa lake basin. The natural vegetation
cover of the project area is destroyed or altered to a very alarming extent through
continuous uncontrolled human interference. The consequences are very clearly
observed in the area where the inclination/slope is greater than 3%. As removal of
soil particles by sheet, rill, gully, land slides, etc. results siltation in both lakes. The
specific Objectives of erosion study in lake Awasa catchment are:
 Establishment of erosion severity map based on intensive observation

of erosion phenomena.
 Estimating the amount of soil loss for each land unit map (map having
the same land form, land cover and soils)
 Determine specific land units, which contribute directly, or indirectly

siltation problem for the increment of the lake Awasa water level.
 Based on the erosion severity and the contribution of sediment to the

lakes set prioritization and recommendation for rehabilitation
To achieve the above mentioned specific objectives erosion survey was conducted
integrally with landform, land use / land cover, climate and soil type i.e.
 Land form:-which provides information like slope gradient, relief

intensity and slope forms.
 Land use/cover:- since the effect of vegetation cover on soil erosion is

great it was studied for the information about natural vegetation cover,
land use, land management and the likes.
 Soil type:- is one of the main factor to determine the intensity of soil loss
by erosion and the information like soil erodability (texture, structure),
soil depth, organic matter, infiltration and permeability (in general
drainage condition) can be obtained.
Prior to field survey, aerial photograph (1965 and 1975) interpretation has been
conducted to identify different types of erosion in the catchment per landforms.
A systematic erosion survey has been made for each landform identified to estimate
areas affected and degree of erosion hazard. As far as possible great effort has
been made to cover, the whole landforms and 17 observations were taken. From
severity point of view Erosion Severity Map was prepared at the scale of 1:50,000
(map-5).
2.7.1 Type, Degree and Distribution of Erosion
The types of erosion identified in the project area are active erosion induced by the
interference of human being on the natural environment. The types of erosion
identified are sheet, rill, gully and wind
i. Sheet erosion: Sheet erosion is one form of water caused erosion, which is
the uniform removal of soil from an area without noticeable water channels. It
is identified as thinning of the surface of the top, or exposed sub soil and
accumulates eroded soil material at foots lopes or on lower plain where the
slope gradient is relatively lower. This type of erosion is observed through out
the catchment (in all land forms) where vegetation cover is absent, sparse or
open.
Sheet erosion exists in almost all parts of the catchment with a relative extent
(percentage of affected area from the total land forms) with range of 10-50 %
and density of erosion features within the affected area ranging from 10-60 %
and its severity level is slight to severe.
ii. Rill erosion: Rill erosion refers to the removal of soils through the cutting of
numerous small water channels, which can be ploughed away and are
crossable for machinery. Rill erosion has slightly affected the plain, ridges,
medium and high gradient hills and escarpments of the catchment.
iii. Gully erosion: Gully erosion is the most noticeable form of water erosion,
which removes the soil by large channels or gullies caused by concentrated
runoff and cuts the surface. Gully erosion cannot be removed by ordinary
tillage practice.
This type of erosion is widespread in aerial extent severely in the escarpments of the
catchment with 10- 50% relative extent and 15m average spacing between gullies.
Moderate to severe gully erosion is observed on hillsides with a relative extent of 25-
50% and a density of 15m (average spacing between gullies). Some part of the plain
located in the western side of lake Awasa with relative extent 10-25 % and 100m
spacing is moderately affected by this kind of erosion. There are few but sever
gullies in the southern side of lake Awasa, which are too few to be mapped
separately. In all over the catchment gully erosion exists that no controlling measure
is taken. Stabilized gully is not observed they all are active.
iv. Wind erosion: Wind erosion is observed on the cultivated fields of the plain
especially after harvesting when no crop or vegetation cover is present in dry
weather in which fine soil particles are easily transported that favors and
aggravates wind erosion in the catchment.
Table 2.11 Type and degree of erosion
Land form Relative Absolute

Mapping Types Severity Extent Extent Density Activity Occurrence
Unit (%) (Ha)
LD None Nil - 8800 - Stabilized Range land

(Depression)
Gully Moderate 10-25 90-225 100m Active Cultivated
Sheet Moderate 10-25 40 % Active Cultivated
Cre Moderate 25-50 158-315 50 % Active Cultivated

(Elongated Sheet
ridges)
TE Gully Moderate 10-50 15m Active Range land+Forestland
(High gradient to
escarpment) extremely
severe
Sheet Moderate 10-50 882-4411 60 % Active Range land + Forestland
to
extremely
severe
Rill Moderate 10-25 20% Active Range land + Forestland
TH Gully Severe 25-50 4625-9250 15m Active Range land + Forestland

(High gradient
hill) Sheet Slight to 25-50 50% Active Range land + Forestland
Severe
SH Sheet Moderate 20-40 927-1854 10-60% Active Cropland + Range land + Forest
(Medium to Severe land
gradient hill)
SH/TH Sheet Slight to 10-25 2671-6678 35% Active Cropland + Range land + Forest
(Medium and moderate land
high gradient
hill)
PL None - - 23805-28566 - - -
(Plain) Gully Moderate 10-25 3052-7630 100m Active Cropland
Sheet Moderate 10-25 60% Active Cropland
LL 5-20 958-3830 15% Active Cropland
Plateau Sheet Slight to
moderate
CRP Cropland + Forestland
Rolling plain Sheet Moderate 25-50 1555-3110 30% Active
CRL Gully Moderate 10-25 819-4095 15% Active Cropland + Forestland

Rolling Sheet Severe 25-50 50% Active Cropland + Forestland
plateau
To estimate the amount of soil loss the study team used the universal soil loss equation
A = R x K x L x S x C x P, where,
A - Soil removed from certain area, tone/year/ha.

R - Rainfall intensity factor
K - Soil erodability factor
L - Slope length
S - Slope factor
C - Crop/land use factor
P - Cropland use management factor
The above formula is applied to calculate the soil removed from lake Awasa catchment
by using the unique map (map-6 - combination of land form, soils and land cover/land
use) information. After obtaining the results from the equation, verification or checking
has been carried out by overlapping the erosion severity map, which is prepared based
on existing erosion status observed in the field survey with the combined map.
Table 2.12 Soil loss (A) per land mapping units (L.M.U).
R K L S C P A S.L.T* HA %
L.M.U (T/HA/YR)
1. PL AD CF 480 0.38 1.78 0.12 0.54 0.60 2.73 11.20 6205 4.26
2. PL AD GS 480 0.38 1.78 0.12 0.04 1.00 0.36 11.20 1270 0.8
3. PL LVv CF 480 0.27 1.78 0.18 0.54 0.60 3.07 11.20 2590 1.7
4. PL CMv CF 480 0.38 1.78 0.18 0.40 0.60 3.14 11.20 5469 3.76
5. PL Cmv GO 480 0.38 1.78 0.18 0.01 0.60 0.09 11.20 998 0.69
6. PL CM CF 480 0.38 1.78 0.12 0.54 0.60 2.73 11.20 13478 9.3
7. PL Cmv FP 480 0.38 1.78 0.12 0.04 0.60 0.21 11.20 80 0.05
8.1. PL CM BWO 480 0.38 1.78 0.12 0.09 1.00 0.75 11.20 430 0.3
8.2. PL CM CF 480 0.38 1.78 0.12 0.49 0.60 2.47 11.20
9. LD GL GO 480 0.38 1.78 0.12 0.01 0.60 0.06 11.20 6980 4.79
10. LD CM CF 480 0.44 1.78 0.12 0.49 0.60 2.90 11.20 1900 1.3
11. LD CM BWO 480 0.44 1.78 0.12 0.09 1.00 0.88 11.20 475 0.33
12. LD CM GO 480 0.38 1.78 0.12 0.04 1.00 0.36 11.20 185 0.13
13. LL CM CF 480 0.38 1.57 0.18 0.49 0.60 3.41 11.20 3250 2.23
14.1 CRL(CM+AL) CF 480 0.32 1.57 0.26 0.49 0.50 3.49 11.20 8190 5.6
14.2 CRL(CM+AL) BS 480 0.32 2.13 2.21 0.20 1.00 32.81
15. CRP AL CF 480 0.32 2.60 0.45 0.49 0.54 10.13 11.20 6220 4.27
16.1 SH(CM+LP) CF 480 0.31 2.13 1.00 0.49 0.60 20.97 6.70 2500 1.72
16.2 SH (CM+LP)BWO 480 0.31 2.12 1.00 0.09 1.00 6.35 6.70
17. SH LP CF 480 0.31 1.50 0.84 0.49 0.50 10.43 2.20 1375 0.9
18. SH AL CF 480 0.32 2.13 1.00 0.49 0.60 21.84 6.70 600 0.4
19. SHLP SHO 480 0.32 1.50 1.00 0.13 1.00 6.83 2.20 140 0.09
20. SH LP BR 480 0.13 1.06 3.54 0.24 1.00 12.94 2.20 155 0.1
21.1 SH/TH AL CF 480 0.27 2.13 1.17 0.49 0.30 10.72 11.20 26710 18.3
21.2 SH/TH AL BWO 480 0.27 2.13 7.28 0.04 0.45 8.38 11.20
22. TH LP BWO 480 0.32 2.13 12.28 0.04 0.45 17.24 2.20 8140 5.59
23. TH LP BWO+GO 480 0.28 1.65 9.62 0.04 1.00 19.67 2.20 90 0.06
24. TH LP GO 480 0.32 2.13 9.62 0.04 1.00 30.72 2.20 560 0.38
25. TH LP BO 480 0.26 1.90 9.62 0.04 1.00 21.80 2.20 110 0.08
26. TH LP BR 480 0.13 1.65 9.62 0.15 1.00 33.20 2.20 25 0.02
27. TH Lpro BWD 480 0.32 2.60 7.28 0.01 1.00 7.28 2.20 8450 5.8
28. TH LP CF 480 0.26 1.50 5.26 0.49 0.45 49.52 4.50 230 0.16
29.1 CRe (LP+RG) CF 480 0.32 1.90 1.17 0.49 0.60 22.83 4.50 630 0.43
29.2 CRe(LP+RG)BS 480 0.32 1.90 1.17 0.24 0.60 11.18 4.50
30.1 TE(RG+LP)GO 480 0.35 2.13 12.28 0.15 1.00 147.81 2.20 4532 3.1
30.2 TE (RG+LP)BS 480 0.35 2.13 12.28 0.24 1.00 236.50 2.20
31. TE (RG+LP)BWO 480 0.31 2.13 12.28 0.09 1.00 77.96 4.50 2770 1.9
32. TE LP BO 480 0.32 2.13 12.28 0.08 1.00 75.73 2.20 1070 0.75
33.1 TE LP SHO 480 0.35 2.13 9.62 0.15 1.00 115.74 2.20 450 0.31
33.2 TE LP GO 480 0.35 2.13 9.62 0.24 1.00 185.19 2.20
34. SH (CM+LP) CF 480 0.35 2.60 0.84 0.49 0.50 20.32 4.50 760 0.52
35. LD GL CF 480 0.38 1.28 0.18 0.10 0.60 2.26 11.20 160 0.11
36. LL(CM+RG)CF 480 0.44 2.15 0.35 0.49 0.50 8.77 11.20 15900 10.9
* S.L.T --------- Soil Loss Tolerance that is the maximum rate of annual soil erosion that will permit a high level of
crop productivity economically and indefinitely.
Then the study team selected the mapping units, which have a direct or indirect
influence/ impact in contributing sediment load to lake Cheleleka and lake Awasa.
One should understand that the above values obtained (estimated) are collected
from the existing land situation but the erosion process under gone for at least the
last 30 years so that the results should be considered as maximum value of the
present time. Erosion and sedimentation are directly related to deterioration of
vegetation. On the other hand, vegetation depletion is directly related to the
population growth of the basin.
Runoff : As observed during the rainy season, high runoff enters to lake Awasa in
almost all directions by natural and artificial drainage ways. The main source is
Cheleleka via Tikure Wuha River in the northeast. In the northern part of Awasa,
runoff from hills and plains enter in to the lake. In the southern side, considerable
amount of runoff enters in to the lake as a big stream flow. The other high flow of
runoff is coming from Awasa town drainage.
2.8 DISCUSSION ON THE RESULTS
Land Use/Land Cover: To evaluate the effect of the land use and land cover
change on the expansion of lake Awasa comparison has been made between the
past and the present.
Interpretation of 1965 and 1975 aerial photographs and the existing land cover
observation in the field has shown that the land use land cover change is at a great
extent. Dense wood land and bushy woodland covered about 27995 ha in 1965 in
the project area which is now changed to open bush land, open grass land,
cultivated land and others by 70 % i.e. the remaining dense bushy woodland at
present is only 30 %.
Erosion: Because of land use/cover change, the process of severe erosion has
been observed on areas slope exceeding 5% slope. Extreme severe erosion is
observed on the escarpments and this process is still very active. The escarpments
found north of lake Cheleleka and on the road from Tikur Wuha village through
Wondo-Tika to Shamena village facing to lake Awasa are good examples.
All forms of erosion have been observed in the basin. The severity level is also
mapped in the erosion severity map. However, it doesn’t mean that all Erosion
Severity Mapping Units (ESMU) identified in the basin contributes sedimentation
directly or indirectly to the increment of Awasa lake water level.
Since the main water source of lake Awasa, Tikur Wuha River originate from lake
Cheleleka more emphasis is given to the lake Cheleleka sub-basin because of the
following reasons:
 The lake Cheleleka was covering 1180 ha in 1965 but presently it is

covered with tall grasses.
 The lake Cheleleka was deep previously but now it is estimated to be

about 2 - 3 meters (from the nature of the grasses grown on the lake).
 On the periphery of lake Awasa, adjacent to slopping areas grass cover

is observed. This indicates that sedimentation has taken place in lake
Awasa too.
The large part of dense woodland is changed to cultivated lands. As it is observed in

the aerial photo of 1965 the immediate surrounding of lake Awasa was covered with
dense wood land of 3880 ha but presently there are very few remnant big trees
which are being water logged. In the area between Toga village and hot spring (north
of lake Cheleleka) on the escarpment a very intensive clearing of trees and bushes
have been observed. The structural differences can be easily recognized by
comparing the two-land cover maps prepared from aerial photo 1965 and field
survey map of 1998.
2.9 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Conclusion: Landform, land use/land cover, erosion and soils survey results
indicate that the land use/land cover change has great contribution on the expansion
of lake Awasa.
 The land use/land cover change of the area contributed erosion and
runoff in a great extent.
 Most of the soils in the project area are very susceptible to erosion (high
erodability). The main reasons are weak to moderate structure (weak to
moderately attached soil aggregates) and medium to coarse (sandy
clay loam to loamy sand) texture in relation to the land cover change
(highly degraded) large amount of soil particles expected to be removed
from its original place and deposited somewhere else.
 The existing erosion phenomena observed in the project area is

alarming and favoured by slopping landforms where no conservation
practice is done.
 Even if the northeastern project area is relatively well covered with open
dense woodland that has high demand of firewood, charcoal and
construction material influenced by the two towns (Awasa and
Shashemene), which leads to ecological disturbance.
Finally, the sectoral study concludes that the possible factors for the increment of
lake Awasa is that the capacity of lake Cheleleka (the volume of lake Cheleleka to
hold water) reduced from time to time by the sediment deposit in the lake. The grass
cover on the lake Cheleleka is a good indication of sediment deposit in the lake from
the near by sloping areas which currently are much depleted in vegetation cover. As
the volume of lake Cheleleka is decreasing, the water expected to stay in the lake
will leave the original place and move to lake Awasa via Tikur Wuha River resulting
in the increment of Lake Awasa water level.
The main reasons for such erosion phenomena appeared in the basin are:
 Population growth; the increasing demand of fire wood, construction

materials and searching for farm land created alarming natural
vegetation depletion.
 The little awareness of the local population for conservation.
 Unclear land ownership policy on slopping lands
 No regional strategy (previously) concerning erosion and sediment

control
 Absence of sediment control on the Tikur Wuha river and the up stream
rivers
 Lack of extension service in the aspect of soil conservation.
As the consequence, the sediment load entering in both lakes from the highly
degraded slopping lands may have caused lake Awasa water level rise.
Recommendation: The following remedial measures are considered by the sectoral

study to control the lake level rise.
 Soil and water conservation program has to be established with high

consideration of technical feasibility and social acceptability.
 The land tenure system and the local people involvement (beneficiaries)
strongly have to be considered since these two factors play very
important role for the success or failure of the soil and water
conservation activities.
Generally, it is strongly recommended that great attention, follow up and supervision

should be given for the implementation of Wondo Guenet-Yanassie participatory
forest development project proposal existing in the Sidama zonal Agricultural Bureau
by the concerned administrative body and should be materialized as soon as
possible though very limited activity is carried out among the activities planed in the
proposal.

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CHAPTER II

LAND USE/LAND COVER AND SOILS

CHAPTER II LAND USE / LAND COVER AND SOIL STUDY

1. Land Use/Land Cover and Soil Study.................................................................................1

1.2 Land Forms of Lake Awasa Catchment...........................................................................2

1.3 Land Use/Land Cover of Lake Awasa Catchment............................................................4

1.4 Soil Classification and Soil mapping unit description.........................................................9

1.5 Soils of Potential Irrigable Areas in Lake Awasa Catchment............................................14

1.6 Land Evaluation For Irrigated Agriculture.......................................................................23

1.7 Soil Erosion Assessment...............................................................................................27

1.8 Discussion on the Results..............................................................................................30

1.9 Conclusion and Recommendation.................................................................................31

MAPS, FIGURES AND TABLES

Map -1 Land Form map of Lake Awasa Catchment scale 1:50,000

Map –4 Soils of Lake Awasa Catchment scale 1:50,000

Map -5 Erosion Hazard of Lake Awasa Catchment scale 1:50,000

Map –6 Combined Map of Land Form, Soils and Land Cover

Figure 2.1 Structural classifications for semi-natural vegetation

2. LAND USE/LAND COVER AND SOIL STUDY

The objectives of this sectoral study are: -

- To prepare erosion hazard map

2.2 LAND FORMS OF LAKE AWASA CATCHMENT

Table 2.1 Landforms of Lake Awasa Catchment.

NO. UNIT CODE LAND ORMS GRADIENT (%) RELIEF HA

2 LL Plateaux <8 <100m/km 19150 13.4

3 LD Depressions <8 <100m/km 9700 6.7

4 CRP Rolling plains <15 <600m/2km 6220 4.4

5 CRL Rolling plateaux <15 <600m/2km 8190 5.7

6 SH Medium 8-30 >25m/slope unit 4635 3.2

Source - SOTER, 1995

V. ROLLING PLATEAUX are also composite landforms that comprise plateau

2.3 LAND USE/LAND COVER OF LAKE AWASA CATCHMENT

2.3.1Classifications of Land Cover/land use

Fig 2.1 Structural Classifications for Semi-natural Vegetation

1965 1998 INCREAMENT DECREAMENT

Land cover ha % Land cover ha % % %

BO 470 0.3 BO 1110 0.7 136.2 -

2.4 Soil Classification and Soil mapping unit description

1.5 LL (RG+CM): Regosols and Cambisols developed on flat to undulating plateaux

1.6 LDCm: Cambisols developed on flat to undulating depressions with a relief

1.7 LDGL: Gleysols developed on flat to undulating depressions with a relief

1.12 SH (LP+CM): Leptosols and Cambisols developed on medium gradient hills.

1.19 TE(Lp+Rg): Leptosols and Regosols developed on high gradient escarpment

Table 2.4 Coverage of each soil-mapping units in Lake Awasa Catchment

NO. DOMINANT SOILS MAPPING ha. % of the total

2.5 SOILS OF POTENTIAL IRRIGABLE AREAS IN LAKE AWASA CATCHMENT

2.5.1 Previous Studies

2.5.2 Present study

 A total of 79 auger hole observations were made to a depth of 120cm. Soil

 Permeability (hydraulic conductivity) was also measured in the same representative

2.5.3 Soil characteristics

 Exchangeable Magnesium (Mg) the value of exchangeable magnesium ranges from

Table 2.5 Physical and Chemical analysis of soils

Table 2.5 cont...

# Pits on potential irrigable areas.

 Exchangeable potassium (K) the values of exchangeable K in the study area

 Exchangeable sodium (Na) the value of exchangeable sodium ranges from

 Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) is exchangeable sodium divided by

 Calcium carbonate equivalent of > 15 % is used in the F.A.O definition of a calcic

The Ca : Mg ratio (2.8:1) indicates Mg is medium. The K : Mg ratio (0.4:1) shows

EC 0.04 to 0.12ms/cm, CEC 1.75 to 25.7 meq/100gm, BSP 46 to 90 %, OC 0.72

2.6 LAND EVALUATION FOR IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE.

2.6.1 Land characteristic