Mehari Hiben

 Chirkos, Wereda 21, Kebele 11 House No 256, To

Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
 (+251) 966223562 Mr. Moges G/her
 hiben123@gmail.com
Tigray Bureau of Water and Energy
 Whatsapp: +251966223562
Near Tigray Health Bureau , Mekelle,
Ethiopia

Mekelle, 26/11/2023

Subject: Abstract on Tigray Water Issues

Abstract

Background: In Tigray, the traditional and common methods of studying and designing
water resource projects have resulted in issues with canal maintenance, gate operation,
irrigation water delivery capacity, management gaps (i.e., water delivery scheduling and water
fee collection rates), water scarcity, poor water management, siltation, flooding, and erosion.
The purpose of the study is to identify determinants of the adoption of new technologies and
approaches away from BAU (business as usual), with the specific objectives of assessing the
hydraulic performance and design quality of community-managed irrigation water
distribution systems for sustainable water management. Therefore, this study was done to
identify and understand the current level of irrigation performance of the selected case
studies
Methods: The case study projects' data were utilized in the investigation. Descriptive and
econometric analytical tools were applied. The indicators of adequacy, efficiency,
dependability, deficiency, and equity were used to determine hydraulic performance. Primary
data were collected through flow measurement using a current meter and Parshall flume, a
transect walk, household surveys, and group discussions, whereas secondary data were
collected from different sources. CROPWAT 8.0, SPSS, Microsoft Excel, and GIS software were
used to analyze the data. Discharge measurement is relevant data for the evaluation of
scheme performance indicators, such as the determination of delivery performance
indicators, which are based on required flows (QR) and actual water delivered (QD). A
synthetic propeller-type current meter and a three-inch Parshall flume were used for
discharge measurement at field offtakes. Water delivery indicators were evaluated based on
the amounts of water that were applied and those that should have been applied.
Results: According to the results of the study, the values of adequacy, dependability,
efficiency, deficiency, and equity were found to be 74%, 26%, 61%, 37%, and 29%,
respectively. Beneficiary participation in the irrigation scheme was very low in canal clearing
and regular maintenance. Weeds and soil covered the majority of tertiary canals. The reason
was that the WUA’s organizational structure, function, and legal enforcement of bylaws were
weak. This is also attributed to illegal water abstractions and unfair water distributions in the
irrigation scheme. Generally, the performance of the irrigation system is poor. It mainly
resulted from water scarcity, illegal water abstraction, sedimentation of canals, and
inadequate operation and maintenance provisions.
Conclusions: Providing water storage structures and enhancing the diversion capacity of the
scheme might be vital for improving an adequate and reliable supply of irrigation water. The
hydraulic characteristics of flow control structures at off-take play a vital role in water
distribution and delivery. Therefore, the installation of proportional division structures at off-
takes will improve water delivery equity. Therefore, adequate maintenance and suitable
management approaches are required to improve the irrigation system's performance. In
water-scarce situations, improving the performance of water delivery systems can offer an
opportunity to realize field-level water savings.

Keywords: BAU, Hydraulic performance, water delivery indicators, Surface irrigation

Kind regards

Mehari Hiben (P.hD., PEng)