University of Gondar

Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

River Basin Development

By Alemu Tezera

1
University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

 Introduction
 Definition
 River basin development

River Basin Development By Alemu Tezera 2

University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

A river basin is a network of connected ecosystems which is shared by different

communities and water users.

A watershed is also referred to as a catchment basin, which can be regarded as a system as

it has a well-defined boundary and its elements show clear relationships both structurally
(in terms of morphology) and functionally (by virtue of the flow of matter and energy).

The inputs and outputs across the system boundary can also be clearly distinguished.

River Basin Development By Alemu Tezera 3

University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

Catchment basin system

River Basin Development By Alemu Tezera 4
University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

The drainage area is an important watershed characteristic for hydrologic planning and
design because it contains the volume of water generated from rainfall.

River Basin Development Major watersheds across national boundaries By Alemu Tezera 5
University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

Watershed length is defined as the distance measured from the watershed outlet to the
farthest point on the basin divide. The length is usually a measure of the travel time of
water through the watershed.
Watershed slope is an important factor in the momentum of runoff and flood magnitude.
It is the rate of change of elevation with respect to distance along the principal flow path.
The path is divided into reaches, and the river slope in different reaches may be required
for computing the reach travel time.

Watersheds have an infinite variety of shapes, and parameters that reflect the basin shape
are used in hydrologic planning and design.

Soil texture refers to the size of mineral particles in different size categories. On the base
of mean diameter (d), particles of soil can be separated into four classes:

River Basin Development By Alemu Tezera 6

University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

Gravel, d ≤ 2 mm
Sand, 0.02≤ d ≤ 2 mm
Silt, 0.002 ≤ d ≤ 0.02 mm
Clay, d ≤ 0.002 mm
Water-holding characteristics and the infiltration capacity of the soil can be determined
by the soil texture.

Soil structure refers to the tendency of the soil particles to aggregate into lump and clods.
The hydrologic response of the watershed, soil moisture, and water movement through
the column of soil can be affected by the structure of the soil.

The water in the unsaturated zone of soil is referred to as soil moisture and is acted upon
by gravitation, surface tension, and molecular forces
River Basin Development By Alemu Tezera 7
University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

Data requirements
Water resources planning and management requires basin climatic and hydrologic data.
Data gathered from gauging stations can be used to determine stream flows and estimate
interflows.

In modeling river basins, a correct estimate of the water budget and the spatiotemporal
distribution of data is a key factor. Data accuracy and considering the physical and
hydrological characteristics of the watershed is essential to integrated water resources
planning of that system.

Watershed and river geomorphology is a basic piece of data necessary for river basin
planning and management. These characteristics are important for determination of the
volume of water that can be generated from precipitation.

River Basin Development By Alemu Tezera 8

University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

Drainage area, watershed length, watershed slope, watershed shape, surface roughness, soil
characteristics, and land cover of the river basin are the most important physical
characteristics of watershed that should be estimated before undertaking the river basin
planning process.

Besides that, river geomorphology is frequently used in hydrologic computations. The

major physical characteristics of rivers or watershed channels are:
 Length, slope, cross-sections, roughness and form of rivers
Hydrologic characteristics of watersheds reflect the volume of discharge hydrograph
produced by a specific rainfall hyetograph.
Time of concentration, Lag time and Storage coefficient

River Basin Development By Alemu Tezera 9

University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

Determination of demand points and the time series of demand at each point is an important
step in river basin planning. Water allocation models require demand quantity, along with
demand point characteristics such as distance from resources, elevation, and topographic
condition.

A control point is a section that experiences a considerable change in discharge or a point of

the river that has a withdrawal tributary and a monitoring or gauging station.

Critical points require more attention in river basin planning and management. Important
structures, protected areas, and demand points that must have water of a known quantity
and/or quality at an acceptable reliability level are some examples of critical points. Critical
points must be determined before the planning phase because they could have considerable
effects on planning alternatives such as for flood control or upstream reservoir operation.

River Basin Development By Alemu Tezera 10

University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

Qualitative characteristics of water are important for water resources planning and
management. Water quality is evaluated in terms of its physical, chemical, and
microbiological properties. For example, most standards control the turbidity, odor, color,
taste, and microbiological characteristics of drinking water.

River Basin Development By Alemu Tezera 11

University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

River basin development can involve streamflow modification by dams, barrages or

channelization; intrabasin and interbasin transfers of water and must be coordinated with
watershed and groundwater management.

The combination of climate change, population growth, economic development and the
expansion of irrigated areas means it is becoming increasingly more difficult to manage
shared rivers without a collaborative and adaptive approach.

River Basin Development By Alemu Tezera 12

University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

Successful river basin development involves a holistic approach which encourages

cooperation among a diverse group of stakeholders in the utilization of river resources.

Site selection at the basin-scale ensures the optimal use of natural resources, supporting
water supply, energy and agricultural uses. This minimizes impacts, protects the
environment and improves livelihoods.

When selecting a site for a hydropower project, decision-makers should examine the entire
river basin. This involves considering how to maximize energy generation alongside the
environmental, social and economic outcomes for all users.

River Basin Development By Alemu Tezera 13

University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

Multipurpose river basin development and management typically involves the identification
and use of both structural and non-structural measures designed to increase the reliability of
municipal, industrial and agriculture water supplies when and where demanded, to protect
against floods, to improve water quality, to provide for commercial navigation and
recreation, and to produce hydropower, as appropriate for the particular river basin.

River Basin Development By Alemu Tezera 14

University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

Structural measures may include diversion canals, reservoirs, hydropower plants, levees,
flood proofing, irrigation delivery and drainage systems, navigation locks, recreational
facilities, groundwater wells, and water and wastewater treatment plants along with their
distribution and collection systems.

River Basin Development By Alemu Tezera 15

University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

Non-structural measures may include land use controls and zoning, flood warning and
evacuation measures, and economic incentives that affect human behavior with regard to
water and watershed use.

River Basin Development By Alemu Tezera 16

 Study area description

Ha Tinh province is found in North-

central Vietnam.

Area: 1445 m.

Ke Go reservoir

Nghen , Gia Hoi , Cay and Rao Cai

rivers

Ke Go reservoir

Figure1 Rao Cai River Basin in Vietnam

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Flood inundation maps Flood inundation map for 50 years return period CHs
without Ke Go reservoir releases
 VAWR: 5.93m water level in Rao Cai which
corresponds to 50 years RP.

 Nghen: schools and Health centers>3m

 58 communes were deeply inundated,

20,077 households affected

Figure 16 Flood map for 50 years RP

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 Flood inundation map for 100 years of return
period CHs without Ke Go reservoir releases
 50 years to 100 years return period
>2meters: 9m2

 Flood depth increment is more pronounced

than flood area

Figure 17 Flood map for 100 years RP

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University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

Planning the development and management of water resource systems involves identifying
just what, when and where structural or non-structural measures are needed, the extent to
which they are needed, and their combined economic, environmental, ecological and social
impacts.

River Basin Development By Alemu Tezera 20

University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

River Basin Development By Alemu Tezera 21

University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

It is much more than water resources development, seeking to integrate three interrelated,
but separately evolved concepts:
1.Multi-purpose development;
2. An integrative role for the drainage basin unit;
3.The acceptance of intervention to promote development (typically seen to be
improvement of social welfare or regional conditions).

River Basin Development By Alemu Tezera 22

University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

The main water resources problems in Ethiopia according to EMWR:

uneven spatial and temporal occurrence and distribution

Between 80-90% of Ethiopia's water resources are found in the four river basins namely,
Abay (Blue Nile), Tekeze, Baro Akobo, and Omo Gibe in the west and south-western part
of Ethiopia where the population size is not more than 30 to 40 per cents.

However, the water resources available in the east and central river basins is only 10 to 20
per cents whereas the population size in these basins is over 60 per cents.

An erratic annual rainfall

River Basin Development By Alemu Tezera 23

University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

In order to alleviate these problems on different water users sustainable and reliable
development and proper uses of water resources are necessary.

The lack of a comprehensive water resources management policy in Ethiopia have so far
caused adverse impacts among which the following stand out as significant:-
The lack of a sustainable and reliable water resources management strategy
Lack of efficient utilization of water resources
Prevalence of unrealistic and unattainable plans and programs
Non-objective oriented programs and projects
Uncertainties and ambiguities in planning

River Basin Development By Alemu Tezera 24

University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

Prevalence of intensive centralism of management that does not focus on rural

development.
Lack of institutional sustainability
Lack of operation and maintenance activities of water schemes
Adhoc development practices lacking coherent objectives and continuity

River Basin Development By Alemu Tezera 25

University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

How do we tackle this problem?

River Basin Development By Alemu Tezera 26
University of Gondar
Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

Agreement on Nile River

1929: Egypt and Great Britain (repr. Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda)
no works to be undertaken on the Nile, tributaries and lakes which would reduce the
volume of the Nile water reaching Egypt
Egypt has the right of inspecting the implementation of projects
1959: Egypt and Sudan
construction of High Aswan Dam (Lake Nasser) and Roseiras (Sudan)
allocation: 55.5 BCM to Egypt and 18.5 BCM to Sudan
additional water (by projects, climate change, etc.) to be shared equally between the
two countries

Look at these nonsense and rubbish agreements they had!

River Basin Development By Alemu Tezera 27