Abbay Basin Booklet, 2016

THE FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA
The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Abbay Basin Authority
ABBAY BASIN AUTHORITY
The Great Ethiopian

Rennaisance Dam
The Magnificent Dedesa River
The Breathtaking
Tisisat Fall
Lake Tana
June 2016 1
MISSION
To contribute for overall sustainable development in the basin by ensur-
ing integrated, participatory, equitable and sustainable water resource
management, by Creating favorable conditions for the better protection
& conservation of the ecosystem, and through knowledge building &
being the center of information.
VISSION
To see the socio-economic welfare of the people as a result of the inte-
grated development & sustainable management of the water, land and
other related resources of the Basin.
VALUES
ü Cooperation and Integration
ü Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development
ü Effectiveness
ü Detest Corruption
ü Continuous learning
ü Balanced and equitable approach
ü Customer satisfaction
ü Enhancing the Role of Women
1. Introduction
Ethiopia is endowed with ample natural resources, and water appears to be
second to none in abundance among the resources available in the country. In
fact, it is not uncommon to hear that the country is repeatedly being referred
as the ‘water roof of East Africa’. Being blessed with this resource, Ethiopia is
exerting an enormous effort in exploiting the huge water resources which can be
geared towards injecting the fast paced economic growth that is being registered
in the country these days.
The framework for exploiting the water resources has been set up by formulating
a water policy that lays the foundation for implementing Integrated Water
Resource Management. Indeed, it has been a while since the country’s water
policy was formulated and become effective to enable the country exploit
and manage efficiently the surface and ground water resources at large. The
water policy deems basins as fundamental planning units and water resource
management domains.
The country is hydrologically divided into 12 major river basins. 8 are river
basins, 1 lakes basin, and the remaining 3 are dry basins. Among these river
basins, Abay, Baro-akobo, Omo and Tekeze encompass 80-90% of the country’s
total surface water resource. Abay river basin is the most significant and the
second largest basin in the country.
This booklet is meant for providing information about the entire feature of Abay
River Basin. It gives a good account of the overall aspects of the river basin. It
provides stakeholders and partners with information about topography and land
cover, climate, Irrigation and hydropower potential and other relevant aspects of
the river basin and the organization.
1
Annual
Name of the Catchment
No. Runoff (per Terminus
Basin Area (km²)
BM3)
.1 Abay 199,812 54.5 Mediterranean
2 Wabi- shebele 202,220 3.4 Indian Ocean
3 Genale-dawa 172,259 6 Indian Ocean

Within the
4 Awash 110,000 4.9
Country
5 Tekeze 82,350 8.2 Mediterranean
6 Baro-Akobo 75,912 23.23 Mediterranean
7 Omo-gibe 79,000 16.6 Lake Turkana
8 Ogaden 77,120 0 -
Within the
9 Denkele 64,380 0.86
Country
10 Rift Valley Lakes 52,000 5.3 Chew Bahir
11 Mereb 5,900 0.72 Sudanese wetland
12 Ayisha 2,223 0 -
Source: Basin Master Plan & Survey Studies
2
Figure 1: Map of Ethiopia’s 12 River Basins
2. Overview of Abay River Basin

A River basin is the portion of land drained by a river and its tributaries. It
encompasses all area of the land surface dissected and drained by many streams
and creeks that flow downhill into one another, and eventually into one river.
The Abbay river basin which is of a strategic importance to Ethiopia is located

in the north western part of Ethiopia between 70 40’ N and 120 51’ N latitude,
and 340 25’ E and 390 49’ E longitude. The river basin is the second largest in
3
area coverage (199,812 km2) and the largest in annual runoff (54.5 BM3). The
basin occupies 20% of the country’s total surface area and it covers an area of
60% of Amhara, 40% of Oromiya and 95% of Benishangul-Gumuz regional
states. The basin is subdivided into 16 sub basins based on the major rivers in
the basin. The Abbay river is also of a crucial importance to the lower riparian
countries, Sudan and Egypt since it contributes about 62% of the total flow in
the Nile river.
The river’s annual discharge at the Sudanese border is 49 billion m3. It reaches
54.5 billion m3 annual discharge after crossing the Sudanese border when it is
joined by Dinder, Gelego and Rihad, its tributaries from the north-western part
of Ethiopia. These tributaries join Abay River in Sudan.
Abay river basin accounts for half of the total annual discharge of the country
and 62% of the total discharge that drains into Aswan dam in Egypt. Here, one
can perceive the national as well as the international prominence of the river
basin.
About 28% of the entire population of the country dwell in the basin. Since
91% of the population in the basin resides in the countryside, their economy is
entirely dependent on agriculture.
60% of the total land of the basin which is about 119,887 km2 is suitable
for agriculture, and 2.5 million hectare of this arable land can be developed
through medium and large scale irrigation schemes. Feasibility study has been
completed for about 526,000 hectare of land out of the aforementioned arable
land. According to the master plan, only less than 2% of the potential of the river
has been exploited.
4
Three basic strategies have been designed that enable the country to exploit and
use the natural resources, particularly water resources of the river basin, and in
turn, ensure the improvement of the people’s living standard. The basic long
term strategies are:
1. Expansion of agriculture in the lowland where fertile soils are still

“available”. However, several constraints need to be overcome: diseases,
lack of social and physical infrastructure, problems related to trans-regional
migration, etc. This strategy will not increase the revenue of small holders,
not contribute to the overall economic development in the basin or improve
the food security situation. It will only provide a “breathing space”.
2. Agricultural intensification - This strategy is based on an improvement of

the productivity of land in rain fed agriculture (improved supply of inputs,
integrated pest management, modern farming techniques, accessibility
to credit, animal health services, etc…). This strategy faces a number of
constraints, primarily the lack of market outlets: the basin has no competitive
advantage for grain exports and the urban population, although increasing,
will not be high enough to absorb the rural food surplus.
3. Economic diversification and urbanisation – This is the main strategy

proposed to create alternative employment and livelihoods in order to
absorb the fast growing population and to relieve the pressure on the land.
It implies an active urban policy and requires huge investments in social
services and infrastructure as well as in industrialization. Cheap available
labour is a key advantage. Diversification is thus closely linked to the
strategy of agricultural intensification and commercialisation.
5
Figure 2: Map of the 16 sub – basins of Abay River Basin
3. Climate
The climate of Abbay varies from cool highland to tropical type climates. The
climate in the basin is dominated by two main factors: the near-equatorial
location, and the altitude, from about 470 m to more than 4,260m above sea
level. The influence of these factors determine a rich variety of local climates,
ranging from hot and nearly desert along the Sudan border to temperate on the
high plateau or even cold on the mountain peaks.
6
Generally rainfall ranges between about 787 mm and 2200 mm per year; the
lowest rainfall recorded less than 1000 mm per annum in the Beshelo, Welaka,
Jemma, Muger, Guder, and parts of Dinder and Rahad.
The highest temperature is observed in the north western part of the basin, in
parts of Rihad, Dinder, Beles and Dabus, the maximum temperature being 280C
- 380C and minimum temperature 150C - 200C. Lower temperature observed
in the highlands of Ethiopia in the central and eastern part of the basin. The
maximum and minimum temperature ranges from 120C - 200C and -1oC to
8oC respectively.
Figure 3: Rainfall amount distribution in the basin
7
4. Topography and Land Cover
The topography of the Abbay basin signifies two distinct features; the highlands,
rugged mountainous areas in the center and eastern part of the basin and the
lowlands in the western part of the basin. The topography of the basin ranges
from about the lowest 470 amsl to the highest elevation about 4260 amsl. 60%
of the topography of the basin which ranges from 1500 to 4000 on average is
highland. The remaining 40% is lowland. 64% of the total land of the basin has
a slope of 0-15% while the remaining 36% has greater than 15%.
It is obvious that much of the land in the basin is arable. The following chart
shows percentage of the land coverage.
Land cover in the basin
8
Figure 4: Topographic map of the basin
5. Irrigation Development in the Basin
According to the master plan, out of the total arable land of the basin, 2.5 million
hectare of land can be developed through medium and large scale irrigation
schemes. Indeed, Feasibility study has been completed for about 526,000
hectare of land. The study covered 93 irrigation channels and 10 sub basins.
9
Figure 5 : Major irrigation potential sites of the Abbay basin
28% & 23% of the total irrigable land in the basin can be developed by Beles
sub basin and Tana sub basin respectively. Apart from this, 13% & 11% of the
irrigable land can be developed by Dedessa sub basin and North Gojam sub
basin respectively. The remaining 25% of the river basin’s irrigable land can be
developed by the other sub basins.
10
Hectare of
Type of crop to
No. Project land to be Remark
be cultivated
irrigated
1 Fincha 20,000 Sugar cane Under development
2 Koga 7,004 A variety of crops Under development
3 Beles river 75,000 Sugar cane & Under development

Under construction
4 Dedesa 80,000 A variety of crops
5 Rib 14,460 Sugar cane Under construction
Megech/Seraba Under construction

6 5,250 A variety of crops
pump/
7 Megech/Robit/ >17,000 A variety of crops Under construction
8 Jemma 11,615 A variety of crops Under design

Under design
9 Gigel Abay 9,980 A variety of crops
10 Anger 18,000 A variety of crops Under design
11 Dabus 9,661 A variety of crops Under design
12 Gumara 16, 771 A variety of crops Under design

13 Upper Gudar 6,282 A variety of crops Under design
6. Hydropower Generation Potential in the Basin
It is obvious that Ethiopia has huge water resources which can be exploited
to contribute for the rapid economic growth being registered in the country
11
nowadays. Ethiopia’s hydroelectric power generation potential is about 45,000

MW. Out of the aforementioned hydroelectric potential,
Abay river basin has the potential to generate 17,000MW which accounts
for 38% of the country’s total hydropower generation potential. Thus, this
hydropower potential is enough for Ethiopia’s electricity needs and for exporting
to neighboring countries.
As identified in the Master Plan, there are 33 potential Hydropower sites in

the basin; of which some of them are very promising and some of these are
multipurpose, in combination with irrigation schemes.
Figure 6: Major hydropower potentials of the basin
12
Hydropower generation projects in the basin
Generation
No. Project Remark
Capacity
1 Tana - Beles 460 In operation

2 Fincha 134 In operation
3 Amertineshe 97 In operation
4 Tis Abay No1&2 85 In operation
5 Hidase 6,000 Under construction
6 Chemoga Yeda - The study has been completed
7 Beko-Abo - Under study
8 Keradobi - Under study
9 Mendaya - Under study
7. Natural Resources within the basin
Fishery Potential
The Abbay River basin comprises different water - bodies which are presently
exploited and / or which are possible grounds for future sustainable fisheries
activities. According to studies conducted, 18,200 tons of fish can be produced
on the surface water available in the basin. Out of the given figure, 15,000 tons
of fish can be obtained from Lake Tana and 2,750 tons of fish can be produced
from Fincha dam. It is indicated in the studies that more than 450 tons of fish can
be produced by the dam projects under construction.
13
Mineral Resources in the River Basin

Metal and non metal minerals are abundant in the river basin. Among metallic
minerals available in the basin, gold is the most prominent one. Apart from this,
according to mineralogy studies conducted on the river basin, copper, nickel,
lead, zinc, chromium and cobalt mineral ores are found in the western part of
the river basin. Non-metallic minerals like limestone, marble, gypsum and silica
are available in the river basin.
Surface Water Resources
Lake Tana
Lake Tana which is the largest Lake in Ethiopia is found in the North Western
part of Ethiopia. It stands third in among lakes found in the Nile River riparian
countries. It is located on an average altitude of 1,987m and its size is about
3100km2. It measures 84 km from North to South and 66km from East to West.
About four perennial rivers, 40 ephemeral small rivers, and streams flow to lake
Tana. Gigel Abay, Megech, Rib and Gumara are some of the most prominent
rivers that flow to Lake Tana. 95% of the total annual flow to the lake is originally
from the aforementioned rivers. River Abbay is the only water body that flows
out of the Lake.
Lake Tana has been deemed to be one of the 250 ecologically conducive lakes
found in the world taking into account its favorable ecosystem for a variety of
fish species.
Apparently, 28 fish species and one sub-species are found in the lake. Out of the
given fish species, 20 fish species are only found in Ethiopia and 18 fish species
are typical to Lake Tana.
14
Except the area found in the North Eastern part of the Lake, the rest part of
the lake is surrounded by wetlands. No wetland in the country is comparable
with those wetlands surrounding Lake Tana. They are the largest wetlands in
the nation. These wetlands play pivotal role in keeping the balance of the lake’s
ecology. Swamps and streams originate in this wetland area and during the rainy
season, they join the lake. The wetlands are prominent for the fish, birds and
mammals which dwell in the lake.
15
Figure 7: Map of Location of Lake Tana
Apart from its multi-faceted significance as a water body, it is known for being a
major tourist destination in the country. There are about 30 small islands. Some
of the islands shelter ancient monasteries which are considered to be some of the
major tourist attraction sites in the river basin. To name some of the monasteries;
kibiran Gebriel, Ura kidane mihiret, narga Silassie, Daga Estifanos and Tana
Cherkos are the most significant. In general, the islands in the lake, apart from
their magnificent scene, they are popular for coffins holding mummified remains
of Ethiopian emperors and sacred religious books.
16
Abay River
According to surveys conducted on

Abay, the origin of Abay River is an
area that is found near a mountain of
an altitude of 2,744m which is situated
in Gish Abay, Sekela Wereda, West
Gojam Zone. Through its course,
different streams and rivers join and
they altogether become known as
Gilgel Abay. Gilgel Abay flows in the
North direction and joins Lake Tana.
Abay leaves Lake Tana, and it sets its
journey to Sudan.
Abay River runs about 1450km

from its origin in Ethiopia up to
its confluence in Sudan. The river
generally flows South from Lake
Tana and west across Ethiopia and
north west into Sudan. Within 30km
upon leaving Lake Tana, the river
enters a canyon, and then achieves
its magnificent feature, i.e. the
breathtaking Tisisat fall.
17
A number of tributaries join Abbay

River both from the left side and the
right side. Beshilo, Jemma, Muger,
Guder, Dedessa, and Dabus are
among the tributaries that join Abbay
River on the left bank. On the other
hand, Andasa, Abaya, Sede, Gula,
Temcha, Chemoga, and Beles are the
tributaries that join Abay on the right
bank. Apart from this, Dinder, Gelago
and Rahad which are originally from
Ethiopia join Abay in Sudan
Figure 8: Tributaries of Abbay River
18
Megech River
This river is one of the major

tributaries of Lake Tana. It originates
from an area found in North Gondar
and flows towards South and joins
Lake Tana. Its major tributaries are
Dimaza, Angereb, and Keha.
There is irrigation dam under

construction on River Megech.
When the irrigation Dam project is
completed, it is estimated that it will
develop an area of about 17,200 ha
land.
Rib River
River Rib originates from an area

around Guna Mountain in south
Gondar Zone. Rib flows towards
the West and crosses Libo kemkem
Woreda and joins Lake Tana.
There is irrigation dam project on

progress that is estimated to develop
about 14,460 ha of land.
19
Beshilo River
River Beshilo is known for flowing

through deep gorges and canyons.
Beshilo River originates from an area
named Kutaber which is found in
South Wollo Zone. It flows towards
North west and after a certain
kilometer turns South west and joins
Abay River. Checheho and Wallano
are its main tributaries.
Jemma River
Situated in central Ethiopia, It is one

of the tributaries that joins River
Abay on the right bank. This river
is known for being trans-regional. It
flows in areas found in the two North
Shewa Zones - the two North Shewa
Zones of Oromiya and Amhara
Regional States. When the river
begins its journey, it flows relatively
on a plain, gradually, down to deep
gorges and joins Abay River. Wonchit
is a tributary to this river.
20
Muger River
Muger River joins Abay in the north

direction. Muger flows through a
deep gorge. According to ancient
writings, Muger River marked the
border between Damat Kingdom and
Selale Province.
Guder River
This river is situated in West Showa

Zone in the Oromiya Regional State.
It joins Abay River on the right bank.
Dabissa and Taranta are its main
tributaries.
21
Dedessa River
Dedessa River originates from an area

around Gomma Mountain in Jimma
Zone. It flows towards the North West
and joins Abay River. This river flows
through Jimma, Elu Ababora, West
Wolega and East Wolega zones. It
also crosses Kamashe which found in
Benshangul Gumuz Regional State.
Tributaries like Enarya, Wamma,
and Anger join DedeSSa on the right
bank whereas Dolana joins on the left
bank.
Beles River
Beles River which is one of the biggest

tributaries of Abay River originates
from a place named Alefa situated in
the North Gondar zone. Beles covers
West Gojam, North Gojam and Awi
zones in Amahara regional state.
Besides, it covers Metekel Zone in
Benshangul Gumuz Regional State.
The river flows towards South west
and joins Abay.
22
Dabus River
Dabus River is situated in Assosa Zone in

Benshangul Gumuz Regional State. Dabus serves
as a boundary between Benshangul Gumuz and
Oromiya Regional States. It also serves as a
boundary between Assosa and Kemashe zones
in the Benshagul Gumuz Regional State. It is
believed that gold is abundant in this river.
Tourism in the Abbay River Basin

The north of the basin offers some of the major tourist attractions of the country:
Bahir Dar and Lake Tana, Tississat-Blue Nile Falls, Gondar and its historical
sites.
Taking the western Gojam road from Addis Ababa to Debre Markos, the Blue
Nile Gorge at the level of the bridge linking Shewa and Gojam is a site of high
interest. Debre Markos is itself a site which could offer some interest and service
to tourists travelling in the area as well as Debre Libanos in the South-East of
the basin.
23
In the South, mainly the region of Jimma is a noticeable international attraction

being home of Ethiopian coffee (Kaffa area).
Ambo is a recreation area for Addis Ababa at a 125 Km distance (a new hotel
exists in Guder), and Debre Birhan, to the East, is a potential one.
Guder waterfall
Nekemte, capital of East Wellega, is

a marketing coffee centre which has
local interest places to visit : Museum
of Culture, old palace, falls on the
Didesa River (Bereda and Anger).
The wildlife-rich Didesa River valley

and Bambasi-Asosa territory are
tourist attraction areas found in the
basin.
24
Kumsa Moreda Palace – Nekemet Yayut UNESCO Rgistered Natural Forest
Other potential tourist sites in the river basin are found in Beles and Dabus Sub
basins. Though tourism is not well-developed in this part of the river basin, a
variety of tourist destinations will emerge in the future. Natural, historical and
cultural heritages are abundant in this part of the river basin. Chain landscapes,
caves and other man made features can be a tourist destination. To mention one,
The Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam would be a huge tourist attraction in the
near future.
Tourist attraction sites in Dabus and Beles sub basins
25
9. Powers and Duties of High Council
1. Provide policy guidance and planning oversight to ensure high level of

coordination among stakeholders for the implementation of integrated
water resources management in the basin;
2. Direct the preparation of the river basin plan and submit same for approval
by the Government;
3. Propose to the Government the rate of the water charges to be paid by water
users in the basin;
4. Examine and decide on the appropriateness and prioritization of constructing

major water works in the basin;
5. Examine and decide on water allocation rules and principles in normal times
and in times of water shortage as well as in times of drought or flooding;
6. Manage water use disputes between Regional States in the basin;
7. Provide information and advisory support to the body in charge of

negotiating with neighboring countries with respect to the basin where the
basin is part of a trans boundary basin;
8. Establish standing or ad-hoc committees necessary for discharging specific

activities.
26
10. Powers and Duties of Abbay Basin Authority
1. Initiate and submit to the Basin High Council policy measures needed to
create a conducive environment for the implementation of an integrated
water resource management process within the basin; and follow up the
implementation of same upon approval;
2. Undertake activities necessary for, and facilitate, the implementation of

integrated water resources management in the basin;
3. Ensure that projects, activities and interventions related to water in the basin
are, in their content, schedule, impacts and management are in line with the
integrated water resources management process;
4. Prepare, and submit to the Basin High Council, the basin’s plan and monitor
its implementation upon approval;
5. Issue permits applicable to the basin’s water use and water works in
accordance with Article 15 of this Proclamation, and ensure that the terms
of the permits are complied with;
6. Collect, compile, analyze and disseminate information for proper planning,

administration and steering of water resources in the basin;
7. Develop and use a river basin model in order to guide and support its basin
water resources strategic planning and water administration functions;
8. Give advice and technical support to the Basin High Council and the
Ministry on dispute resolution in relation to the allocation and Use of water
resources of the basin;
27
9. Set up a forum for effective networking among stakeholders;
10. Collect water charges from users;
11. On the basis of instructions of the Basin High Council, prepare and provide
necessary information for the concerned body in charge of negotiations
with other countries concerning trans-boundary river basins;
12. Undertake studies, surveys and researches that are deemed necessary to
carry out its functions;
11. Significance of Integrated Water Resource

Management For Sustainable Water Use
Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is now a cornerstone of

the new policy of the Ministry of Water Resources that was approved in 1999.
IWRM is also promoted by various international organisations such as the United
Nations and the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg
(2002). This concept of IWRM can be very useful to set priorities and solve
conflicts between different water uses, and may be defined as follows:
“IWRM is a process which promotes the coordinated

development and management of water, land and related
resources in order to maximize the resultant economic and
social welfare in an equitable and participatory manner
without compromising the sustainability of ecosystems.”
(Global Water Partnership, 2000)
28
With the IWRM policy in place, the Government has established River Basin
authorities to coordinate and streamline all the development initiatives in the
river basins. In order to ensure that these are sustainable, they must be balanced
with the Regional plans, other water sectors (e.g. water supply, fisheries,
tourism) and last but not least environmental considerations, such as watershed
management, pollution control and sanitation, flood and drought management,
and biodiversity conservation. The importance of sound watershed management
cannot be overemphasised, considering the impact of the watershed on the
lifetime of water infrastructures. It is also related to the capacity to retain water
not only “physically”, but also “biologically” in the basin.
Thus, Abbay Basin Authority is operating having the mission; to contribute

for overall sustainable development in the basin by ensuring integrated,
participatory, equitable and sustainable water resource management, by Creating
favorable conditions for the better protection & conservation of the ecosystem,
and through knowledge building & being the center of information.
The Abbay Basin Authority acts as the secretariat of the Basin High Council. Its
main aim is to actually implement IWRM, which will be achieved through the
following five major strategic objectives:
i) Coordination of planning. The Authority will ensure integration and

coordination of the sectors, Regions, private sector, NGO’s and other
stakeholders. The objective is not to make one all-encompassing basin plan,
but to coordinate and influence sector planning;
ii) Regulation of water use. The Authority will eventually be responsible for
water allocation, issuance of permits and collection of water charges (for
29
water use and pollution). The fees collected are proposed to feed a Basin
Fund, that can be used to steer and influence the direction of the basin;
iii) Knowledge building. The Authority will become a model institute

on hydrology, but will also collect information on the various sectors
programmes, the resource base, and the trends and future scenarios (models).
A MIS and M&E system will be established;
iv) Information exchange, communication and networking. This is one

of the core activities of the Authority, in order to involve and inform all
stakeholders on the basin issues, on the sector programmes, and to obtain
their feed back;
v) Capacity building. This is particularly important in the first years during

and after establishment of the Authority, as well as awareness raising of
the general public. Later, capacity building on IWRM will focus on other
stakeholders
The following diagram depicts how the authority and other sectors deal with
stakeholder involvement and partnership in order to implement the principles of
Integrated Water Resource Management and to ensure sustainable development
in the river basin.
30
Regional Integrated Development
Amhara Oromia Benishangul-Gumuz
Water resource Water & environment

development sectors protection sectors
Abbay Basin
Authority
1. Hydropower 1. Watershed Management
1. Coordination Planning
2. Irrigation 2. Pollution Control and
2. Regulation Sanitation
3. Water Supply
3. Knowledge building 3. Flood and drought
4. Fisheries
4. Information exchange management
5. Navigation 4. Biodiversity
5. Capacity building
6. Tourism, others Conservation
Other water users &

stakeholders
EEPCO, industries, water Untility

companies, sugur estates, armer
associations, NBI, NGOs, donors
31

Directorates’ and Branch Offices’ Address
Director General Office 058-226-5590/91
High Council Secretariat & International Relations 058-226-5571
Directorate
Basin Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation Directorate 058-220-6571
Basin Information Management Directorate 058-226-5571
Water Resource Management Directorate 058-218-0476
Integrated Basin Development & Conservation 058-226-5563
Directorate
Procurement, Finance and Warehouse 058-226-5575

Administration Directorate
Human Resource Management Directorate 058-220-7429
Change Management Directorate 058-226-5571
Internal Audit Service Directorate 058-226-5592
Koga Water Structure Management & Water 058-330-0656
Administration Center
Tana Sub-basin Branch Office 058-222-1065
Beles Sub-basin Branch Office 057-775-1533
Nekemet Sub-basin Branch Office 057-661-1388
Address:- Tele. +251 058 226 5590/91
Fax +251 058 226 4865
P.O. Box: 1376
Bahir Dar
Prepared By:
High Council Secretariat and International Relations Directorate
32
Koga Irrigation Scheme
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THE FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

ABBAY BASIN AUTHORITY

The Great Ethiopian

The Magnificent Dedesa River

.1 Abay 199,812 54.5 Mediterranean

2 Wabi- shebele 202,220 3.4 Indian Ocean

3 Genale-dawa 172,259 6 Indian Ocean

6 Baro-Akobo 75,912 23.23 Mediterranean

7 Omo-gibe 79,000 16.6 Lake Turkana

11 Mereb 5,900 0.72 Sudanese wetland

Source: Basin Master Plan & Survey Studies

Figure 1: Map of Ethiopia’s 12 River Basins

2. Overview of Abay River Basin

The Abbay river basin which is of a strategic importance to Ethiopia is located

1. Expansion of agriculture in the lowland where fertile soils are still

2. Agricultural intensification - This strategy is based on an improvement of

3. Economic diversification and urbanisation – This is the main strategy

Figure 2: Map of the 16 sub – basins of Abay River Basin

Figure 3: Rainfall amount distribution in the basin

4. Topography and Land Cover

Land cover in the basin

Figure 4: Topographic map of the basin

5. Irrigation Development in the Basin

Figure 5 : Major irrigation potential sites of the Abbay basin

2 Koga 7,004 A variety of crops Under development

3 Beles river 75,000 Sugar cane & Under development

5 Rib 14,460 Sugar cane Under construction

Megech/Seraba Under construction

7 Megech/Robit/ >17,000 A variety of crops Under construction

8 Jemma 11,615 A variety of crops Under design

10 Anger 18,000 A variety of crops Under design

11 Dabus 9,661 A variety of crops Under design

12 Gumara 16, 771 A variety of crops Under design

6. Hydropower Generation Potential in the Basin

nowadays. Ethiopia’s hydroelectric power generation potential is about 45,000

As identified in the Master Plan, there are 33 potential Hydropower sites in

Figure 6: Major hydropower potentials of the basin

Hydropower generation projects in the basin

1 Tana - Beles 460 In operation

7. Natural Resources within the basin

Mineral Resources in the River Basin

Surface Water Resources

Figure 7: Map of Location of Lake Tana

According to surveys conducted on

Abay River runs about 1450km

A number of tributaries join Abbay

Figure 8: Tributaries of Abbay River

This river is one of the major

There is irrigation dam under

River Rib originates from an area

There is irrigation dam project on

River Beshilo is known for flowing

Situated in central Ethiopia, It is one

Muger River joins Abay in the north

This river is situated in West Showa

Dedessa River originates from an area

Beles River which is one of the biggest

Dabus River is situated in Assosa Zone in

Tourism in the Abbay River Basin

In the South, mainly the region of Jimma is a noticeable international attraction

Nekemte, capital of East Wellega, is

The wildlife-rich Didesa River valley