Ingeniería de Sistemas de Riego y Drenaje

Awash River’s the Ongoing Irrigation Practices, Future Projects and its Impacts on the Environment of Awash River Basin

Abstract

Kebede Nanesa

This Review Article aims to review irrigation potential of Awash River, opportunities and impacts on the Environment of Awash River Basin. Awash River basin 37 irrigation potential sites are identified out of which 5 are small-scale, 18 are medium-scale, and 14 are large-scale. The estimated irrigation potential is 134,121 hectares. Out of these, a potential, 30,556 hectares are for small-scale, 24,500 hectares for medium-scale and 79,065 hectares for large-scale development. Most of the irrigation schemes in Awash River Basin have good reputation in irrigation efficiency which varies from 30 to 55 %. The Awash River Basin faces land degradation, high population density, natural water degradation, and Salinity and wetland degradation. There should be proper wetland restoration system for the areas such as Becho plain, Borkena swamp affected by water logging and there must be afforestation and soil and water conservation measures for the desertification of middle and lower Awash.