SAMARA UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
WATER RESOURCES AND IRRIGATION ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CONCEPT NOTE ON:
THEME-3: MINERAL RESOURCES, MINING, WATER, AND ENERGY
SUBTHEME-2: WATER RESOURCES
PROJECT TITLE: Optimizing Tendaho Dam: Integrated Infrastructure Audit, Water
Balance Study, And Sustainable Management Framework
RESEARCHERS:
Name of Specialization E-mail Phone No.
Researchers
Zinabu Abreha Hydraulics Engineering zinabuabreha@[Link] 0943243678
([Link].)
Seid Ayalew Hydrology and modelling [Link]@[Link] 0921789214
([Link].): (Hydraulic Eng’ng)
Mohammed Geotechnical Engineering mohammedret@[Link] 0920315131
Ahmed ([Link].)
Mezmur Hawaz Hydraulics Engineering songhawaz@[Link] 0979073603
([Link].)
Submitted to: Research, Publication, Ethics and Dissemination Office
February 28, 2026
Samara, Ethiopia
1. Introduction and Rationale
Despite its status as a strategic national asset, the Tendaho Dam irrigation scheme is operating at
approximately 40% of its designed command area (25,000 ha vs. 60,000 ha). This significant
performance gap not only represents a substantial underutilization of public investment but also
constrains regional food security and rural development. To inform high-impact, science-based
rehabilitation, a comprehensive diagnostic phase is essential. This research theme is designed to
systematically identify and analyze the multi-faceted technical, hydrological, and operational
bottlenecks that currently limit scheme performance.
2. Proposed Intervention
The diagnostic phase consists of two primary technical pillars:
❖ Integrated Infrastructure Audit: A comprehensive assessment of canals, dam structures,
and drainage systems to prioritize repair and modernization needs.
❖ Water Balance Study: A detailed analysis of Awash River flow, dam storage, and demand
requirements for the full 60,000-hectare expansion, including an analysis of siltation
impacts.
3. Objective of the Project
General Objective:
To develop a comprehensive, science-based, and climate-resilient investment roadmap for the
rehabilitation and sustainable expansion of the Tendaho Irrigation Scheme to its full 60,000-
hectare capacity, while building local research capacity.
the specific Objective of the project theme:
❖ To conduct a comprehensive infrastructure audit of the dam, main canals, secondary
canals, and drainage systems to prioritize physical repair and modernization needs.
❖ To perform a detailed water balance study analyzing the relationship between Awash
River inflow, reservoir storage
❖ To assess soil salinity trends, waterlogging, and crop water productivity within the
existing command area.
❖ To model future water availability under different climate change scenarios and develop
adaptive operational strategies.
❖ To produce detailed tender documents and a prioritized, costed investment roadmap for
subsequent rehabilitation works.
4. Expected Outcomes
❖ A finalized Costed Investment Roadmap aligned with Ethiopia’s National Irrigation Plan
(NIP).
❖ Detailed Tender Documents rehabilitation works.
❖ A Water Balance Model to ensure sustainable 60,000-hectare operations.
5. References
Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy (MoWIE). (2020). *Ethiopia's National Irrigation Plan
(NIP) 2020-2030*. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Awulachew, S. B., et al. (2010). Irrigation Potential in Ethiopia: Constraints and Opportunities
for Enhancing the System. International Water Management Institute (IWMI).
IPCC. (2022). Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of
Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report.
Haileslassie, A., Agide, Z., Erkossa, T., Hoekstra, D., & Schmitter, P. (2016). Technical and
institutional attributes constraining the performance of small-scale irrigation in Ethiopia.
Meinzen-Dick, R. (2007). Beyond panaceas in water institutions. Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences, 104(39), 15200-15205.
Molden, D., Burton, M., & Bos, M. G. (2007). Performance assessment, benchmarking and
evaluation of irrigation and drainage systems. Irrigation and Drainage, 56(S1), S1-S12.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2009). Handbook on planning, monitoring
and evaluating for development results.
Vermillion, D. L. (1997). Impacts of irrigation management transfer: A review of the evidence.
IWMI Research Report No. 11.
World Bank. (2008). World Development Report 2008: Agriculture for Development. The World
Bank.