CHAPTER FOUR

DRAINAGE SYSTEMS AND WATER RESOURCE OF ETHIOPIA

AND THE HORN
 Mcq question from this chapter
[Link] the odd one from the following lakes
A. Lake Tana
B. Lake Shalla
C. Lake Ziway
D. Lake Koka
E. Lake Hayk
2 Which one of the following rivers of Ethiopia is found to be navigable river?
A. Abbay
B. Wabishebelle
C. Baro
D. Awash
[Link] one of the following drainage basins drains the Amhara, Oromia &
Benishangul Gumuz regional states?
A. Omo/Ghibe Basin
C. Baro Basin
E. Tekeze Basin
B. Abay Basin
D. Genale Basin
4. Which one of the following is the largest river both in volumetric discharge and
coverage in the Western Drainage System?
A. Tekeze River
B. Baro-Akobo River
C. Abay River
D. Ghibe River
5. Inland water transport, in Ethiopia is limited because of the following
except
A. ruggedness of the topography
B. seasonal fluctuation of the volume of rivers.
the plain nature of the landscape on which the rivers flow
D. presence of rapids and falls along the course of most rivers
6. The Ethiopian lakes are said to be the results of structural activity. This
is proved by their
A. Location in Wet areas
Location in dry areas
B. Location at high altitudes
D. having less volume of water
[Link] one of the following is man-made lake in Ethiopia?
A. Lake Hawassa
B Lake Koka
C. Lake Chamo
D. Lake Ziway
[Link] following are the general characteristic of Ethiopian Rivers except
A. Most of them are suitable for navigations.
B. They have rapids and waterfalis along their courses
C. They show extreme seasonal fluctuation
D. Most of them have trans-boundary natures.
9. The rift Valley Drainage system is characterized by the following in that
A. It has northward flow direction
B. The rivers have closed system (have no sea out let)
C. It has the largest catchment area
D. It shows very low fluctuations of water
[Link] the following major river basins of western drainage system,
which one does not discharge in to the sea through Nile River?
A. Baro-Akobo
B. Ghibe (omo)
C. Tekeze
D. Abay
E. None of the above
11. Which one of the following identifies the western lowlands of
Ethiopia?
A. Tekeze-Setit, Abay-Dinder and Baro-Akobo lowlands
B. Borana, Wabi Shebele-Ghenale and Ogaden lowlands
C. Wabi Shebele, Ghenale and Borana lowlands
D. Awash, rift valley and Afar lowlands
12. Which of the following drainage system is the largest in terms of
annual water discharge?
A. The Inland Drainage System
C. The Rift Valley Drainage System
B. The South-eastern Drainage System
D. The Western Drainage System
 CHAPTER FOUR
DRAINAGE SYSTEMS AND WATER RESOURCE OF ETHIOPIA
AND THE HORN

4.1. Introduction
About 71% of the earth’s total surface is covered by water
bodies majorly occupied by seas and oceans. Of the earth’s
total water surface, nearly 97.5% is Saline or alkaline
accumulated in seas and oceans. The remaining 2.5% is fresh
water, of which nearly 68.7% is deposited in glaciers, 30.1% in
ground water, 0.8% in permafrost and 0.4% in surface waters.
 Cont’
• Water in lakes, rivers, atmosphere, soils and wetlands
are considered as surface waters. Surface and ground
waters are by far the most abundant and easily
available fresh waters. However, fresh water is
distributed unevenly throughout the world following
varied latitudinal locations, climatic and topographic
setups.
 Cont’
• Ethiopia is characterized by complex blend of massive
highlands, rugged terrain, and low plains. The diverse
topographical setup, relatively higher rainfall and its nearness
to equator made the country to have larger volume of ground
and surface water.
• Around 0.7 % of the total land mass of Ethiopia is covered by
water bodies. Although it requires further detailed
investigation, the country’s surface water potential as studied in
different integrated river basin master plans is estimated to be
124.4 billion cubic meters (BCM). Consequently, many call
Ethiopia, the water tower of “Eastern Africa”.
 Major Drainage System of Ethiopia

• The flow of water through well-defined channel is known as

drainage. A drainage system is made up of a principal river and
its tributaries (the rivers that flow into it). A river system begins
at a place called the source or headwater and ends at a point
called mouth. Therefore, a drainage system is branched
network of stream channels together with the adjacent land
slopes they drain.
 Cont’

• The drainage pattern of an area is the outcome of the

geological processes, nature and structure of rocks,
topography, slope, amount and the periodicity of the flow.
• A drainage basin is the topographic region from which a river
and its tributaries collect both the surface runoff and
subsurface flow. It is bounded by and separated from other
river basins by a water divide or topographic divide or Water
shed.
 Cont’

• The general patterns of major river basins in Ethiopia are

determined by topographical structures which can be clarified as:
• a) The topography of the outward sloping of the Western and South
eastern plateaus
• b) The structural formation of the Rift Valley with its in-ward-sloping
escarpments resulting mainly in an inland drainage system.
• c) Faults and joints that structurally influence part of the courses of
many rivers.
 The Major Drainage Systems

• Following the complex physiographic setup and

geological makeup, Ethiopia possesses three broadly
classified drainage systems namely Western,
Southeastern and Rift ValleyDrainage Systems. Western
and the Southeastern drainage systems are separated
by the Rift Valley system.
 The Western Drainage Systems

• The Western Drainage Systems are the largest of all drainage

systems draining 40 percent of the total area of the country
and carry 60 percent of the annual water flow. Most of the
catchment area coextends with the westward sloping part of
the western highlands and western lowlands. This drainage
system comprises four major river basins namely the Tekeze,
Abay, Baro-Akobo, Ghibe (Omo).
 Cont’
• Unlike other river basins in the system, the Ghibe (Omo)
flows southward.
• The Abay, Tekeze and Baro flow westward ultimately
joining the Nile which finally ends at Mediterranean
Sea.
• The largest river both in volumetric discharge and
coverage in the western drainage systems is the Abay
 Cont’
• Abay river basin covers an area of 199,812 km2, covering parts
of Amhara, Oromia and Benishangul-Gumuz regional states.
Together with its tributaries, most of which are left-bank
tributaries; it carries 65 percent of the annual water flow of the
region.
• Abay which rises from Lake Tana (some sources indicate its
origin from Sekela, Choke mountain) flows about 1,450
kilometres and joins the White Nile in Khartoum, Sudan to
form the Nile River.
 Cont’
• More than 60 streams drain the Abay within elevation
ranging between 500 - 4261 meters above sea level. The
largest of these is Ghilgel Abay (LittleAbay). Abay flows
eastward, turns 180 to make a large bend and after
cutting an impressive and deep gorge emerges out in
the west.
 Cont’
• Similarly, the Tekeze and its tributaries, carrying 12 percent of
the annual water flow of the region drains 82,350 Km2 of land
surface within elevation ranging between 536-4517 meters
above sea level. Erosion in the basin resulted in large
tablelands, plateau blocks and isolated mountain groupsThe
basin has two main tributaries (Angereb and Goang) which
rises in the central highlands of Ethiopia..
 Cont’
• Tekeze river is termed Atbara in Sudan, which is a
tributary of the Nile. The total mean annual flow from
the basin is estimated to be 8.2 billion metric cubes
(BMC, here after).
• The Baro-Akobo and Ghibe / Omo rivers drain the
wettest highlands in the south and southwestern
Ethiopia. They carry 17 percent and 6 percent of the
annual water flow respectively..
 Cont’
• Baro Akobo river basin has an area of 75,912 km2, covering
parts of the Benishangul-Gumuz, Gambella, Oromia, and
SNNPR. The total mean annual flow from the river basin is
estimated to be 23.6 BMC. The Baro together with Akobo
forms the Sobat River in South Sudan. The Ghibe / Omo River
finally empties in to the Chew-Bahir at the mouth of Lake
Turkana (an elongated Rift Valley lake) thereby forming an
inland drainage.
 The Southeastern Drainage Systems

• Nearly the entire physiographic region of southeastern part of

Ethiopia is drained by the southeastern drainage systems. The
basin which is mainly drained by Wabishebelle and Ghenale,
slopes southeastwards across large water deficient plains.
Major highlands of this basin include plateaus of Arsi, Bale,
Sidama and Harerghe. Wabshebelle and Ghenale rivers cross
the border into Somalia, carrying 25 percent of the annual
water flow of Ethiopia.
 Cont’
• Ghenale river basin has an area of 171,042 km2, covering parts
of Oromia, SNNPR, and Somali regions. Ghenale, which has
fewer tributaries but carries more water than Wabishebelle,
reaches the Indian Ocean. The basin flows estimated to be 5.8
BMC within elevation ranging between 171-4385 meters above
sea level. In Somalia it is named the Juba River.
 Cont’
• Wabishebelle with a total catchment area of 202,697 km2, is
the largest river in terms catchment area. It drains parts of
Oromia, Harari and the Somali regions. It is the longest river in
Ethiopia. Its tributaries are mainly left bank and, most of them,
are intermittent. Despite its size, the Wabishebelle fails to
reach the Indian Ocean where at the end of its journey it flows
parallel to the coast before its water disappears in the sands,
just near the Juba River.
 The Rift Valley Drainage System

• The Rift Valley drainage system is an area of small amount of

rainfall, high evaporation and small catchment area. The size
of the drainage area is restricted by the outward sloping
highlands, which starts right from the edge of the escarpment.
The Rift Valley drainage system is therefore left with the slopes
of the escarpment and the Rift Valley floor itself as the
catchment area.
 Cont’
• The only major river basin is that of the Awash. Awash river
basin has a catchment area of 114,123 km2 and has an average
annual discharge of 4.9 billion cubic meters. The Awash River
originates from Shewan plateau in central highlands of
Ethiopia, and flows 1250 kms. It covers parts of the Amhara,
Oromia, Afar, Somali, Dire Dawa, and Addis Ababa City
Administration.
 Cont’
• Awash is the most utilized river in the country.
• In the Rift Valley drainage systems, there is no one general flow
direction, as the streams flow in all directions. Following the
Rift Valley orientation, the Awash flows in a northeast
direction. It finally ends in a maze of small lakes and marshy
area; the largest of which is Lake Abe on the Ethio-Djibouti
border.
• The Afar drainage sub-basin has practically no stream flow.
 Cont’
• It is an area of little rain, very high temperature and very high
evaporation. Lake Afrera and Asale are the only main surface waters
in the basin which are not the result of any meaningful surface flow.
Their formation is related to tectonic activities.
• The Southern part of the Rift Valley sub-basin is characterized by a
number of lakes and small streams. It is also described as lakes region.
The lakes occupy fault depression. There are small streams that drain
down from the nearby mountain slopes which supply water to the
lakes. For example, Meki and Katar Rivers flow into Ziway; Bilate into
Abaya; and Segen into Chew Bahir.
 Cont’
• Likewise, some of these lakes are interconnected. Lakes
Ziway and Langano drain into Lake Abijiata through the
small streams of Bulbula and Horocolo respectively.
 Water Resources: Rivers, Lakes and Sub-Surface Water

• The Ethiopian Rivers

• Unlike many other African countries, Ethiopia is endowed with
many rivers. Majority of the rivers originate from highland
areas and cross the Ethiopian boundary. Altogether, Ethiopian
rivers form 12 major watersheds.), separating the
Mediterranean Sea from the Indian Ocean drainage systems.
(see table4.1)on the module.
 General Characteristics of Ethiopian Rivers

• Owing to the highland nature of the Ethiopian landmass, surface

ruggedness, the outward inclination of the highlands, and the climatic
conditions, Ethiopian rivers have the following characteristics.
• Almost all major rivers originate from the highlands elevating more than
1500 meters above sea level,
• Majority of Ethiopian rivers are trans-boundary,
• Due to the marked seasonality of rainfall, Ethiopian rivers are
characterized by extreme seasonal fluctuation.
 Cont’
• In the wet season, runoff is higher and rivers are full bursting their banks,
destroying small bridges, damage roads and flooding low lands; during the
dry seasons they became mere trickles of water or even dry up,
Due to surface ruggedness they have rapids and waterfalls along their course,
• They have cuts, steep-sided river valleys and deep gorges along their
courses,
• Rivers in Ethiopia flow on steep slopes having steep profiles.
• Some of the rivers serve as boundaries, both international and domestic
administrative units.
•
 The Ethiopian Lakes

• Relatively Ethiopia is rich in lakes. Almost all Ethiopian lakes are

result of tectonic process that took place during Quaternary
period of Cenozoic era. Except few Ethiopian lakes, majority of
lakes are located within the Rift Valley System. The lakes in the
drainage are mainly formed on faulted depressions and are
clustered along the system forming linear pattern.
 Cont’
• Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia occupies a shallow depression in
the highlands. The Tana depression is believed to be formed following
slower sinking and reservoir by lava flow between Gojjam and Gonder
massifs. Ethiopia is also gifted with crater lakes. These include the lakes
at and around Bishoftu, Wonchi (near Ambo), Hayk (near Dessie) and the
Crater Lake on top of Mount Zikwala. Lake Ashenge (Tigray) is formed on
a tectonic basin. Other types of lakes in Ethiopia are man-made such as
Lakes Koka, Fincha and Melka Wakena, and many other lakes dammed
following hydroelectric power generation projects.
 Cont’
• Cluster of lakes are lined up within main Ethiopian rift. Lake
Abaya is the largest of all the lakes in the system. The southern
tip of the Rift Valley forms the marshy land called the Chew
Bahirwhich is drained by Segan and Woito. Shala and Ziway
are the shallowest and the deepest lakes in the central
Ethiopian Rift (Table 4.2).
 Subsurface (Ground) Water Resource of Ethiopia

• As compared to surface water resources, Ethiopia has lower

ground water potential. Climate and geophysical conditions
determine the availability of groundwater resource. Based
on existing scanty knowledge, the groundwater potential of
Ethiopia is estimated to be 2.6 - 6.5 BMC. However, this
estimate is now considered underestimated. Considering
various separate studies, Ethiopian potential of
groundwater is believed to range between 12-30 BMC.
Water Resources Potentials and Development in Ethiopia

• The enormous water resource potential of Ethiopia is

underutilized due to so many factors. However, there are
plenteous of opportunities that can transform the resource
into our collective social and economic needs. The followings
are some of potential development uses of water resource of
Ethiopia.
 Cont’
• a) Hydro-electric Potential
• Ethiopian rivers have a very high potential for generating
electricity. The exploitable potential of Hydroelectric power is
estimated at about 45000 megawatts. The first hydroelectric
power generation plant was installed on Akaki River (Aba
Samuel) in 1932. Currently many hydroelectric power dams are
operating and many others are under construction to realize
Ethiopia’s ambitious energy goals.
 Cont’
• Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is the country’s
largest dam under construction aiming to generate 6400
megawatts. Gilgel Gibe III hydropower project has gone
operational generating 1870 megawatts. Currently Ethiopia is
administering 14 hydroelectric power plants constructed on
lake Aba Samuel, Koka, Tis Abay, Awash, Melka Wakena, Sor,
Fincha, Gibe/Omo, Tana Beles and Tekeze, generating close to
4000 megawatts of energy.
 Cont’
• Besides the domestic use of generated electricity, the country
is exporting electricity to the neighboring countries. The major
problem related to the use of Ethiopian rivers for the
generation of hydroelectric power is the seasonal flow
fluctuations and impact of climate change and variabilities. The
sever erosion from the highlands and sedimentation in the
reservoirs is also a critical problem for hydroelectric power
generation.
 Cont’
• a) Irrigation and Transportation The terrain in Ethiopia is so
rugged that it limits the uses of Ethiopian rivers both for
irrigation and transportation. In the highlands, steep slopes,
rapids, waterfalls, narrow and deep valleys and gorges are
important obstacles. But on the lowlands, their demand for
irrigation is high. Regardless of existing physiographic setups,
Ethiopia’s potential of irrigation is estimated to be 5.3 million
hectares.
 Cont’
• The Baro-Akobo and Genale Dawa river systems have large
irrigation potential compared to other basins. Despite the
untapped irrigation practice, more than 60% of the area under
irrigation so far is located in Rift Valley Drainage System. Except
few, majority of hydro-electric reservoirs are multi-purpose
and are expected to contribute for irrigation.
 Cont’
• Majority of Ethiopian rivers are not suitable for transportation.
The Baro at its lower course is the only navigable river.
Comparatively, Ethiopian lakes are much suitable for
transportation than rivers. Lake Tana and Abaya are relatively
the most used for transportation.
 Cont’
• c) Fishing and Recreation
• The majority of Ethiopian lakes are rich in [Link] the
annual production of fish is estimated to be 31.5 thousand
tons. The exploitable potential is however, by far greater than
the current production. Exploitable fish potential in lakes
varies. Currently Lake Tana leads the potential by estimated
8,000-10,000 tons per year.
 Cont’
• Fish production from Lake Chamo is estimated at 4,500 tons
per year. However, more than 60% of fish supplies are coming
from Ethiopian main Rift Valley lakes. However, some of the
lakes are currently threatened by sedimentation, invasive
species (water hyacinth), over exploitation and expansion of
investments around lakes.
 Cont’
• There are a variety of fish, birds and other aquatic life forms in
the lakes. This and the scenic beauty of the lakes, the hot
springs around them, the spectacular river gorges and the
most impressive waterfalls make Ethiopian rivers and lakes
important recreational and tourist attractions. As they are the
natural habitat of a variety of wild life, some of which are only
endemic to Ethiopia, their value for scientific purposes is
immense.