Chapter Four

DRAINAGE SYSTEMS AND WATER RESOURCE OF

ETHIOPIA AND THE HORN
 Chapter Objectives

• At the end of this chapter you will be able to:

Describe the major drainage systems in Ethiopia and the Horn,

Examine the surface and ground water resource potentials of Ethiopia,

Understand economic potentials of the water sector in Ethiopia

 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 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.
• surface waters is water in lakes, rivers, atmosphere, soils and wetlands.
• 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.
 Introduction ……..
• topographic setup of 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”.
 4.2. Major Drainage System of Ethiopia
• The flow of water through well-defined channel is known as drainage.
• made up of a principal river and its tributaries (rivers that flow into it).
• source: a point where river system begins/headwater/
• mouth – a point where the river ends.
• drainage system is branched network of stream channels together with
the adjacent land slopes they drain.
• 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- 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.
 Major Drainage System of Ethiopia……
• 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
1.Western, 2.Southeastern and 3. Rift Valley Drainage Systems.

• Western and the Southeastern drainage systems are separated by the Rift
Valley system.
 4.2.1. The Western Drainage Systems

1. Western Drainage Systems

• largest of all drainage systems draining 40% of the total area of the
country and carry 60% of the annual water flow.

• Most of the catchment area coextends with the westward sloping part
of the western highlands and western lowlands.

• comprises four major river basins namely; Tekeze, Abay, Baro-Akobo,

Ghibe (Omo).

• 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 Western Drainage Systems…..

• The largest river both in volumetric discharge and coverage in the

western drainage systems is the Abay.

• 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 kilometers and joins
the White Nile in Khartoum, Sudan to form the Nile River.
 The Western Drainage Systems…..

• More than 60 streams drain the Abay within elevation ranging between
500 - 4261 meters above sea level;largest of these is Ghilgel Abay
(Little Abay).

• Abay flows eastward, turns 180 degree to make a large bend and after
cutting an impressive and deep gorge emerges out in the west.

• 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 groups.
 The Western Drainage Systems…..

• The basin has two main tributaries (Angereb and Goang) which rises in
the central highlands of Ethiopia.

• 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.
• The Ghibe/ Omo river basin drains an area of 79,000 km2 with an
estimated mean annual flow of 16.6 BMC.
• In the lower course, the Baro River flows across an extensive marshy
land.
 The Western Drainage Systems…..
• 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.

2. The Southeastern Drainage Systems

• physiographic region of southeastern part of Ethiopia is drained by the

southeastern drainage systems.
 The SEDrainage Systems…..

• The basin which is mainly drained by Wabishebelle and Ghenale,

• 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.

• 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.
 The Western Drainage Systems…..

• In Somalia it is named the Juba River.

• Wabishebelle with a total catchment area of 202,697 km2, is the

largest river in terms catchment area. longest river in Ethiopia

• It drains parts of Oromia, Harari and the Somali regions.

• 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.
 4.2.3. 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.

• 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 Rift Valley Drainage System ……

• 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. 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 Rift Valley Drainage System ……

• The Afar drainage sub-basin has practically no stream flow.

• It is an area of little rain, very high temperature and very high

evaporation.

• Lake Afrera and Asale are the only main surface(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.

• There are small streams like Meki and Katar Rivers flow into Ziway;
Bilate into Abaya; and Segen into Chew Bahir. Likewise, some of these
lakes are interconnected. Lakes Ziway and Langano drain into Lake
Abijiata through the small streams of Bulbula and Horocolo respectively.
 4.3. Water Resources: Rivers, Lakes and Sub-Surface Water
4.3.1. 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.
 Table 4.1: Data on major Ethiopian rivers
River Catchment Annual Volume Terminus/ Major tributaries
Area(km2) BMC Mouth
Abay 199,812 54.5 Mediterranean Dabus, Dedessa,
Fincha, Guder, Muger,
Jema, Beshilo

Wabishebelle 202,697 3.4 Coast of Indian Ramis Erer, Daketa

Ocean Fafan
Genale Dawa 171,042 6 Indian-Ocean Dawa, Weyb, Welmel,
Mena
Awash 114,123 4.9 Inland (within Akaki, Kesem,
Ethiopia) Borkena, Mile
Tekeze 87,733 8.2 Mediterranean Goang, Angereb

Gibe (Omo) 79,000 16.6 Lake Turkana Gojeb

Baro Akobo 75,912 23.23 Mediterranean Akobo

 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.

• 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.
 General Characteristics of Ethiopian Rivers ……..

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/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.
 4.3.2. 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.

• Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia occupies a shallow depression

in the highlands.
 The Ethiopian Lakes ……

• 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 like 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.
 The Ethiopian Lakes ……

• 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 Bahir which is drained by Segan and Woito.

• Shala and Ziway are the shallowest and the deepest lakes in the central
Ethiopian Rift
 Table 4.2: Area and depth of some of Ethiopian Lakes
Lake Area Max. Lake Area Max. Lake Area Max.
(km2) Depth( (km2) Depth(m) (km2) Depth(m
m) )
Tana 3600 9 Abijata 205 14 Abijata 205 14

Abaya 1162 13.1 Awassa 129 10 Awassa 129 10

Chamo 551 13 Asheng 20 25 Asheng 20 25

e e
Ziway 442 8.95 Hayk 5 23 Hayk 5 23

Shala 409 266 Beseka 48.5 11 Beseka 48.5 11

Koka 205 9
 4.3.3. Subsurface (Ground) Water Resource of Ethiopia

• Ethiopia has lower ground water potential as compared to surface

water resources, however, there exists higher total exploitable
groundwater potential.

• Climatic and geophysical conditions determine the availability of

ground water 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.
 4.4. 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.

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.
 Water Resources Potentials and Development in Ethiopia …….

• 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.

• 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.
 Water Resources Potentials and Development in Ethiopia …….

• 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.

• 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 variability.

• The severe erosion from the highlands and sedimentation in the

reservoirs is also a critical problem for hydroelectric power generation.
 Water Resources Potentials and Development in Ethiopia …….

• b) 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.

• The Baro-Akobo and Genale Dawa river systems have large irrigation
potential compared to other basins.
 Water Resources Potentials and Development in Ethiopia …….

• 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.

• 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. Ex. Lake Tana and Abaya are relatively the most used for
transportation
 Water Resources Potentials and Development in Ethiopia …….
c) Fishing and Recreation

• The majority of Ethiopian lakes are rich in fish. Currently 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. 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.
 Water Resources Potentials and Development in Ethiopia …….

• However, some of the lakes are currently threatened by sedimentation,

invasive species (water hyacinth), over exploitation and expansion of
investments around lakes.

• 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.