PROJECT SUMMARY

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

"The Rift Valley Lakes Basin (RVLB) is one of the most environmentally and economically important basins, supporting millions of people and maintaining a vital ecosystem. It includes eight lakes, including Abaya and Chamo, as well as several rivers that serve as primary water sources for domestic use, irrigation, fisheries, and the environment.

However, the Lake Abaya-Chamo sub-basin is increasingly threatened by hydrological variability, deteriorating water quality, and watershed degradation, mainly due to human activities and climate change. The safety and sustainability of vital hydraulic structures are also under threat, particularly in the seismic zone of the Ethiopian Rift Valley.

Despite its importance, the water resources potential of the Abaya sub-basin remains poorly characterised due to the insufficient, inconsistent, and absence of integrated monitoring systems. The lack of studies integrating lake bathymetry, surface water, groundwater, and water quality has limited evidence-based decision-making.

The project aims to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of water resources in the Abaya sub-basin, focusing on bathymetric surveys, water quantity and quality, and dam and reservoir safety monitoring in the main Ethiopian Rift system. The initiative is a collaboration between Arba Minch University and the Space Science and Geospatial Institute, with a long-term vision to eventually expand to other river basins in Ethiopia, ultimately providing information on Ethiopia’s water resources to support evidence-based decision-making and drive the nation’s sustainable prosperity".