Evaluating sediment storage dams: structural off-site sediment trapping measures in northwest Ethiopia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18172/cig.2643Keywords:
sediment storage dams, sediment trapping efficacy, off-site sediment trapping measures, sediment yield, Ethiopia.Abstract
Reservoir and lake sedimentation is a vital problem in Ethiopia. Constructing small and medium size dams at the outlets of sub-catchments within larger catchment helps to reduce the transport of sediment downstream to reservoirs or lakes. This study assessed the sediment trapping efficacy (STE) of sediment storage dams (SSDs) built at the outlets of eight small sub-catchments in northwest Ethiopia, as an off-site sediment trapping measure. Satellite imagery and topographic maps were used to assess land use/land cover and delineate the boundaries of sub-catchments. In the field, trapped sediment by SSDs was measured directly, as well as in- and outflow of suspended sediment with which the STE of each SSD was estimated. Sediment yield of each sub-catchment was calculated from the measured trapped sediment and estimated suspended sediment loss. Results show that SSDs trapped an average of 1584 t yr-1 of the inflow sediment and catchment specific sediment yield ranged from 8.6-55 t ha-1 yr-1. Two representative SSDs constructed from gabion and stone were evaluated with regard to their STE. Results showed that their efficacy was 74% and 67% for the gabion and stone SSD, respectively. In general, although SSDs might be costly for small scale farmers and have a relatively short life span depending on their size, they are promising off-site structural measures to trap significant amounts of sediment at the outlets of sub-catchments and subsequently reducing sediment movement to downstream water bodies.Downloads
References
Abedini, M., Md Said, M.A., Ahmad, F. 2012. Effectiveness of check dam to control soil erosion in a tropical catchment (The Ulu Kinta Basin). Catena 97, 63-70.
Amare, A. 2005. Study of sediment yield from the Watershed of Angereb reservoir. Master’s Thesis, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Alemaya University, Ethiopia.
Amsalu, A., Stroosnijder, L., de Graaf, J. 2007. Long-term dynamics in land resource use and the driving forces in the Beressa watershed, highlands of Ethiopia. Journal of Environmental Management 83, 448-459.
Armstrong, J.L., Mackenzie, D.H. 2002. Sediment yields and turbidity records from small upland subcatchments in the Warragamba Dam catchment, southern New South Wales. Australian Journal of Soil Research 40, 557-579.
Baade, J., Franz, S., Reichel, A. 2012. Reservoir siltation and sediment yield in the Kruger National Park, South Africa: A first assessment. Land Degradation & Development 23, 586-600.
Baartman, J.E.M., Masselink, R., Keesstra, S.D., Temme, A. 2013. Linking landscape morphological complexity and sediment connectivity. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 38, 1457- 1471.
Bellin, N., Vanacker, V., van Wesemael, B., Sole-Benet, A., Bakker, M.M. 2011. Natural and anthropogenic controls on soil erosion in the Internal Betic Cordillera (southeast Spain). Catena 87, 190-200.
Borin, M., Vianello, M., Morari, F., Zanin, G. 2005. Effectiveness of buffer strips in removing pollutants in runoff from a cultivated field in North-East Italy. Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment 105, 101-114.
Burylo, M., Rey, F., Bochet, E., Dutoit, T. 2012. Plant functional traits and species ability for sediment retention during concentrated flow erosion. Plant and Soil 353, 135-144.
Coyne, M.S., Gilfillen, R.A., Rhodes, R.W., Blevins, R.L. 1995. Soil and fecal coliform trapping by grass filter strips during simulated rain. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 50, 405- 408.
De Vente, J., Poesen, J., Bazzoffi, P., Van Rompaey, A., Verstraeten, G. 2006. Predicting catchment sediment yield in Mediterranean environments: the importance of sediment sources and connectivity in Italian drainage basins. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 31, 1017- 1034.
Dendy, F., Cooper, C. 1984. Sediment trap efficiency of a small reservoir. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 39, 278-280.
EMA. 1987. Ethiopian Mapping Agency. Field survey by EMA. Air photography 1:50 000 scale by SWEDSURVEY, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Fiener, P., Auerswald, K.,Weigand, S. 2005. Managing erosion and water quality in agricultural watersheds by small detention ponds. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 110, 132- 142.
Fisseha, G., Gebrekidan, H., Kibret, K., Bedadi, B., Yitaferu, B. 2011. Participatory Development of Soil Conservation Measures at the Debre-Mewi Watershed in the Upper Catchment of the Blue Nile Basin, Northwest Ethiopia. Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences
(JBES) 1, 199-213. Haile, G.W., Fetene, M. 2012. Assessment of soil erosion hazard in kilie catchment, East Shoa, Ethiopia. Land Degradation & Development 23, 293-306.
Haregeweyn, N., Poesen, J., Nyssen, J., De Wit, J., Haile, M., Govers, G., Deckers, S. 2006. Reservoirs in Tigray (Northern Ethiopia): Characteristics and sediment deposition problems. Land Degradation & Development 17, 211-230.
Haregeweyn, N., Poesen, J., Nyssen, J., Govers, G., Verstraeten, G., de Vente, J., Deckers, J., Moeyersons, J., Haile, M. 2008. Sediment yield variability in Northern Ethiopia: A quantitative analysis of its controlling factors. Catena 75, 65-76.
Hughes, A.O., Prosser, P.I. 2012. Gully erosion prediction across a large region: Murray-Darling Basin, Australia. Soil Research 50, 267-277.
Kebede, W. 2012. Watershed Manual: An Option to Sustain Dam and Reservoir Functions in Ethiopia. Journal of Environmental Sciences and Technology 5, 262-273.
Keesstra, S.D. 2007. Impact of natural reforestation on floodplain sedimentation in the Dragonja basin, SW Slovenia. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 32, 49-65.
Keesstra, S.D., Bruijnzeel, L.A., van Huissteden, J. 2009a. Meso-scale catchment sediment budgets: combining field surveys and modeling in the Dragonja catchment, southwest Slovenia. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 34, 1547-1561.
Keesstra, S.D., van Dam, O., Verstraeten, G., van Huissteden, J. 2009b. Changing sediment generation due to natural reforestation in the Dragonja catchment, SW Slovenia. Catena 78, 60-71.
Knight, K.W., Schultz, R.C., Mabry, C.M., Isenhart, T.M. 2010. Ability of remnant riparian forests, with and without grass filters, to buffer concentrated surface runoff. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 46, 311-322.
Lakel, W.A., III, Aust, W.M., Holding, M.C., Dolloff, C.A., Keyser, P., Feldt, R. 2010. Sediment trapping by streamside management zones of various widths after forest harvest and site preparation. Forest Science 56, 541-551.
Leguédois, S., Ellis, T.W., Hairsine, P.B., Tongway, D.J. 2008. Sediment trapping by a tree belt: Processes and consequences for sediment delivery. Hydrological Processes 22, 3523-3534.
Markle, J. 2009. Efficacy of settlement ponds for reducing pyrethroid runoff in almond orchards. Modesto, CA: Almond Board of California. Final research report 2008-2009, 1-24.
McCaleb, M.M., McLaughlin, R.A. 2008. Sediment trapping by five different sediment detention devices on conservation sites Transactions of the ASABE 51, 1613-1621.
McKenzie, N., Coughlan, K.J., Cresswell, H. 2002. Soil Physical Measurement and Interpretation For Land Evaluation. CSIRO Publishing: Collingwood, Victoria.
Mekonnen, M., Keesstra, S.D., Baartman, J.E.M., Stroosnijder, L., Maroulis, J. 2014. Soil Conservation Through Sediment Trapping: A review. Land Degradation & Development DOI, 10.1002 l-1dr.2308.
Mekonnen, M., Melesse, A.M. 2011. Soil Erosion Mapping and Hotspot area identification using GIS and Remote Sensing in Northwest Ethiopian Highlands, Near lake Tana. Nile River Basin; hydrology, climate & water use, Springer, 207-224.
MERET. 2008. MERET NEWS: A quarterly newsletter published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, MERET, Project coordination office, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Report No 5, 9-10.
Middelkoop, H., Erkens, G., van der Perk, M. 2010. The Rhine delta-a record of sediment trapping over time scales from millennia to decades. Journal of Soils and Sediments 10(4), 628-639.
Morgan, R.P.C. 2005. Soil erosion and conservation, 3rd ed. National Soil Resource Institute, Cranfield University, Blackwell, London.
Nyssen J, Descheemaeker K, Haregeweyn N, Haile M, Deckers J, Poesen J. 2007. Lessons learnt from 10 years research on SWC in Tigray. Tigray Livelihood Papers No. 7. Zala-Daget
Project, Mekelle University, K.U.Leuven, Tigray BOARD. ISBN 978-90-8826-027-8; 53.
Nyssen, J., Poesen, J., Moeyersons, j., Mitiku, H., Deckers, J. 2008. Dynamics of soil erosion rates and controlling factors in the Northern Ethiopian Highlands - towards a sediment budget. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 33, 695-711.
Poesen, J., Nachtergaele, J., Verstraeten, G., Valentin, C. 2003. Gully erosion and environmental change: importance and research needs. Catena 50, 91-133.
Ritsema, C.J. 2003. Introduction: soil erosion and participatory land use planning on the Loess Plateau in China. Catena 54, 1-5.
Romero-Díaz, A., Marin-Sanleandro, P., Ortiz-Silla, R. 2012. Loss of soil fertility estimated from sediment trapped in check dams. South-eastern Spain. Catena 99, 42-53.
Schoonover, J.E., Williard, K.W.J., Zaczek, J.J., Mangun, J.C., Carver, A.D. 2006. Agricultural sediment reduction by giant cane and forest riparian buffers. Water Air and Soil Pollution 169, 303-315.
Setegn, S.G., Dargahi, B., Srinivasan, R., Melesse, A.M. 2010. Modelling of sediment yield from Anjeni gauged watershed, Ethiopia using SWAT Model. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 46, 514-526.
Sougnez, N., van Wesemael, B., Vanacker, V. 2011. Low erosion rates measured for steep, sparsely vegetated catchments in southeast Spain. Catena 84, 1-11.
Tamene, L., Park, S., Dikau, R., Vlek, P. 2006a. Reservoir siltation in the semi-arid highlands of northern Ethiopcatchment area relationship and a semi-quantitative approach for predicting sediment yield. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 31(11), 1364-1383.
Tamene, L., Park, S.J., Dikau, R., Vlek, P.L.G. 2006b. Analysis of factors determining sediment yield variability in the highlands of northern Ethiopia. Geomorphology 76, 76-91.
Vanoni, V.A. 1975. Sedimentation Engineering. ASCE Manuals and Reports on Engineering Practices. No 54. ASCE.
Verstraeten, G., Poesen, J. 2000. Estimating trap efficiency of small reservoirs and ponds: methods and implications for the assessment of sediment yield. Progress in Physical Geography 24, 219-251.
Verstraeten, G., Poesen, J. 2001. Factors controlling sediment yield from small intensively cultivated catchments in a temperate humid climate. Geomorphology 40, 123-144.
Verstraeten, G., Poesen, J. 2002. Regional scale variability in sediment and nutrient delivery from small agricultural watersheds. Journal of Environmental Quality 31(3), 870-879.
Vorosmarty, C.J., Meybeck, M., Fekete, B., Sharma, K., Green, P., Syvitski, J.P.M. 2003. Anthropogenic sediment retention: major global impact from registered river impoundments. Global and Planetary Change 39, 169-190.
Walling, D.E. 2006. Human impact on land-ocean sediment transfer by the world’s rivers. Geomorphology 79, 192-216.
Wang, Y., Fu, B., Chen, L., Lü, Y., Gao, Y. 2011. Check dam in the loess plateau of China: Engineering for environmental services and food security. Environmental Science and Technology 45(24), 10298-10299.
Ward, J.M., Jackson, C.R. 2004. Sediment trapping within forestry streamside management zones: Georgia Piedmont, USA. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 40(6), 1421- 1431.
Wasson, R.J., Caitcheon, G., Murray, A.S., McCulloch, M., Quade, J. 2002. Sourcing sediment using multiple tracers catchment of Lake Argyle, northwestern Australia. Environmental Management 29 (5), 634-646.
WBISPP. 2002. Manual for Woody Biomass Inventory and Strategic Planning Project, Ministry of Agriculture, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
White, P., Butcher, D., Labadz, J. 1997. Reservoir sedimentation and catchment sediment yield in the Strines catchment, UK. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth 22, 321-328.
Zegeye, A.D., Steenhuis, T.S., Blake, R.W., Kidnau, S., Collick, A.S., Dadgari, F. 2010. Assessment of soil erosion processes and farmer perception of land conservation in Debre Mewi watershed near lake Tana, Ethiopia. Ecohydrology and Hydrobiology 0, 297-306.
Zeleke, G. 2000. Landscape dynamics and soil erosion process modeling in the North-Western Ethiopian Highlands. African Studies Series A 16, Geographica Bernensia Berne, Switzerland.
Zhang, G.-H., Liu, G.-B., Wang, G.-L. 2010. Effects of Caragana Korshinskii Kom cover on runoff, sediment yield and nitrogen loss. International Journal of Sediment Research 25, 245-257.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
The authors retain copyright of articles and authorize Cuadernos de Investigación Geográfica / Geographical Research Letters the first publication. They are free to share and redistribute the article without obtaining permission from the publisher as long as they give appropriate credit to the editor and the journal.
Self-archiving is allowed too. In fact, it is recommendable to deposit a PDF version of the paper in academic and/or institutional repositories.
It is recommended to include the DOI number.
This journal is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
