Browsing by Author "Cour, Julien"

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From Integrated to Expedient: An Adaptive Framework for River Basin Management in Developing Countries
(2007) Lankford, Bruce; Merrey, Douglas J.; Cour, Julien; Hepworth, Nick
"The authors reflect on the theory and process of creating effective strategies for adaptive river basin management. We formulate our framework from observations of responses to environmental and hydrological change in the Great Ruaha River in Tanzania. We find that problems occur in the pursuit of 'integrated water resources management' (IWRM) that can be attended to by applying a focused expedient approach in three states of the water availability regime: 'critical water', 'medial water' and 'bulk water'. In particular, less reliance on broad generic 'principles' and greater reference to solutions being drawn up by local resource users in relation to identified conflicts helps guide adaptive problem solving."
Local Water Management of Small Reservoirs: Lessons from Two Case Studies in Burkina Faso
(2011) Sally, Hilmy; Lévite, Hervé; Cour, Julien
"Burkina Faso is actively pursuing the implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in its development plans. Several policy and institutional mechanisms have been put in place, including the adoption of a national IWRM action plan (PAGIRE) and the establishment so far of 30 local water management committees (Comités Locaux de lEau, or CLE). The stated purpose of the CLE is to take responsibility for managing water at sub-basin level. The two case studies discussed in this paper illustrate gaps between the policy objective of promoting IWRM on one hand, and the realities associated with its practical on-the-ground implementation on the other. A significant adjustment that occurred in practice is the fact that the two CLE studied have been set up as entities focused on reservoir management, whereas it is envisioned that a CLE would constitute a platform for sub-basin management. This reflects a concern to minimise conflict and optimally manage the countrys primary water resource and illustrates the type of pragmatic actions that have to be taken to make IWRM a reality. It is also observed that the local water management committees have not been able to satisfactorily address questions regarding access to and allocation of water though they are crucial for the satisfactory functioning of the reservoirs. Water resources in the reservoirs appear to be controlled by the dominant user. In order to correct this trend, measures to build mutual trust and confidence among water users 'condemned' to work together to manage their common resource are suggested, foremost of which is the need to collect and share reliable data. Awareness of power relationships among water-user groups and building on functioning, already existing formal or informal arrangements for water sharing are key determinants for successful implementation of the water reform process underway."
Water Demand Management Scenarios in a Water-Stressed Basin in South Africa
(2002) Lévite, Hervé; Sally, Hilmy; Cour, Julien
"Like the majority of the river basins in South Africa, water resources in the Olifants River Basin are almost fully allocated. Respecting the so-called 'reserve' (water flow reservation for basic human needs and the environment) imposed by the new Water Law adds a further dimension, if not difficulty, to water resources management in the basin, especially during the dry periods. Decision makers and local stakeholders, who will soon be called upon to work together in a decentralized manner within catchment management agencies, must therefore be able to get a rapid and simple understanding of the water balances at different levels in the basin. The Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) model and its application to the Steelpoort sub-basin of the Olifants are presented in this paper. This model allows the simulation and analysis of various water allocation scenarios and, above all, scenarios of users’ behavior. Water demand management is one of the options discussed in more detail here. Simulations are proposed for diverse climatic situations from dry years to normal years and results are discussed. It appears that quality of data (in terms of availability and reliability) is very crucial and must be dealt with carefully and with good judgment. Secondly credible hypotheses have to be made about water uses (losses, return flow) if the results are to be meaningfully used in support of decision-making. The ease of use of the model and its user-friendly interfaces make it particularly useful for discussions and dialogue on water resource management among stakeholders; it can also be used to promote greater awareness and understanding of key issues and concerns among the public."