20 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 10 of 20
Working Paper Hydrology and Water Resources Development in the Olifants River Catchment(2004) McCartney, Matthew; Yawson, Daniel K.; Magagula, T. F.; Seshoka, J."In terms of the national economy, the Olifants River (one of the major tributaries of the Limpopo River) is one of the country's most significant waterways. Approximately 3,400,000 people live in its catchment, with a considerable concentration of South Africa's industrial and agricultural activities. It is one of the first in South Africa for which a Catchment Mangement Agency (CMA) is planned. However, there are considerable inequities in urban-domestic water consumption between different areas of the catchment, varying from 47 litres per day in the former homelands, to 183 liters per day in areas where the majority of the white population live. This report examines the expected demands for water resources in the next 20 years, the difficulties that have arisen due to a lack of integrated management, and recommends that further research should be undertaken to provide insights into the implications of water conservation and demand management strategies, and a range of factors that affect inter-sectoral water utilization."Working Paper Application of the Water Evaluation And Planning (WEAP) Model to Assess Future Water Demands and Resources in the Olifants Catchment, South Africa(2007) Arranz, Roberto; McCartney, Matthew"Being able to assess the ability of a catchment to satisfy potential water demands is crucial for water resource planning. In this study, a scenario analysis approach was used in combination with the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) model, to assess the impacts of possible future demands on the water resources of the Olifants River catchment, South Africa. The WEAP model was used to simulate water demand in five different sectors; rural, urban, mining, commercial forestry and irrigation. For each scenario the model provided data on unmet demands and the impacts on river flow. The implications of construction of new water infrastructure and improved demand management were assessed. The study illustrates the value of scenarios linked to simple modeling tools, to provide insight for resource planning."Journal Article Digging, Damming or Diverting? Small-scale Irrigation in the Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia(2012) Eguavoen, Irit; Derib, Sisay Demeku; Deneke, Tilaye Teklewold; McCartney, Matthew; Otto, Ben Adol; Billa, Saeed Seidu"The diversity of small-scale irrigation in the Ethiopian Blue Nile basin comprises small dams, wells, ponds and river diversion. The diversity of irrigation infrastructure is partly a consequence of the topographic heterogeneity of the Fogera plains. Despite similar social-political conditions and the same administrative framework, irrigation facilities are built, used and managed differently, ranging from informal arrangements of households and 'water fathers' to water user associations, as well as from open access to scheduled irrigation. Fogera belongs to Ethiopian landscapes that will soon transform as a consequence of large dams and huge irrigation schemes. Property rights to land and water are negotiated among a variety of old and new actors. This study, based on ethnographic, hydrological and survey data, synthesises four case studies to analyse the current state of small-scale irrigation. It argues that all water storage options have not only certain comparative advantages but also social constraints, and supports a policy of extending water storage 'systems' that combine and build on complementarities of different storage types instead of fully replacing diversity by large dams."Working Paper A Participatory Approach for Hydrometeorological Monitoring in the Blue Nile River Basin of Ethiopia(2014) Zemadim, Birhanu; McCartney, Matthew; Langan, Simon; Sharma, Bharat"Participatory research is increasingly recognized as being useful for conducting multiple activities in research for development projects. The co-learning environment created in participatory research helps to identify existing social and technological gaps, and develop possible solutions to improve the livelihoods of rural communities. This report describes a participatory approach used in the establishment and implementation of hydrometeorological monitoring networks in the Blue Nile River Basin of Ethiopia. The networks were established with the involvement of rural communities and other stakeholders to gain insights into the hydrological processes of the watersheds, in order to improve rainwater management strategies. Local people were involved in the day-to-day management and maintenance of the networks. The participatory approach proved beneficial for several reasons, not least, because it instilled trust and goodwill amongst the communities."Conference Paper Comprehensive Options Assessment: The Pongolo(2003) McCartney, Matthew; Janganyi, Joan; Mkhize, Sizwe"The Pongolopoort dam, which impounds the water of the Ponogolo River in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, was built in the 1970s to provide water for irrigation. The dam is located where the river flows through a narrow gorge between the Lebombo and Ubombo mountain ranges, close to the border with Swaziland. Immediately downstream of the dam, a broad alluvial plain, known as the Pongolo Floodplain, extends from the dam to the confluence of the Pongolo and Usutu Rivers, close to the border with Mozambique. Within Mozambique, the river is known as the Rio del Maputo. The river gradient through the Pongolo Floodplain, which is approximately 130 km2 in extent, is just 0.033 m km-1. The floodplain is one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in South Africa. It comprises the meandering river and a highly heterogeneous complex of lagoons, ox-bow lakes, abandoned river channels, marshes, levees and floodplain grassland, which provide habitat for a wide range of birds and animals."Working Paper Minimizing the Negative Environmental and Health Impacts of Agricultural Water Resources Development in Sub-Saharan Africa(2007) McCartney, Matthew; Boelee, Eline; Cofie, Olufunke O.; Mutero, Clifford M."This paper provides a synopsis of environmental and health impacts arising from agricultural water development in sub-Saharan Africa and recommends ways to increase the sustainability of investments in irrigation by giving greater prominence to health and environmental concerns. The paper presents a conceptual framework for considering environmental and health issues in tandem; reviews current environmental and health assessment tools; describes national and donor policies; and analyzes current constraints to successful environmental and health planning and management. On the basis of findings, it makes recommendations to improve planning and management across a range of scales. The recommendations are of relevance to both water and agricultural planners and are timely, in the light of recent calls for significant increases in irrigation investment as a contribution to achieving the Millennium Development Goals."Working Paper Inventory of Water Storage Types in the Blue Nile and Volta River Basins(2010) Johnston, Robyn M.; McCartney, Matthew"For agriculture there is a continuum of water storage options, ranging from groundwater aquifers, soil water, natural wetlands and small ponds and tanks to large reservoirs. In any situation each of these has its own niche in terms of technical feasibility, socioeconomic sustainability and impact on public health and the environment. Planning storage requires insight into impending needs and also a good understanding of what already exists and what was, and was not, successful, in the past. This report provides an inventory of existing and prospective water storage in the Ghanaian Volta and the Ethiopian Blue Nile basins. It provides as much quantitative data as possible, but highlights both the dearth of readily available information and the lack of integrated planning of storage in both basins. Recommendations are made for improved planning in the future."Working Paper Agricultural Water Storage in an Era of Climate Change: Assessing Need and Effectiveness in Africa(2013) Rebelo, Lisa-Maria; McCartney, Matthew; Xenarios, Stefanos; Smakhtin, Vladimir"By mitigating the vagaries of climate variability, agricultural water storage is widely anticipated to make a key contribution to climate change adaptation in Africa. However, if the planning of water storage is not improved, it is likely that many investments will fail to fully deliver intended benefits. This report describes the agricultural water storage continuum and some of the possible implications of climate change. A simple diagnostic tool which can be used to provide a rapid evaluation of the need and effectiveness of different water storage options, under existing and possible future climate conditions, is presented."Working Paper Flexible Water Storage Options and Adaptation to Climate Change(2008) McCartney, Matthew; Smakhtin, Vladimir; de Fraiture, Charlotte; Bekele Awulachew, Seleshi"Water storage has a vital role to play in improving global food security and building for resilience for adaptation to climate change. A wide range of storage options are available, each with strengths and weaknesses. Because of the uncertainty associated with climate change, planners need to focus on flexibility in storage systems and give careful consideration to the effectiveness and suitability of different storage types."Working Paper Evaluation of Historic, Current and Future Water Demand in the Olifants River Catchment, South Africa(2007) McCartney, Matthew; Arranz, Roberto"Water resource development has played a significant role in the expansion of agriculture and industry in the Olifants River Catchment. However, currently water deficit is one of the major constraints hampering development in the catchment; both the mining and agricultural sectors are producing below optimal levels because of their reliance on insufficient supplies. In this study, the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) model was used to evaluate scenarios of historic, current and future water demand in the catchment. For each scenario, the WEAP model was used to simulate demand in five different sectors (rural, urban, mining, commercial forestry and irrigation) over a 70-year period of varying rainfall and hydrology. Levels of assured supply were estimated for each sector and the economic cost of failing to provide water was predicted. For the future scenarios, the impact of infrastructure development and water conservation measures were assessed. The study illustrates how a relatively simple model can provide useful insight for resource planning and management."