Physicochemical and biological characterization of the Gilgel Gibe River basin: a tool for impact assessment study for the Gilgel Gibe Hydropower Dam construction

ABSTRACT

The physicochemical and faunal changes of the River Gilgel Give have been investigated from October 2003 to May 2004 in relation to economic activities along the basin.

Transformation of the land to dam led to removal and submergence of riparian vegetation. A remarkable decline in faunal diversity has been noted downstream of the Dam relative to the upstream sampling stations. Some households have been relocated. but many stayed in the buffer zone of the project interacting with the newly created artificial lake in the form of cattle grazing, cloth washing, bathing, drinking, farming, all of which is dangerous not only to themselves but to the project as well. Upstream of the Dam, Boye Water Treatment Plant has been constructed to provide drinking water for more than 100,000 inhabitants of Jimma town. Under present scenario where competing demands arise over the utilization of the water resource, the long term economic gains accrued by investment may be undone due to water resource degradation and loss of biodiversity. Policy measures and watershed level interventions to ensure sustainable use of the River Gilgel Gibe is presented in this document.

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