Gradient profile analysis of the blue nile (Abbay)river: a natural resource development perspective
2004
Mulugeta Feseha (Institute of Development Research, Addis Ababa (Ethiopia).Department of Geology and Geophysics)
A systematic gradient profile analysis of the Abbay River that forms the Ethiopian portion of the Blue Nile River is made to assess the potential of the river for irrigation and hydroelectric power development. The analysis was carried out by using Arc View GIS 3.2 software, digital elevation model (DEM), topographic maps, and factual field data. In this paper, the gradient of a river is used as a tool to identify potential sites for irrigation and hydroelectric power. The gradient value is computed from contours produced from the DEM by dividing the change in elevation between two successive 20 m contour intervals by the lateral distance. The contour values of the DEM have been crosschecked for accuracy against those produced by the Ethiopian Mapping Agency. The results indicate that there are three low gradient areas that are potential sites for irrigation development, and five high gradient areas that offer potential sites for hydroelectric power generation. This technique can be extended to explore potential sites for irrigation development and hydroelectric power generation for the tributaries and headwaters of the Abbay River System and other river systems.
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