Informations et ressources scientifiques
sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

Titre : Analysis of groundwater potential and interactions with surface water in the Sand River region, Mara Basin Kenya

Auteur : Wekesa, Sospeter Simiyu

Université de soutenance : UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Delft

Grade : Master of Science (MS) 2017

Résumé partiel
Economic development in the arid and semi-arid areas such as the Sand River region in the Middle Mara basin Kenya is limited by water availability. Typical to dryland areas, surface flows in the Sand River are highly variable due to erratic rainfall patterns. Surface water harvesting infrastructures such as earth/water pans are also not suitable for such a water scarce region due to high rates of evapotranspiration exceeding precipitation. Groundwater is an alternative source to support local water demand for livelihood improvement. However, high water demand for domestic, small scale irrigation and high livestock population in particular cannot be met by the infrastructure to extract deeper groundwater which requires high investment as well as maintenance costs. The ephemeral Sand River constitutes a potential alternative groundwater source in such a region where little knowledge concerning deeper groundwater exists. Water stored in the sand deposits can be exploited to allow availability all year around. With very little known about the alluvial corridors, traditional techniques such sand scooping are used to extract water from the sand layers. The main purpose of this research is to demonstrate the unexploited groundwater potential in the Sand River region, and the flow characteristics and dynamics in the river including interactions with surface water. It furthers seeks to highlight the existing groundwater dependent ecosystem and hypothesize perceived impacts with development. In general, the research seeks to establish whether sustainable groundwater utilization in support of local demand can be achieved in the Sand River region.

Sujets  : hydrogeochemistry groundwater surface water groundwater resources Kenya

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