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abstract 624

Temporal Flow Variations: A Challenge for Surface Water Management in Tanzania

Author(s): Patrick Valimba
Patrick VALIMBA Department of Water Resources Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering and the Built Environment, College of Engineering and Technology, University of Dar Es Salaam, P.O. Box 35131, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. E-mail: pvalimba@hotmail.

Keyword(s): River flows, flow seasonality, multi-year variability, water resources management

Article:

Poster:

Session: Poster session 3

AbstractMonthly river

flows in rivers within selected catchments in two different climatological zones in Northeast Tanzania were

investigated to highlight the changes in distribution of river flows over the years. Decadal average monthly flows were

computed for the 1950s through 1990s and assessed to highlight changes in the distribution of flow volumes within

the year while trend analysis was used to highlight changes of monthly flows over the years. Results indicated

progressive amplification of flow peaking in May, declining and shifted low flows from February to March since the

1970s and progressive declining mean annual flows, although some isolated years of the opposite sign were

observed within the decades. Trends indicated predominantly declining dry season flows and augmenting peak wet

season flows between the 1950s and 1990s. This situation has strong implications to water resources management in

the three river basins (Pangani, Sigi and Umba) in Northeast Tanzania where conflicts related to periodic water

scarcity are increasing. It therefore calls for the need of conservation of abundant wet season flows to cater for

increasing multi-sectoral water requirements during the dry season while addressing issues of water provision for

ecosystem needs.

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Temporal Flow Variations: A Challenge for Surface Water Management in Tanzania