Shabelle River

Challenges and solutions

Robbert van der Steeg, WOCCA

Source: SWALIM

El Nino in 2015• Flash floods• High water level• Preparedness at

regional level• Drought in parts of

Ethiopia• Weak points were

mapped

Perception of the people• Loss of productive assets and sometimes lives• Flood frequency increases• Past measures: dredging, maintenance of canals and

embankments• Solutions:

– Strengthening river Embankment– De-silting of the River Bed– Preposition of Sand Bags at village Level– Continuous recording of the River Level – Rehabilitation of Sabun/FAO canal and Chinese Canal that can

reduce the risk of Floods.

Characteristics of the River

• Lots of sedimentation• Serves irrigation system since 1925 (Weir)• Limited maintenance since the war started• Concrete intakes but many are done with

sandbags (although diminishing)• Floods are increasing in frequency• Floods can also be caused by overflowing of

the embankment

Sedimentation

Photo GSA/YME

Weir

Irrigation system and flood relief canal

Information source: MottMacDonald

Solutions

• Higher embankments• Higher embankments further away from the

river• Restoration of the flood relief system• Dredging

Embankment improvement

Irrigation system and flood relief canal

Information source: MottMacDonald

Dredging

Thank you