Hydrologic budget and decision support system for Lake Kyoga basin.
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Date
2000
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
This project was conducted with the aim of looking at the major basin hydrologic processes and with a view towards investigating the role or importance of the different hydrologic variables in the Lake Kyoga basin and their likely impact on them by man, through agricultural irrigation. To achieve these, hydrologic records from 19 river gauging stations (RGS) and rainfall records from ten meteorological stations were processed and analysed. Other meteorological data from 5 other stations were analysed and used to determine evapotranspiration process in the basin. A spatial and temporal analysis of the key processes was done and results show a marked variation in runoff. Generally, it is found that catchments from south-eastern part of the basin have a higher runoff depth and a lower coefficient of variation than catchments in the central and north-eastern parts of the basin. The water balance model was able to reproduce major rises and lows in the Lake Kyoga storage. Notable rises reproduced were that of 1961 – 1964 and 1998 – 1999 periods. The impact of agricultural irrigation on the water level was found not to be significant. However, rice irrigation could lead to critical scenario especially if other environmental factors are not carefully considered in the development of Rice irrigation. Flow releases from Owen Falls Dam determine the level and area of inundation in Lake Kyoga. An analysis of a single flow release reveals that an over release of more than 15% from the natural flow release as per the Operating Rule of the Dam, causes significant flooding. More research should be done in the area of evaporation, rainfall variability and impact of releases from the Owen Falls Dam on water levels of Lake Kyoga. Further research is also needed about the role of other environmental factors on the suitability of rice irrigation, within the context of available water resources in the basin.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF SB2998.U33O46 )
Keywords
Hydrology, Uganda, lake Kyoga Basis, Budgeting, Management
Citation
Okonga, J.R. (2000) Hydrologic budget and decision support system for Lake Kyoga basin, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam