Library

Dear spate irrigation professionals, practitioners, all interested others,

This library strives to serve as a platform to disseminate and share our research findings, project reports and experiences in different aspects of spate irrigation system; technical, socio-economical, historical as well as policy and legislative aspects. Basically anything goes - we want to use this library as a source of original material on spate irrigation - irrespective of the topic or the quality of the language.

If you have useful material, you are kindly invited to submit your work to ahaile@metameta or info@metameta. When possible, please accompany your papers with a brief 100 to 200 words summary.

  • LIVESTOCK ECONOMY OF WADI MAWR (TIHAMA, YEMEN)

Detailed description of the history of Wadi Mawr and the linkage between crop production and livestock keeping. Read the document (4Mb)>>

  • DODOTA SPATE IRRIGATION SYSTEM (ARSI, ETHIOPIA)

Powerpoint with analysis of newly developed spate (semi-perennial) irrigation system in Oromia Regional State. See the PPT (4MB) >>

  • ON FARM ASSESSMENT DODOTA SPATE IRRIGATION SYSTEM (ARSI, ETHIOPIA)

Assessment of newly developed spate irrigation system, after first year of partial operation. Read the document 1.5 Mb>>

  • POLICY PAPER ON SPATE IRRIGATION IN BALOCHISTAN (PAKISTAN)

Policy paper by Shahid Ahmed on sailaba (spate irrigation) and khuskaba (sheet flow) agriculture in Balochistan - part of the Water for All series. Read the document>>>

  • SPATE IRRIGATION IN TANZANIA (CASE)

Short description of spate irrigation system in Tanzania. Read the document >>>

  • CASE STUDY FROM CENTRAL ETHIOPIA.  Description of Spate Irrigation and Water Harvesting in Kobo (North Wello) by Ethiopian Rain Water Harvesting Network.  Read the document>>>
  • CASE STUDY FROM NORTHERN ETHIOPIA

Critical review of work on spate irrigation in Tigray/ Afar Regions. Read the document>>>

  • DESIGNS FOR IMPROVED FIELD STRUCTURES

Designs by the Water Resources Research Institute (Pakistan) on improved field to field structures and field inlets. These design introduced on pilot base in DI Khan and DG Khan were very popular and particularly the field inlets were copied by farmers, as they solved a major problem (i.e who prevent water from flowing out of the inlet after irrigation). The field to field structures prevented uncontrolled field scour and damage to downstream fields. View the design>>>

  • THE BOLTON SETTLEMENT REPORT (PAKISTAN)

In 1908 land and water rights in DI Khan were settled by H. Bolton. To date this is the authorative source on the spate water rights in this area. Read the document >>>

  • EXAMPLE OF FEASIBILITY REPORT - CHANDIA (PAKISTAN)

Example of a feasibility studie for a modernized system in Balochistan. The system was later built at a cost of USD 5 Million (but did not function well). The feasibility report however is a systematic collection of information for the scheme. Read part 1> Read part 2>

  • SMART WATER HARVESTING SOLUTIONS

Well-illustrated pocket guide to large range of water harvesting techniques, prepared by the Netherlands Water Partnership, including reference to spate irrigation - but many other techniques as well. Read the full document (3 MB) >>>

  • LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE EASTERN LOWLANDS PROJECT (ERITREA)

Lessons from the IFAD supported spate modernization project in Wadi Laba and Mai Ule in the Eastern Lowlands of Eritrea. Read the document>>>

  • KAHA HILL TORRENT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (PAKISTAN)

Presentation of work of NESPAK in the Kaha Hill Torrent in DI Khan (Punjab)- where a series of minor improved traditional structures where put in place with very high cost effectiveness. See the PPT >>>

  • HYDROLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF WADI ZABID

Hydrological analysis (IIP Working Paper) on Wadi Zabid, but also information on other emphemeral rivers in Yemen. Read the full document >>>

  • HISTORY OF DARABAN ZAM (PAKISTAN)

Describes the development of spate irrigation and the water rights and water management system in the Daraban Zam, one of the larger ephemeral river systems in DI Khan, NWFP, Pakistan. Read the full document >>>

  • FINAL REVIEW OF THE SPATE IRRIGATION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (YEMEN)

Internal review of the extensive IIP project, working on improved infrastrucuture, agronomy and farmers participation. Read the full document in Arabic (3 Mb) >>>

  • EXPERIENCE WITH IMPROVED DRINKING WATER PONDS IN DI KHAN (PAKISTAN)

Overview of work on improved surface drinking water ponds in DI Khan, supported by the Swiss Supported PLI project. Read the document>>>

  • DRINKING WATER FROM DRY RIVERS

Very useful manual by Erik Nissen-Pedersen on developing drinking water resources from ephemeral rivers, using subsurface dams or sand dams. Read the full document

  • IMPROVED GRAIN STORAGE

Work of VEER (DI Khan) managed to reduced grain storage losses with 6-20% using improved local stores and grain treatment. Read the document >>>

  • AGRONOMY AND WATER MANAGEMENT IN THE KACCHI PLAINS

This report is an excellent description of the spate irrigation based farming system in Kacchi Pakistan. Read the full document (note big file!)

  • RESULTS OF AGRONOMIC IMPROVEMENTS IN WADI ZABID (YEMEN).

Documents improvements in cotton and sorghum cultivation in Yemen under the IIP Project. Read the full document >>>

  • COTTON PRODUCTION

Extension brochure on cotton production based on work in Tihama (Yemen). Read the document in Arabic (3 Mb)>>>

  • AGRONOMY IN ERITREA

Very informative document describing the agronomic practices and possible improvements in Eritrea. Read the full document >>>

  • AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK IN DI KHAN (PAKISTAN)

Document on unique livestock breeds in spate irrigation and need to preserve the genetic stock. Read the document >>>

  • WUA CONTRACT PROCEDURES

    Another document from IIP describing how WUA can undertake small projects (within the framework of World Bank loan). Read the full document >>>

  • MANUAL PARTICIPATORY DESIGN

This document from the Irrigation Improvement Project outlines the steps for participatory design. The IIP worked on improved spate irrigation in two wadis in Yemen. Read full document>>>

  • WATER RIGHTS IN WADI ZABID AND WADI TUBAN (English)

This document describes the water rights in two of the main ephemeral rivers systems in coastal Yemen. Read full document

  • WATER RIGHTS IN WADI ZABID AND WADI TUBAN (Arabic)

This document describes the water rights in two of the main ephemeral rivers systems in coastal Yemen. Read the full document>>>

  • DYNAMICS OF SPATE IRRIGATION

A nice introduction into the subject, prepared by SOS-FAIM, with useful references to their work in the Western Lowlands in Eritrea (Gash-Barka). Read the document in English >>> Read the document in French>>>Read the document in Spanish>>>

This document reports on a study done on water rights and water distribution systems as part of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation-Inter Cooperation (SDC-IC) project working for livelihood improvement and Non-formal Education for girls in D.I.Khan, the North Western Frontier Province, Pakistan. Its main tenets include assessment of past and present systems of water distribution; the visions of communities about governance of spate (flood) irrigation; analyses of the prime driving factors for the deterioration of flood irrigation systems in the project site and what alternative remedial measure exist.

Read the full article (pdf 384 kb)

  • BY-LAWS FOR IRRIGATION COUNCILS (YEMEN).
    This text, made available by the Irrigation Improvement Project, describes the organizational framework for the Irrigation Councils, that are expected to manage spate water management at the coastal wadi systems.
    Read the full article (pdf 384 kb) >>
  • CONSTITUTION OF THE SHEEB FARMERS ASSOCIATION (ERITREA)

The Sheeb Farmers Association was based on the traditional organization and was set up to manage the spate irrigation system and infrastructure in Wadi Laba and Mai Ule in Eritrea. This is the constitution Read the document >>>

  • ROD-KOHI SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT IN PAKISTAN – A NATIONAL PROJECT
    The final report of the eight year long research project on spate irrigation in Pakistan by Water Resources Research Institute - describing spate systems (also called Rod Kohi) in the various provinces and practical research results on improved water management at canal and field level, on agronomic measures and on improved drinking water supply in the spate areas.
    Read the full report (pdf 779 kb) >>
  • WATER GOVERNANCE IN GASH SPATE SYSTEM (SUDAN)
    The Gash irrigation scheme is located in Kassala province, East of the Republic of the Sudan. This large irrigation scheme of 100 000 ha was set up by the government in the 1920s to settle poor nomadic people into a cash economy growing cotton. The scheme went into serious decline in the 1970s, and further drought spells and security problems have led to increased pressure on meagre resources.
    Read the full article (pdf 110 kb) >>
  • GASH SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS REGENERATION PROJECT
    A description of the Gash Sustainable Livelihoods Regeneration Project in Sudan. The project basically  aims to arrest the deterioration of local livelihoods by : i) land tenancy reform so that land access is equitable, secure, and for viable plot sizes; ii) managing the flood water to suit 3 key purposes of farming, filling of water earth tanks (hafirs) at the end of the irrigation canal for animal drinking (livestock raising is a more important and preferred activity than farming), filling of the balags or the forest plots that collect the excess flood water.  iii) devolution of spate water and land management to users' organizations.
    Read the full article (pdf 292 kb) >>
  • COMMUNITY SPATE IRRIGATION IN BADA (ERITREA)
    Bada is one of the eleven potential sites of spate irrigation in the Eastern Lowlands in Eritrea , irrigating in a god year up to an estimated 2000 ha . This paper describes the traditional organization and spate diversion structures. It analyses the techniques used in diversion and field water management and makes an assessment of the costs involved.
    Read the full article (pdf 537 kb) >>
  • FLOOD WATER SPREADING IN IRAN

Under the large flood water spreading experiment in Iran flood water is spread over the alluvial fan - to build up soils, to recharge groundwater and to provide spate irrigation. Read the full document>>>

  • EVALUATION OF SORGHUM VARIETIES

Document on the multi-facetted evaluation of sorghum varieties - based on work in Eritrea. Read the document>>>

  • GUAR
    Guar or clusterbean is a fascinating crop grown in spate system in
    Pakistan. the applications of guar gum travel far - as non calory binding
    agent it is used in diary industry and a drilling fluid in the oil
    industry. Read the full article >>
  • STUDY OF SOIL MOISTURE
    Soil moisture management is very critical to high performance in spate irrigation. This study discusses soil moisture in two spate irrigation areas in the eastern lowlands of Eritrea.
    Read the full article (pdf 726 kb) >>
  • IMPROVING SPATE IRRIGATION SYSTEMS: GLOBAL EXPERIENCES
    Over the past three decades spate irrigation development has been supported under a range of national and international programs.
    Read the full article >>
  • SPATE IRRIGATION IN ERITREA
    In contrast to other countries spate irrigation is a relatively new phenomenon in Eritrea. The area presently under spate irrigation (assessed at 14,000 ha) is a fraction of the area that can be developed (estimated by various sources between 60,000 to 90,000 ha). As elsewhere in this region the area under spate irrigation is increasing....
    Read the full article >>
  • SPATE IRRIGATION IN NORTH WEST FRONTIER PROVINCE OF PAKISTAN
    spate irrigation in north west frontier province has a long history, but is
    now also under threat by new water developments..
    Read the full article (pdf 349 kb) >>
  • SPATE IRRIGATION IN SINDH, PAKISTAN
    The traditional spate (flood) irrigation network in Sindh involves the construction of a temporary structure one to three meters high locally called lath or Bund....
    Read the full article >>
  • A NOTE ON SUPPORTING FARMER MANAGED SOIL BUNDS SYSTEMS IN THE KACCHI PLAINS 1984 - 1990
    The Kachhi plains in Balochistan , Pakistan are a fast alluvial plain, where most agriculture is based on spate irrigation. There has been relatively little external intervention in the area, basically because the nature of these sandy plains is such that it is difficult to invest in meaningful civil works.....
    Read the full article >>
  • WATER FROM SAND RIVERS
    A summary of paper on developing drinking water resources from ephemeral rivers...
    Read the full article (pdf 95 kb) >>
  • WATER SHARING AND CONFLICTS IN THE WADI LABA SPATE IRRIGATION SYSTEM, ERITREA
    The traditional Wadi Laba spate irrigation scheme is about a century old. The farmers use brushwood and stone structures to divert water. Spates frequently damage the structures. Their repair demands a collective labour and material input. In response to this, the farmers organized themselves into sub-groups, groups and committee.
    Read the full article (pdf, 264 kb) >>
  • POVERTY, LIVELIHOOD RISKS AND COPIES STRATEGIES IN SPATE IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
    Spate irrigation is mainly practiced in arid and semi-arid areas of the world, such as the Middle East, Northern and Western Africa, the Horn of Africa, South and Central Asia as well as parts of Latin America , where rainfall is too low for rainfed agriculture. Spate irrigation is a type of irrigation where flash floods with short duration coming from mountainous catchment areas are diverted from the riverbeds to irrigate arable land.
    Read part 1 (Introduction, Chapter 1 and Chapter 2) >>
    Read part 2 (Chapter 3) >>
    Read part 3 (Chapter 4) >>
    Read part 4 (Chapter 5 and Chapter 6) >>
    Read part 5 (Annex A and References) >>
  • RUNOFF SYSTEMS IN THE WESTERN LOWLANDS OF ERITREA
    This paper describes the principles and practices of the runoff irrigation systems in the western lowlands of Eritrea, their potentials, constraints and possible improvement interventions. Runoff irrigation is a method of irrigation that directs surface runoff induced by rainfall from upland areas which is discharged through streams to irrigate nearby fields in the lowlands..... >> Read the full article >>
  • SPATE IRRIGATION SYSTEMS AND WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT IN ERITREA - THE CASE OF THE SHEEB WATERSHED
    This paper describes the interactions of the Spate Irrigation System (SIS) in Eritrea with their upper watersheds, as a case study in Sheeb watershed. The spate irrigation practices, among others, include techniques to harvest runoff water, sediments, and nutrients.... >> Read the full article >>
  • LAND SUITABILITY SYSTEM FOR SPATE IRRIGATION SYSTEMS - THE CASE OF THE SHEEB SPATE IRRIGATION SYSTEM
    Spate irrigation is a system used for wetting land prior to planting. Use is made of seasonal rivers (wadis) producing flash floods in the highlands, which are diverted by structures to irrigate fields in the lowlands.... >> Read the full article >>
  • TENTATIVE LESSONS LEARNED
    For several decades, national governments with the financial support of international donors (i.e. World Bank, OECF, EC and IFAD) have developed and implemented projects aimed at the rehabilitation and improvement of existing spate irrigation systems..... >> Read the full article >>
  • CODIFICATION OF SPATE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN WADI TUBAN, YEMEN
    This document contains the translation of the spate management practices in Wadi Tuban in Yemen. They were drawn up in 1950, when the Sultan of Lahj held sway in the area. Central to the management of the system was the Agricultural Council. Later the rules were changed and new local bodies came in place. Till today the Irrigation Council is active in Wadi Tuban. This document gives a detailed account of local water governance in spate system at the time and may be used to reflect on local institutional arrangements in other spate systems as well...... >> Read the full article >>
  • FARMERS AND GOVERNMENT IN SPATE IRRIGATION IN BALOCHISTAN
    This paper discusses the management of spate irrigation in Balochistan (Pakistan). It discusses the role of the government, particular in financing construction, operation and maintenance of the spate systems; it discusses the role of organized farmers in these functions; and pays special attention to enabling laws, and their effectiveness, for enforcing rights to spate water and for formalizing farmer organizations. It concludes with a perspective on improved participatory management of spate irrigation systems in Balochistan.... >> Read the full article >>
  • SPATE IRRIGATION IN ETHIOPIA
    Spate irrigation has developed in several semi-arid areas of Ethiopia. Whereas some spate systems seem to have been in use for several generations, in other areas spate irrigation has developed recently – in response to the increased pressure on land and water resources and an erratic rainfall pattern… >> Read the full article >>
  • FLOOD IRRIGATION IN THE KORAKAN RIVER, BALOCHISTAN (BUND CONSTRUCTION IN A DEGRADING REIVER BED)
    For many communities along the Korakan river, this water course was an important source to irrigate their fields with its flood water. As the result of the degradation process, 6 collective bunds cannot be rebuilt by the farmers/water users any more, because the river bed has become too wide and/or too deep at the site of the previous bunds. The water users of Madagan I bund and Jamak bund are only capable to rebuild their bund due to the access to free bulldozer hours… >> Read the full article >>
  • OVERVIEW OF NON-MODERNIZED SPATE-IRRIGATION SYSTEMS IN YEMEN
    This report discusses the non-modernized spate irrigation systems in Yemen. There was a surge of spate development projects in Yemen in the 1980’s. A large number of spate systems were ‘modernized’ – particularly in the Tihama Plains and around Aden. The modernization consisted of the construction of permanent diversion weirs, the excavation and sometimes lining of canals and land leveling. For several reasons there is a need to reassess and reappreciate the traditional methods of diversion of spates.It first gives an overview of the wadi systems in Yemen. It then discusses two types of traditional systems – one that uses non-permanent structures for diversion and one that uses traditional permanent structures. It next discusses the organization around these systems – the water rights and the operation and maintenance. It concludes with a short overview of the predominant crops in the spate systems in the country..
    Read part 1 of this article (Pdf-file 312 kb) >>
    Read part 2 of this article (Pdf-file 659 kb) >>
    Read part 3 of this article (Pdf-file 1013 kb) >>
    Read part 4 of this article (Pdf-file 853 kb) >>
    Read part 5 of this article (Pdf-file 288 kb) >>
  • DO'S AND DONT'S IN SPATE IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT: THE CASE OF ROD-E-KANWANH
    This document comes from the land settlement in Teshil (subdistrict) Sanghar in Dera Ghazi Khan district in Pakistan. It describes the water rights and agreed water management practices on the Kawanh spate river (Rod-e-Kanwanh). The practices were documented in the shape of do’s and don’ts during the settlement of 1918/1919 and give a detailed account of the do’s and don’ts with respect to the construction of structures, the distribution of water and the organization of work… >> Read the full article >>
  • IMPROVING COMMUNITY SPATE IRRIGATION
    Spate irrigation is a type of river management that is unique to semi-arid environments. It is found in the Middle East, North Africa, West Asia, East Africa and parts of Latin America. Globally it is believed that the area under spate irrigation may add up to 6 Million hectares. Read the pdf file >>
  • AMÉLIORER L’IRRIGATION PAR CRUE COMMUNAUTAIRE
    L'irrigation par crue est un type de gestion des eaux fluviales qui est unique aux environnements semi-arides. On le trouve au Moyen-Orient, en Afrique du Nord, en Asie occidentale, en Afrique de l'Est et dans certains régions de l'Amérique latine. On estime que l’irrigation par crue couvre environ 6 millions de hectares dans le monde entier.
    Read the pdf file >>
  • SPATE IRRIGATION IN PAKISTAN: Problems and Prospects.
    By: Karim Nawaz and Muhammed Usman Qazi. Pakistan being an environmentally diverse yet largely arid country, depends heavily on irrigated agriculture both at the market as well as subsistence economy. The practice of irrigation is ancient in this part of the world and the local communities have been developing and managing indigenous systems of irrigation for millennia.... >> Read the full article >>
  • THE POLITICS OF BULLDOZERS IN BALOCHISTAN
     By topography Balochistan is plateau region where many valleys are situated throughout the province. Except for some of its plain areas rest of country is mountainous region with very less vegetation. The land topography is highly uneven and in highlands.... >> Read the full article >>
  • ECOLOGY OF SPATE IRRIGATION
    Ephemeral rivers are often unexpectedly rich depositories of vegetation. Spates collect seeds from a large part of the catchment and deposit them in the river bed and flood irrigated fields. The moist and often organic-rich layers of silt provide a favourable.... >> Read the full article >>
  • WATER RIGHTS AND WATER DISTRIBUTION RULES
    Unpredictability is inherent to spate irrigation, yet water distribution rules regulate the distribution of the unpredictable water supplies. They impose a pattern and reduce uncertainty and potential conflict by regulating the relations between the landowners that have access to flood water.... >> Read the full article >>
   

 

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