Title: Results of Agronomic Improvements in Wadi Zabid (Yemen)
Author: Agronomy Consultant
Type: Document
Year: 2006
Description: Documents improvements in cotton and sorghum cultivation in Yemen under the IIP Project.
Title: Water-Rights and Water-Allocation Procedures of Farmers’ Managed Perennial Spate Irrigation Systems of Mithawan Watershed, D.G. Khan, Pakistan
Author: Munir Ahmad, Shahid Ahmad, Muhammad Awais
Type: Article
Year: 2007
Description: Water rights in the perennial flow in the spate irrigation systems of Pakistan
Title: Indigenous Water Harvesting Systems in Pakistan
Author: Shahid Ahmad
Type: Article
Year: 2000
Description: An extensive overview of water harvesting systems, especially spate systems in Pakistan.
Title: Policy Papers on Spate Irrigation in Balochistan (Pakistan): Policy Briefing and Document on cost effectiveness
Author: Shahid Ahmad & Dr. Abdul Ghaffar Khan
Type: Policy briefing
Year: 2007/2008
Description: Policy papers on sailaba (spate irrigation) and khuskaba (sheet flow) agriculture in Balochistan – part of the Water for All series.
Title: Case Study from Central Ethiopia
Author: Ephraim Alamerew
Type: Document
Description: Description of spate irrigation and water harvesting in Kobo (North Wello) by Ethiopian Rain Water Harvesting Network.
Title: Economic Viability of Acacia Ehrenbergiana Plantations
Author: Jaafar Hasan Alawi Al-Jeffri
Type: Document
Year: 2009
Description: Document describing the business viability of local commercial plantations of this acacia species, based on activities in Yemen – providing the opportunity to reverse the degradation of forest resources in this area.
Title: Establishment of WUA in Tihama (Pdf) and (Powerpoint)
Author: Jaafar Hasan Alawi Al-Jeffri
Type: Document and presentation
Year: 2011
Description: Establishment of Water Users Associations (WUAs) in the main Spate Irrigation Area in Tihama Region of Yemen.
Title: Agriculture and Livestock in DI Khan (Pakistan)
Author: Dr. M. Akmal & Dr. G. Habib
Type: Document
Year: 2002
Description: Document on unique livestock breeds in spate irrigation and need to preserve the genetic stock.
Title: Report on Tokar Spate Irrigation Area (Sudan)
Author: Ian McAllister Anderson
Type: Document
Year: 2008
Description: Description of one of the most difficult spate irrigated areas in the world -Tokar- in Sudan, which is under constant threat of mesquite infestation and sand dune formation.
Title: Findings from the Field (pdf file) and Findings from the Field (powerpoint)
Author: Ian McAllister Anderson for SOS Faim
Type: Document and presentation
Description: Two documents about spate irrigation in Gash Barka. The pdf file contains Google earth pictures of this area.
Title: Gates assessment
Author: Arcadis Eurconsult
Type: Document
Year: 2003
Description: Assessment of functioning of gates in spate systems of Wadi Zabid an Wadi Tuban (Yemen).
Title: Hydrological Analysis of Wadi Zabid
Author: Arcadis Euroconsult
Type: Document
Year: 2003
Description: Hydrological analysis (IIP Working paper) on Wadi Zabid, but also information on other emphemeral rivers in Yemen.
Title: Manual Participatory Design
Author: Arcadis Euroconsult
Type: Document
Year: 2004
Description: 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.
Title: Options for Improving Zabid Main Canals
Author: Arcadis Euroconsult
Type: Document
Year: 2003
Description: This paper identifies solutions for improving the main canal operation in the Zabid Area of Yemen. It identifies two sets of problems to focus on as priority: (a) sedimentation and (b) command problems in the head reach of canals. The paper also prescribes solutions to these problems and estimates the costs involved.
Title: WUA Contract Procedures
Author: Arcadis Euroconsult
Type: Document
Year: 2003
Description: Another document from IIP describing how WUA can undertake small projects (within the framwork of World Bank loan).
Title: Feasibility Study for Wadi Bana and Abyan Delta Development Project
Author: WS Atkins & Partners in association with Binnie & Partners
Type: Document
Year: 1984
Description: This document is a description of the proposed spate project in Wadi Bana (Yemen), including hydrology.
Title: Water Rights in Wadi Zabid and Wadi Tuban
Author: Awadh A. Bahamish
Type: Document
Year: 2004
Description: This document describes the water rights in two of the main ephermeral river systems in coastal Yemen.
Title: Do’s and Don’ts in Spate Irrigation Management: The Case of Rod-e-Kanwanh
Author: Allah Baksh et al.
Type: Article
Description: 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.
Title: Traditional Irrigation Systems & Methods of Water Harvesting English, Arabic.
Author: Salem Abdullah Baquhaizel
Type: Book
Year: 1996/printed edition 2011
Description: This book gives many practical insights in the sophisticated traditional spate irrigation techniques in this part of Yemen – such as conical abutments and traditional bed stablizers. Limited hard copies are available on request.
Title: Wadi Siham, Yemen, Development of Water Management
Author: Laura Bonzanigo & Cecilia Borgia
Type: MSc thesis
Year: 2009
Description: A thesis on water management and organization since modernization of the infrastructure.
Title: Spate breaker ELWDP PAD
Author: R. Camacho
Description: A note on Spate Breaker.
Title: Spate Irrigation in Konso
Author: R. F. Camacho
Type: Paper
Year: 2000
Description: This paper reviews the local knowledge and experience of spate irrigation and water spreading in Konso (SNNPR, Ethiopia)
Title: Diagnostic Study of Farming Systems in Baluchistan: Kacchi District
Author: Ian Mc Donald and associates Limited
Type: Document
Description: This report is an excellent description of the spate irrigation based farming systems in Kacchi, Pakistan
Title: Spate Irrigation in Fokisa (Ethiopia)
Author: Tesfa-alem Gebreegziabher Embaye
Type: MSc thesis
Year: 2009
Description: MSc thesis on sediment management and design of settling basins.
Title: Evaluation of Sorghum Varieties
Author: Kebrom Emun
Type: Document
Year: 2005
Description: Document on the multi-facetted evaluation of sorghum varieties – based on work in Eritrea.
Title: Estimation of the Operational and Maintenance Expenditures for Spate Irrigation Systems
Author: Dr. M. Al-Eryani et al.
Type: Background paper for PIM Seminar (Hudiedah, November 22-27, 1998)
Year: 1998
Description: Study on O & M budgetary requirements and actual budget allocations – and government-WUA shares.
Title: Social and organizational Aspects of the Operation and Maintenance of Spate Irrigation Systems in Yemen
Author: Dr. M. Al-Eryani and Mohammed Al-Amrani
Type: Paper
Year: 1998
Description: Study which aims to identify the role which the WUA’s could play in the Operation and Maintenance of spate irrigation systems, by assessing the field situation of existing systems.
Title: Recommentation and Lessons Learned from Rehabilitaion of Spate Irrigation systems in Guelmin Province (Morocco) (in French)
Author: FAO
Type: Document
Year: 2002
Description: Review of effect of rehabilitation works in Oum Laachar, Talmaadert, N’Tiktane and Id Daoud in terms of farm income, groundwater levels and environmental impact.
Title: Flood Water Spreading in Iran
Author: Fars Research Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources
Type: Document
Year: 2003
Description: 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.
Title: Rod Kohi Irrigation System – Concept, Mechanics, Problems and Development Proposals
Author: Aminullah Khan Gandapur
Type: Document
Description: Overview of the spate sysem in DI Khan and DG Khan with proposals for priority improvements.
Title: Community Spate Irrigation in Bada (Eritrea)
Author: Berhane Haile Gherbemariam
Type: Article
Description: Bada is one of the eleven potential sites of spate irrigation in the Eastern Lowlands in Eritrea, irrigating in a good year up to an estimated 2,000 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.
Title: Water spreading wears for the development of degraded dry river valleys
Author: GIZ and KfW
Type: Document
Description: This document describes the new approach involving the construction of water spreading weirs that was developed in recent years in the Sahel region, and thus to make it an attractive option for other semi-arid regions as well. It also provides the basis for a capacity development programme which is to be developed jointly by the participating national and international engineering firms.
Title: Draft tripartite agreement
Author: GSCP
Type: Agreement
Description: A draft agreement between the field units, benificiary farmers and local council for the construction of spate improvement works and rehabilitation of water structure.
Title: A Tradition in Transition: Sheeb Spate Irrigation System in Eritrea
Author: Abraham Mehari Haile
Type: PhD thesis
Year: 2007
Description: Thesis on all aspects of the Wadi Laba system – the management, water conservation and engineering interventions.
Title: RunOff Systems in the Western Lowalands of Eritrea
Author: Abraham Mehari Haile & Mehreteab Tesfai
Type: Paper
Description: 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 throught streams to irrigate nearby fields in the lowlands.
Title: Water Sharing and Conflicts in the Wadi Laba spate Irrigation System, Eritrea
Author: Abraham Mehari Haile et al.
Type: Article
Description: The traditional Wadi Laba spate irrigation scheme is about a century old. The farmser use brushwood and stone structures to divert water. Spates frequently damage the structures. Their repair demands a collective labour and material input. In respnse to this, the farmers organized themselves into subgroups, groups and committee.
Title: Case Study from Northern Ethiopia
Author: Mitiku Haile & Diress Tsegaye
Type: Document
Description: Critical review of work on spate irrigation in Tigray/Afar Regions.
Title: Study of Soil Moisture
Author: Debesom Haish
Type: Document
Year: 2003
Description: 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.
Title: Balochistan Minor Irrigation and Agricultural Development Project
Author: Sir William Halcrow & Partners Ltd
Type: Document
Year: 1993
Description: Example of thorough feasibility report for spate irrigation system development in Balochistan (Pakistan).
Title: Farmers Scheme Operation and Maintenance Manual (Marufzai Flood Irrigation System)
Author: Halcrow – Euroconsult – NESPAK – Techno consult
Type: Manual
Year: 2001
Description: Sample farmers manual for operation and maintenance arrangements regarding the flood water use in Marufzai Area, Pakistan.
Title: Balochistan Minor Irrigation and Agricultural Development Project
Author: Halcrow, Euroconsult
Year: 1992
Description: Proposed investigations, planning and design methods, and conceptual plans and designs for spate irrigation headworks and distribution works.
Title: Detailed Case Study of Various Aspects of Dodota System
Author: John Paul van den Ham
Type: MSc thesis
Year: 2008
Description: The Dodata system covers 5.000 ha and is in fact in between spate irrigation and semi perennial irrigation.
Title: Dodota Spate Irrigation System (Arsi, Ethiopia)
Author: John Paul van den Ham
Type: Powerpoint presentation
Description: Presentation with analysis of newly developed spate (semi-perennial) irrigation system in Oromia Regional State.
Title: Experience with Improved Drinking Water Ponds in DI Khan (Pakistan)
Author: Arshad Haroon
Type: Document
Description: Overview of work on improved surface drinking water ponds in DI Khan, supported by the Swiss Supported PLI project.
Title: Report Tihama Environment Protecting Project Sand Dune Stabilisation Programme (Aleolian sand formations of the Tihama-geomorphology and assessment of sand stabilisation programmes)
Author: Hunting Technical Services Ltd
Type: Report
Year: 1999
Description: Final report of the dune dynamics in the Tihama area – with sand dune formation being a constant threat to the spate command areas as well as the coastal date palm systems. The report describes nature and origins of dunes for both the coastal and inland areas; the nature of the wind directions in the Tihama an effect of dune movement on farming and pastoral communities and land use patterns.
Title: Water Governance in Gash Spate System (Sudan)
Author: IFAD
Type: Article
Year: 2004
Description: 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.
Title: Gash Sustainable Livelihoods Regeneration Project
Author: IFAD, Near East and North Africa Division
Type: Article
Year: 2003
Description: A description of the Gash Sustaineble Livelihoods Regeneration Project in Sudan. The project basically aims to arrest the deterioration of local livelihoods by: 1) land tenancy reform so that land access is equitable, secure, and for fiable plot sizes; 2) managing the flood water to suit 3 key purposes of farrming, filling of water earth tanks (hafirs) at the balags or the forest plots that collect the excess flood water; 3) devolution of spate water and land management to users’ organizations.
Title: Agro-forestry in Spate Irrigation in Tihama (Yemen) (in Arabic)
Author: ILEIA
Type: Document
Description: Documentation of agro-forestry and scope for improving and rehabilitation.
Title: Moisture Management in Eritrea (in Tigrinya)
Author: ILEIA
Type: Document
Description: Explanation of agronomic practices yielding to very high yields in Sheeb.
Title: History of Daraban Zam (Pakistan)
Author: Fahim Iqbal
Type: Document
Year: 2007
Description: Describes the development of spate irrigation and the water rights and water management system in Daraban Zam, one of the larger ephemeral river systems in DI Khan, NWFP, Pakistan.
Title: Preparation of Hill Torrent Management Plan in CRBC (Pakistan)
Author: Muhammad Yunus Javed et al.
Type: Document
Year: 2007
Description: The development of the perennial irrigation command of the Chasma Right Bank Canal at the tail of spate irrigation/rod kohi systems in DI Khan had many impact on the spate systems, socially and hydrologically. This consultants report to the ADB describes adjustments an mitigating measures as well as general lessons learned.
Title: Institutions under Certainty: Spate Irrigation Systems in Balochistan
Author: Muhammad Asif Kamran & Ganesh Prasad Shivakoti
Type: Paper
Year: 2009
Description: First paper of ongoing PhD Research discussing how different rule systems cope with and respond to uncertainty.
Title: On Farm Assessment Dodota Spate Irrigation System (Arsi, Ethiopia)
Author: Birhanu Kebebew & Mengistu Bose
Type: Document
Year: 2007
Description: Assessment of newly developed spate irrigation system, after first year of partial operation.
Title: Relationship between Energy Inputs and Crop Production in DI Khan District (Pakistan): Summary, Intro and review, Methodology, Projections, Results, References, Results continued
Author: Mohammad Azam Khan
Type: Thesis
Year: 1994
Description: Phd thesis comparing among others the use of tractors and animal traction in spate irrigation
Title: Growing Wheat in Spate Irrigation
Author: M. J. Khan et al.
Type: Document
Year: 2007
Description: Research by the Intercooperation team working in D. I. Kahn (Pakistan), making the case for improved field level water management.
Title: Community Spate Irrigation in Raya Valley: The Case of Three Spate Irrigation Systems and view the map: Map Raya Valley
Author: Haile Kidane
Type: Thesis
Year: 2009
Description: MSc thesis evaluating spate irrigation systems in Raya Valley.
Title:
Author: Komex
Type: Report
Year: 2001
Description: Report on groundwater study in southern part of Yemen.
Title: Flood Water Spreading and Flood Water Irrigation in Iran
Author: Mazda Kompanizare et al.
Type: Powerpoint presentation
Year: 2010
Description: Overview of the different techniques – engineering, earthworks, biophysical in Iran.
Title: Improving Community Spate Irrigation in English, in French
Author: Philip Lawrence & Frank van Steenbergen
Type: Flyer
Description: 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 six Million hectares.
Title: Managing Sedimentation
Author: Philip Lawrence
Type: Document
Description: Overview of current knowledge.
Title: Spate Irrigation in the Yemen Arab Republic
Author: Philip Lawrence
Type: Article
Year: 1986
Description: An article in the ODU-bulletin about spate irrigation in Yemen, published by the Overseas Development Unit of Hydraulics Research Ltd
Title: Pakistan Agricultural Research Council: Research Briefing Notes
Author: Sidra Majeed & Dr. Shahid Ahmad
Type: Note
Year: 2011
Description: Truffels, an unexploeited treasure in Pakistan; Issues and options.
Title: Spate Irrigation and Groundwater Irrigation in Sindh, Pakistan
Author: Behari Lal Meghwar
Type: MSc thesis
Year: 2009
Description: First MSc thesis on improving the productivity of the spate irrigation systems in Thana Boula Khan in the western area of Sindh.
Title: Spate Irrigation in Eritrea
Author: Mehari & Tesfai
Type: Article
Year: 2003
Description: 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…
Title: Effect of Uncontrolled High Floods in Emphemeral Rivers in Pakistan, Mirani Dam area and Hill torrent area of Sindh
Author: Naseer Memon
Type: Document
Year: 2007
Description: Two documents describing the flood damage in the Mirani Dam area (Balochistan) and in hill torrent area of Sindh.
Title: Documentation of Three New Spate Irrigation System in East Harrarghe (Ethiopia)
Author: Abebe Mengistu
Type: Document
Year: 2010
Description: Description of Harghetti, Bililo and Weltane systems in Mieso District -all recently becoming operational- with Weltane being farmer-developed and using receeding flow only.
Title: Water Harvesting and Spate Irrigation – Volume X (on farm management field manual)
Author: Ministry of Food, Agriculture & Livestock
Type: Manual
Year: 1996
Description: A practical guide to field staff on water harvesting, catchment management and soil conservation practices. It describes the application of a number of proposed strategies which can be used as part of an integrated catchment management plan in a typical sub catchment.
Title: Review of: Traditional Practices of O&M for Spate Schemes in Yemen
Author: Dr. Ismail Muharram
Type: Report
Year: 2012
Description: This report describes the study to review the current practices in Yemen relating to O&M of spate schemes by beneficiaries in the O&M costs within the framework of existing laws to ensure the O&M of spate schemes by beneficiaries/WUAs after completion.
Title: Spate Irrigation in Tanzania (case)
Author: M. L. Mul
Type: Document
Description: Short description of spate irrigation system in Tanzania.
Title: Spate Irrigation in Morocco (in French)
Author: Najlae Naser
Type: MSc thesis
Year: 2006
Description: Overview of the hydrology of Guelmim in South Morocco, including spate irrigation and groundwater abstraction.
Title: Gash Barka: Strengthening Farmer Management and Improving Agronomy (Eritrea)
Author: Karim Nawaz
Type: Document
Year: 2007
Description: Assessment of scope for improvements on these two fronts in the Small Scale River Diversion Project.
Title: Review of Spate Irrigation Development in Dera Ghazi Khan
Author: Karim Nawaz
Type: Review
Year: 2009
Description: Review of recent 27 Million USD spate irrigation investment programmes in DG Khan, Pakistan.
Title: Spate Irrigation in Pakistan: Problems and Prospects
Author: Karim Nawaz & Muhammed Usman Qazi
Type: Article
Description: Pakistan being and 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.
Title: Hydrology of Wabi Shebelle River
Author: Nedeco
Type: Document
Year: 1996
Description: Hydrology of Wabi Shebelle River in Eastern Ethiopia, said to have considerable scope for spate irrigation development.
Title: Feasibility Study on Hill Torrents Management Plan in CRBC Area in Dera Ghazi Khan District
Author: NESPAK
Type: Report
Year: 2005
Description: The main objective of the report was to strengthen the local economy through an increase in cultivated area, enchanced per acre yield and total crop production, flood protection of villages, infrastructure, and irrigation system and command area of CBRC, and minimize adverse effects on natural ecosystem and environment.
Title: Master Feasibility Studies for Flood Management of Hill Torrents of Pakistan Main Report and Supporting Volume V
Author: NESPAK
Type: Report
Year: 1998
Description: Basic framework for development of land and water resources of hill torrents of Pakistan.
Title: Drinking Water from Dry Rivers
Author: Erik Nissen-Petersen
Type: Document
Year: 2006
Description: Very useful manual on developing drinking water resources from ephemeral rivers, using subsurface dams or sand dams.
Title: Water from Sand Rivers
Author: Erik Nissen-Petersen
Type: Article
Year: 1997
Description: A summary of paper on developing drinking water resources from ephemeral rivers.
Title: Country Presentation on Spate Irrigation in Tanzania
Author: Eng. Kamil Aron Nkya
Type: Presentation
Description: A powerpoint presentation on recent spate irrigation projects in Tanzania and improvements in grain storage.
Title: Smart Water Harvesting Solutions
Author: NWP
Type: Booklet
Year: 2007
Description: Well-illustrated pocket guide to large range of water harvesting techniques, including reference to spate irrigation – but many other techniques as well.
Title: Agronomy in Eritrea
Author: Bereke Ogba-Michael
Type: Document
Year: 2006
Description: Very informative document describing the agronomic practices and possible improvements in Eritrea.
Title: Management of Mesquite (Prosopis Juliflora) Monograph, Briefing Note, Proposis Management Manual and Briefing note on Ethiopia
Author: N. M. Pasiecznik
Type: Document
Year: 2001
Description: In many spate systems mesquite is considered a major problem issue, yet it can also be considered a resource. These documents come from useful work by HRDA funded by DFID.
Title: Salient Features of Spate Schemes under GSCP
Author: Project Coordination Unit of the Groundwater and Soil Conservation Project.
Type: Document
Year: 2011
Description: This document gives an overview of spate schemes under the Groundwater and Soil Conservation Project.
Title: Sheeb Valley (pdf) and Sheeb Valley (google earth)
Author: John Ratsey
Type: Map
Description: A map of Sheep Valley showing a drop from the irrigated fields down to the original ground of around 7 m. The second file can be opened with Google Earth
Title: Floodwater Irrigation in Southeast of Fars Province, Iran
Author: Gholamzera Rhabar
Type: Document
Description: Introductionary text on the different activities in the Fars Research station in this field.
Title: Maintaining Recharge from Flood Water Spreading in Iran
Author: Gholamreza Rhabar
Type: Document
Description: Effect of flood water spreading on infiltration rates.
Title: Bioassay of theSowbug
Author: Ghaolamreza Rhabar et al.
Type: Document
Description: Important documentation of the work of the ‘sowbug’, a burrowing crustacean that burrows holes up 1.8 meter deep and as such maintain the infiltration capacity of soils in semi-arid environments and improves soil stability at the same time.
Title: Livestock Economy of Wadi Mawr (Tihama, Yemen)
Author: Lionel Roux en Floriane Thouillot
Type: Thesis
Year: 2006
Description: Detailed description of the history of Wadi Mawr and the linkage between crop production and livestock keeping.
Title: Sari’a und Gewohnheitsrecht in Zabid: Dargestellt an ausgewälten Fällen zum Wasserrecht aus der Lehrschrift des Muahmmad ibn Ziyad al-Wadahi (in German)
Author: Nadim H. Salameh
Type: Thesis
Year: 1995
Description: MSc thesis on traditional water code in Wadi Zabid (Yemen).
Title: Water Rights under Sheikh Haider Zam
Author: Serve, DI Khan
Type: Article
Description: 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 FrontierProvince, 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 exit.
Title: Economical and Social Impact of Technical Improvements and Renewed Spate Irrigation Systems in Yemen Wadis, Case Study, Tihama Wadis (in Arabic)
Author: Dr. Sharafaddin Abdullah Saleh
Type: Paper
Description: Over the past fifty years, government authorities and international organizations have made considerable investments in improving traditional spate irrigation systems. Given their importance to agriculture in the Tihama Wadis (Zabid, Mawr, Rema and Siham) area, these investments have had significant socio-economic effects on the population there. This case study attempts to document how they have affected aspects such as land productivity, agricultural output, livestock rearing, food security, outmigration and the general standard of living.
Title: Overview of Spate Irrigation in Yemen (document)
Author: Dr. Sharafaddin Abdullah Saleh
Type: Document
Year: 2009
Description: Overview of areas, main techniques and supplementary interventions.
Title: Overview of Spate Irrigation in Yemen (poster)
Author: Dr. Sharafaddin Abdullah Saleh
Type: Poster
Description: Relation between spate irrigation and groundwater recharge in Yemen.
Title: Overview of Non-modernized Spate Irrigation Systems in Yemen
Author: Said R. Al-Shaybani
Type: Article
Year: 2003
Description: This report discusses the non-modernized spate irrigation systems in Yemen. There was a surge of spate development projects in Yemen in the 1980s. A large number of spate systems were “modernized”, particularlay 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 the 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.
Title: Wadi Mawr Project - draft report, short study on water regulation and distribution.
Author: Farouk Abdel Rahman Shahin
Year: 1990
Description: Short study on regulation of Wadi Mawr water distribution and recommendations for future distribution of water, both base flow and floods.
Title: Spate Irrigation and Groundwater Irrigation in Sindh, Pakistan
Author: Abdul Ghani Soomro
Type: MSc thesis
Year: 2007
Description: Second MSc thesis on groundwater irrigation in the same Thana Boula Khan area.
Title: Dynamics of Spate Irrigation (in English), (in French), (in Spanish)
Author: SOS Faim
Type: Document
Year: 2006
Description: A nice introduction into the subject, with useful references to the work of SOS Faim in the Western Lowlands in Eritrea (Gash-Barka).
Title: Bahman Check Dams Design Report
Author: Stanley Consultants, Inc.
Type: Report
Year: 2006
Description: Yemen Sana’a Basin – design report of cascade check dams meant to optimize groundwater recharge and divert water for spate irrigation.
Title: Farmers and Government in Spate Irrigation in Balochistan
Author: Frank van Steenbergen
Type: Document
Description: This paper discusses the management of spate irrigation in Balochistan (Pakistan). It discusses the role of the government, particular in financing construction, operation and maintainance 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.
Title: Spate Irrigation in Blue Nile Countries
Author: Frank van Steenbergen et al.
Type: Document
Year: 2009
Description: Overview of status and potential for spate irrigation in Ethiopia, Eritrea and Sudan.
Title: Spate Irrigation, Livelihood Improvement and Adaptation to Climate Variability and Climate Change
Author: Frank van Steenbergen et al.
Type: Document
Year: 2008
Description: Whereas spate irrigation is the ultimate adaptation to climate variability, this document prepared for IFAD and is and overview of likely impact of climate change an practical possibilities for livelihood improvement.
Title: Unlocking the Potential – document and Unlocking the Potential – presentation
Author: Frank van Steenbergen & Abraham Mehari Haile
Type: Document and presentation
Description: Paper on the potential of spate irrigation and contribution it can make to food security and improved livelihood.
Title: The Recorded Behaviour of the River Gash in Sudan
Author: C. H. Swan
Type: Book
Year: 1955
Title: Evaluation of Four Spate Irrigation Systems in Tigray (Ethiopia)
Author: Daniel Teka et al.
Type: Document
Year: 1997
Description: Evaluation of recently government constructed spate system in mid-highlands of Tigray.
Title: Land Suitablility System for Spate Irrigations Systems – The Case of the Sheeb Spate Irrigation System
Author: Mehreteab Tesfai
Type: Article
Description: 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.
Title: Spate Irrigation Systems and Watershed Development in Eritrea – the Case of the Sheeb Watershed
Author: Mehreteab Tesfai
Type: Document
Description: This paper describes the interactions of the spate irrigations system in Eritrea with their upper watershecs, as a case study in Sheeb watershed. The spate irrigations practices, among others, include techniques to harvest runoff water, sediments and nutrients.
Title: Guar
Author: D. J. Undersander et al.
Type: Article
Description: 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.
Title: Abuhabil Flooding Irrigation Scheme, Technical Report
Author: Unknown
Type: Report
Year: 2009
Description: A short update on the Khora Abu Habil – a spate irrigation system in Kordofan (Sudan) – currently being remodelled, introducing new water allocation system – replacing the earlier cascading system.
Title: The Bolton Settlement Report (Pakistan)
Author: Unknown
Type: Document
Year: 2007
Description: 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 ares.
Title: By-laws for Irrigation Councils (Yemen)
Author: Unknown
Type: Article
Description: 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.
Title: Codification of Spate Management Practices in Wadi Tuban, Yemen
Author: Unknown
Type: Article
Description: 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 or the system was the Agricultrual 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 arrangments in other spate systems as well.
Title: Constitution of the Sheeb Farmers Association
Author: Unknown
Type: Document
Description: 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.
Title: Cotton Production (in Arabic)
Author: Unknown
Type: Document
Description: Extension brochure on cotton production based on work in Tihama (Yemen).
Title: Designs for Improved Field Structures
Author: Unknown
Type: Design
Year: 2007
Description: Designs by the Water Resources Research Institute (Pakistan) on improved field to field structures and field inlets. These designs introduced on pilot base in DI Khan and DG Khan were very popular an 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.
Title: Dévéloppement des ressources en eau au Maroc (in French)
Author: Unknown
Type: Paper
Year: 2003
Description: Overview paper on water resources in Morocco.
Title: Ecology of Spate Irrigation
Author: Unknown
Type: Article
Description: Ephemeral rivers are often unexpectedly rich depositories of vegetation. Spates collect seeds for a large part of the catchment and deposit them in the river bad and flood irrigated fields. The moist and often organic-rich layers of silt provide a favourable….
Title: Final Review of the Spate Irrigation Improvement Project (Yemen) (in Arabic)
Author: Unknown
Type: Document
Year: 2006
Description: Internal review of the extensive IIP project, working on improved infrastructure, agronomy and farmers participation.
Title: Flood Irrigation in the Korakan River, Balochistan (Bund Construction in a Degrading River Bed)
Author: Unknown
Type: Document
Description: For many communities along the Korakan river, this water source was an important source to irrigate their fields with its flood water. As the result of the degradation process, six 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.
Title: Gash Sustainable Livelihoods Regeneration Project
Author: Unknown
Type: report
Year: 2011
Description: This report gives an insight of the Gash Sustainable Livelihoods Regeneration Project up till September 2011. The purpose of the project is to ensure the efficient, equitable and sustainable operation of the Gash Agricultural Scheme (GAS) and the integration of the scheme into the local economy, further contributing toward overall national goals.
Title: Gash Sustainable Livelihoods Project Sudan
Author: Unknown
Type: Presentation
Year: 2010
Description: Presentation and status update of the Gash Project, largest spate irrigation system in Sudan.
Title: Gazetter of the Dera Ghazi Khan District
Author: Unknown
Year: 1893 – 1897
Description: Historical record on DG Khan district in Pakistan, in particular history, the people that were living there, production and distribution (agriculture, aboriculture and live stock) and and administration as well as spate systems at the time.
Title: Hydrologigal Analysis of Wadi Zabid and Wadi Tuban Main text, Graphics, Pictures and Appendices.
Author: Unknown
Type: Document
Year: 2003
Description: Description of data reliability and different types of flows (spate, base flow).
Title: Improved Grain Storage
Author: Unknown
Type: Document
Year: 2007
Description: Work of VEER (DI Khan) managed to reduce grain storage losses with 6 – 20 % using improved local stores and grain treatment.
Title: Improving Spate Irrigation systems: Global Experiences
Author: Inknown
Type: Document
Description: Over the past three decades spate irrigation development has been supported under a range of national and international programs.
Title: Kaha Hill Torrent Development Project
Author: Unknown
Type: Powerpoint presentation
Year: 2004
Description: Presentation of work of NESPAK in the Kaha Hill Torrent in DI Khan (Punjab) where a series of minor improved traditional structures were put in place with very high cosst effectiveness.
Title: Kaha Hill torrent Feasibility Report Pakistan
Author: Unknown
Type: report
Year: 1992
Description: A report with detailed information on Kaha River (DG Khan), the angle of the report is flood protection.
Title: Lessons Learned from the Eastern Lowlands Project (Eritrea)
Author: Unknown
Type: Document
Description: Lessons from the IFAD supported spate modernization project in Wadi Laba and Mai Ule in the Eastern Lowlands of Eritrea.
Title: Mombo Semi-Perennial Irrigation Scheme
Author: Unknown
Type: Document
Description: Description (in Swahili) of diversion scheme in ephemeral river in Tanzania.
Title: Profile of Dera Ismail Khan (in Urdu)
Author: Unknown
Type: Report
Description: It is an IUCN publication focusing of Dera Ismail Khan land and water resources especialy environment.
Title: Pictures Tanzania
Author: Unknown
Year: 2006
Type: Pictures in Word document
Description: Photo presentation on diversion structures in operation including problems with driftwood.
Title: The Politics of Bulldozers in Balochistan
Author: Unknown
Type: Article
Description: 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…..
Title: Poverty, Livelihood Risks and Copies Strategies in spate Irrigation Systems
Author: Unknown
Type: Document
Description: 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 als 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 irragate arable land.
Title: Rural Development Project in the Tafilalet and Dades Valley (in French)
Author: Unknown
Type: Document
Year: 2005
Description: Evaluation of IFAD-supported PDRT project in Tafilalet including seven small spate irrigation systems.
Title: Spate Irrigation in Ethiopia (in Amharic)
Author: Unknown
Type: Document
Description: Experiences with farmer managed and government developed spate irrigation in Ethiopia and description of scope and direction of developing spate irrigation.
Title: Spate Irrigation in North West Frontier Province of Pakistan
Author: Unknown
Type: article
Year: 2003
Description: Spate irrigation in North West Frontier Province has al long history, but is now also under threat by new water developments.
Title: A Note on Supporting Farmer Managed soil Bunds Systems in the Kacchi Plains 1984 – 1990
Author: Unknown
Type: Article
Description: 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.
Title: Spate Irrigation in Sindh, Pakistan
Author: Unknown
Type: Article
Description: The traditional spate (flood) irrigation network in Sindh involves the construction of a termporary structure one to three meters high locally called lath or Bund.
Title: Spate Irrigation River Kaura, district DG Khan, Pakistan (in Urdu)
Author: Unknown
Type: Land settlement records
Year: 1872
Description: This valuable document -prepared by English Rulers in 1872- consists of water rights, rules to govern water, shares of beneficiaries, allocation and distribution of water shares, passages and routes of canals and water courses and decision making arrangements etc.. For more information or clarification please contact Mr. Karim Nawaz, email: knawaz99@yahoo.com
Title: Summary Report of 1991 Evaluation of Spate Irrigation Systems in Balochistan
Author: Unknown
Type: Report
Year: 1991
Description: Review of 50 plus ‘modernised’ systems.
Title: Summary of Engineering Approach in Spate Irrigation
Author: Unknown
Type: Summary
Description: Short two page overview of appropriate engineering interventions in spate irrigation.
Title: Taiz Hydrology
Author: Unknown
Type: Document
Description: This document illustrates how high-peak short-duration floods can be generated from short duration storms on steep catchments. It is particularly relevant to locations where the storms can drop heavy on steep slopes close to the diversion sites. Applicability of the methodology depends on the nature of the rainfall events. Ideally, rainfall depth-duration data will be available for local gauges.
Title: Tentative Lessons Learned
Author: Unknown
Type: Article
Description: 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.
Title: Water Rights and Water Distribution Rules
Author: Unknown
Type: Article
Description: Unpredictibility is inherent ot 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 theat have access to flood water.
Title: Water Rights in Wadi Zabid – Yemen
Author: Unknown
Type: Document
Year: 2006
Description: Legal advise on modifying water rights in Wadi Zabid.
Title: Women in Spate Irrigation and Groundwater Irrigation in Wadi Tuban (Yemen)
Author: Carin Vijfhuizen
Type: Document
Description: Very insightful gender study from South Yemen.
Title: Rod-Kohi System Development and Management in Pakistan – a National Project
Author: Water Resources Research Institute, National Agricultural Research Center
Type: Report
Year: 2001
Description: The final report of the eight year long research project on spate irrigation in Pakistan by Water Resources Research Institute. It describes 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.
Title: Spate Irrigation in Ethiopia
Author: HRWallingford & MetaMeta
Type: Document
Description: 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.
Title: http://ejournal.icrisat.org/
Type: Website
Description: Research Output from ICRISAT – with a lot of interesting material on Sorghum, Millets and other Dryland Crops.
Title: The Korakan River (a study on Flood Irrigation)
Author: WUA Liaison Section
Type: Document
Year: 1994
Description: This document is a description of collective soil bunds in the Korakan river, including an agro-economic profile of Kharan District.
Title: Predicting Runoff and Sediment for IJa Galma Waqo Spate Irrigation System
Author: Eyob Yehayis
Type: MSc thesis
Year: 2010
Description: Thesis on East Harrarghe (Ethiopia) using SWAT model.
