dc.contributor.author | Mburu, DM | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2013-05-15T10:13:17Z | |
dc.date.available | 2013-05-15T10:13:17Z | |
dc.date.issued | 1989 | |
dc.identifier.citation | Master of Science in Land and Water Management | en |
dc.identifier.uri | http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/23135 | |
dc.description.abstract | In the arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya,
inadequate water supply is a majbr constraint to
development and various methods have been
attempted to increase the water supply.
In this project, a case study was carried
out to evaluate the role of sand dams in water
supply for domestic and livestock use. The study
was carried out in part of an arid and semi-arid
district (Machakos). A catchment of 67 was
selected where 12 sand dams have been constructed.
Sand dams are stone/concrete weirs constructed
across the riverbeds where sand accumulates during
the rainy season and water is stored in the pore
spaces of sand.
Detailed investigations were carried out on
one sand dam which included:
i) Volume of sand deposited
ii) Maximum water storage capacity
iii) Extractable volume of water from sand
iv) Water level fluctuations due to evaporation
losses, recharge from upstream runoff and
extraction by people and livestock
v) Water utilization by people and livestock
The results obtained showed that the quantity
of extractable water stored in the sand dams is
small, but the reduced evaporation losses allows
for longer period of storage and makes the water
available for extraction in the middle of the dry
season when it is required most.
Large pore spaces other than total porosity
determines the potential water holding capacity of
sand. Coarse sand and fine gravel will hold more
water than fine sand. This means that sand dams
are applicable only to the areas which are rich in
sand and gravel deposits. | en |
dc.language.iso | en | en |
dc.title | The role of sand dams in water supply in arid areas (Machakos, district - Kenya) | en |
dc.type | Thesis | en |
local.publisher | Department of Agricultural Economics | en |