Sediment transport and management in the river basins of Ethiopia: Challenges, strategies, and policy perspective

Sediment transport in Ethiopian river basins, particularly the Abbay and Awash, exceeds safe thresholds for drinking water, aquatic protection, and irrigation, posing significant challenges to land and water resource management. The study reveals that erosion hotspots—such as North Gojjam, Beshilo, Jemma subbasins (Abbey Basin), and Kessemi, Nejaso Gera, Kebena (Awash Basin)—experience exceptionally high sediment yields (200–233 t/ha/year in Abbay; 115.76–47.47 million tons/year in Awash). In contrast, the Rift Valley Lakes Basin shows lower but still concerning levels (1.9–13.69 million tons/year). This research combines spatial analysis using QGIS with stakeholder interviews to identify erosion-prone areas and gaps in monitoring infrastructure, providing critical data for policy interventions, restoration efforts, and targeted land management strategies.

Zinabu, E., Zeleke, G., Kassawmar, T., & Girma, A. (2025). Sediment transport and management in the river basins of Ethiopia: Challenges, strategies, and policy perspective. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 60, 102600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2025.102600