Sustainability of water resources development in the Komadugu Yobe River basin of Nigeria

Abstract

A water audit of the Hadejia river sub-catchment of Komadugu Yobe River basin of Nigeria (KYB) has been carried out in order to elucidate the sustainability of existing water uses. Results show that about 2,619 million cubic meters (MCM) of surface water is available annually upstream of Wudil (HS 1), 658 MCM is available between Wudil and Hadejia (HS 2), while 905 MCM is available between Hadejia and Gashua (HS 3). Analysis of direct ground water recharge revealed that 86 mm, 94 mm and 8 mm of water is recharged to groundwater annually in the three hydrological sections HS 1, HS 2 and HS 3 respectively. It is obvious that the least ground water recharge takes place in the Hadejia - Nguru Wetlands. Presently, no water stress was observed in the sub-catchment; however, a number of water management problems persist all over the sub-catchment. The potential water balance of the area shows that about 75% of the available water between Wudil and Hadejia section (HS 2) would be used up by 2010 going by the current development rate. Projections show that the water use rate will reach 100% by 2018. At this time, water scarcity will commence in this area if urgent steps are not taken to address the situation. Adoptable strategies to avert the crisis were advanced.

Keywords: Water, Development, Management, recharge, Nigeria

Journal of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology, Volume9,: 5-17