Geospatial Based Dam Potential Site Selection in the Catchment Area of Beressa River, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia

Abstract

Choosing a suitable site for dam is a crucial phase in dam construction. A successful outcome of this effort is initiated by taking into consideration some watershed properties and characteristics. The objective of this study was to determine suitable sites for dam construction along Beresa River Watershed of Debre Berhan town, Ethiopia. The method used was based on consideration of seven criteria which included topographic factors (slope), geological factors, soil type, catchment size, and land cover, proximity to river and proximity to roads using geospatial tools. Each factor was standardized to a common measurement scale so that the results represent numeric range giving higher values to more suitable and lower values to less suitable attributes. Weighted overlay analysis was applied to obtain layers showing suitable sites for dam construction. The final suitability map of the study area shows that from the total area, 0.53ha (0.01%) was mapped in most suitable, 0.35ha (0.01%) in more suitable, 1.32ha (0.02%) in suitable, 0.33ha (0.01%) in less suitable and 5708.47ha (99.96%) unsuitable for dam site selection and construction. The study proved that, the system will provide reliable and easy<i> system for </i>dam site selection and construction in the study area.