Abstract:
Supply and demand assessment in the specific area is important for proper
management of water resources. The main objective of this study is to assess and
identify the water availability and demand situation in the lower Kulfo River
catchment area and to propose appropriate method of water management.
The rainfall analysis shows the average annual precipitation of the study area is
837.6mm and from the river discharge analysis the maximum flow is identified to
be 71.32m^/sec, the minimum flow of 0.014m^/sec and the mean flow of
6.47m^/sec. The type and amount of water demand is identified and the main
water user in lower Kulfo River is for irrigation requirement, domestic use and
livestock production. The irrigation requirement is determined by CropWat
software for theiexisting crop type and cropping calendar and for the potential
Irrigable land In the study area. The water consumption requirement for domestic
use and livestock production is estimated according to the standard set by MOWR
and IWMI respectively.
The study result showed that the irrigation demand Is high in the area and the
available water based on 75% and 80% dependable flow Is enough for satisfying
the irrigation water requirement for the existing condition and total water demand
requirement (i.e. for irrigation, domestic and livestock). For the potential irrigable
land in the study area and for the forecasted population and livestock water
requirement after 10 years the water deficit is seen on the dry period of the year
from November to March. Therefore, the main problem in the area for the present
condition, which leads water shortage for the downstream users and at the tail
end of the field, is water management due to diversion of river water, conveyance
and distribution among "the users, then appropriate mitigation methods are
suggested to avoid the problem in the area. •
