Environmental and Social Impact Assessment - Gibe III

Gibe III – Environmental and Social Impact Assessment 300 ENV R CS 002 C - A9003099
Photo 5.13: Diesel Pump site for a small scale
irrigation scheme at Dasenech wereda
Photo 5.14: Existing small scale irrigation
scheme at Dasenech wereda
Potential irrigation schemes: There is an estimated 10,100 ha of potential small scale irrigable area and
142,900 ha large scale irrigable areas in the lower Omo. The list of potential irrigation schemes in the lower
Omo are indicated in Table 5.47 (see also Figure 5.17).
5.4.5.4 The Importance of Omo River for the Lakes along it
Ox-bow lakes such as Lake Dipa in Karo Korocho kebele, Lake Shoshe in Karo Lebuk kebele and Lake
Wala of the Hammer wereda, are those lakes found along the Omo River that are used by the Karo people for
flood retreat cultivation, small scale irrigation, fishery, and dry season grazing.
The annual flooding of Omo River between July and September replenishes Lake Dipa. When the lake level
recedes the local communities start to plant crops like sorghum and maize two to three times a years.
According to the study conducted previously, the water in Dipa Hayk has the capacity to irrigate up to 5,000
ha of land.
In addition to the recession cultivation and grazing resources, as per the information obtained from the local
community, Dipa Hayk has a good potential for fishery and can also support an important commercial
fishery. The Karo tribe are located around Lake Dipa. They rely upon fish for their subsistence and
supplement their diet with grains through recession cultivation around the Lake and the Omo River. Fishing
has increased the income of these people and improved the nutritional quality (protein food supply of the
community).
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