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Chapter 3
51
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-2719-0.ch003
ABSTRACT
Lack of water allocation plans in semi-arid river basins increases the risks of
hydrological droughts. The Mukurumudzi river basin was experiencing extremely low
fows which led to a water allocation assessment to quantify the available resource
amidst competing demands from domestic, commercial and environmental needs.
An abstraction survey was conducted along the entire length of the river followed
by a low fow study and water balance modelling using rainfall-runof Model.
Observed fows at source and mouth were 0.028 m
3
/sand 0.043 m
3
/s respectively.
Simulated fows estimated an environmental fow (Q95) defcit of0.023 m
3
/s and
0.010 m
3
/s in July and August respectively. Normal fow (Q80) of 0.190 m
3
/s and
food fow (Q50) of 0.520 m
3
/s were estimated. Compensating the environmental
fow defcit in July and August was recommended. A more detailed hydrogeological
study should be conducted to elucidate the potential of the groundwater resource
in meeting current demands.
Water Allocation Assessment
and Hydrological Simulation
on Mukurumudzi River
Basin in Kenya
Jacob Mutua Katuva
University of Nairobi, Kenya
Christian Thine Omuto
University of Nairobi, Kenya
John P. O. Obiero
University of Nairobi, Kenya