Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Scholars: Ethiopia dam project strategic both geographically, geologically

(Addis Ababa, May 11, 2011) River Abay is a result of a geologic formation that took place over 30 million years ago.

The river took its current shape following the creation of Lake Tana some 8 million years back.

A workshop organized under the theme "Our Water Resource, the Nation and the Role of the Addis Ababa University” is underway at AAU.

In his research presented at the workshop, Dr. Seyifu Kebede, a Geologist indicated that in the past 30 million years Abay carried away over 93 cubic meters of soil from Ethiopia.

That amount of soil could create a hill as high as 200 meters if it were spread across the country.

If it were piled upon the basin itself, it would form a peak not less than 850 meters.

In his research regarding the Grand Renaissance Dam project, Dr. Yilma Sileshi stressed the need for keeping in check the amount of silt that enters the dam after its completion.

This is crucial to retaining soil resource and prolonging the dam’s life; hence, the need for undertaking soil conservation and integrated basin development activities along the basin and its tributaries.

The place where the dam is being built is strategic both geographically and geologically, Dr. Yilma said. This has considerably reduced possible threats from the project.

Studies indicate that incidents of earthquake, flooding and landslide in upstream countries are so far minimal, he said.

Projects like the Grand Renaissance Dam of Ethiopia would contribute greatly to reducing such incidents in downstream countries.

According to Dr. Seifu, the Abay basin is rich in underground natural resources. Some of the resources could serve as input for the construction of the dam.

In turn, construction of the dam could facilitate utilization of the underground natural resources in the area.

On completion, the Grand Renaissance Dam is estimated to generate over 15.1 billion-kilowatt energy annually thereby to giving 8 hours of per capita light to 86 million Ethiopians.
Source: Ethiopian gov. news

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