A Tradition in Transition, Water Management Reforms and Indigenous Spate Irrigation Systems in Eritrea : PhD, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Delft, The Netherlands

An in-depth assessment of the century-old Wadi Laba indigenous spate irrigation system in Eritrea. This system has relied on earthern and brushwood structures and customary water rules to support subsistence livelihoods of the Wadi Laba communities for many years. This research analyses the effectiveness of the introduction of contemporary water laws and a new headwork which endevour to increase production and standard of living. The lack of success of the new approach, compared with traditional methods of water management are discussed. Spate Irrigation Is The Least Understood Type Of Irrigation. This Research Gives An In-depth Assessment Of The Century Old Wadi Laba Indigenous Spate Irrigation System In Eritrea. This System Relied On Earthen And Brushwood Structures And Customary Water Rules To Support Subsistence Livelihoods Of The Poor Wadi Laba Communities. The Research Further Analyses The Effectiveness Of A New Headwork And Contemporary Water Laws Centred On Water Management Reforms In Order To Increase The Production And The Standard Of Living. So Far Most Of The Reforms Have Under Performed Due To An Inappropriate Technical Package, A Misconception That Spate Water Rules Are Fixed Entitlements, Inadequate Regard To Salinity, Sodicity And Nutrient Management, And Lag In Institutional Development. The Consequences Comprise A Reduction Of Cultivation In A Third Of The 2,600 Ha Irrigated Area, Potentially 50% Yield Reduction Due To Salinity And Nitrogen Deficiency, And Severe Sedimentation In The Canals And Structures.--book Jacket. 1. Country Background -- 2. Research Background -- 3. Principles And Practices Of Spate Irrigation Systems -- 4. The Study Site: The Wadi Laba Spate Irrigation System -- 5. Indigenous Water Rights, Rules And Management Before And After Water Management Reforms -- 6. Modeling Soil Moisture And Assessing Its Impacts On Water Sharing And Crop Yield -- 7. Hydraulic Performance Evaluation After Water Management Reforms -- 8. Salinity And Sodicity Impact Assessment On Crop Yield And Soil Infiltration Rate -- 9. Nutrient And Sediment Yield Analyses For The Flood Water And Irrigated Fields -- 10. Evaluation -- App. 1. Wetted Cross-sectional Area, Velocity And Discharge Data -- App. 2. Climatic And Evapotranspiration Data -- App. 3. The Soil Water Atmosphere Plant Model (swap) Input Data -- App. 4. Water Balance Simulation Results Obtained From The Soil Water Accounting Model (swam) -- App. 5. Water Balance Simulation Results Obtained From The Soil Water Atmosphere Plant Model (swap). By Abraham Mehari Haile. Disssertation Submitted In Fulfilment Of The Requirements Of The Academic Board Of Wageningen University And The Academic Board Of The Unesco-ihe Institute For Water Education. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 159-166). System Requirements For Accompanying Cd-rom: Microsoft Powerpoint; Cd-rom Drive.