Biophysical Characteristics of Weyb Watershed, Bale Mountainous Area of the Southeastern Ethiopia
Sissay Dechasa1, Basam Koteswararao2, Fisaha S. Unduche3
1Sissay Dechasa, Water Resources & Irrigation Engineering Department, Director of Engineering College, Madda Walabu University, Bale Robe, Ethiopia-247.
2Basam Koteswararao, Research Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Vaddeswaram, Guntur, A.P, India-522502.
3Fisaha S. Unduche, Ph.D., P.Eng., Director, Hydrologic Forecasting and Coordination, Manitoba Infrastructure 2nd Floor – 280 Broadway Winnipeg, MB Canada.
Manuscript received on 25 June 2019 | Revised Manuscript received on 05 July 2019 | Manuscript published on 30 July 2019 | PP: 515-521 | Volume-8 Issue-9, July 2019 | Retrieval Number: I7725078919/19©BEIESP | DOI: 10.35940/ijitee.I7725.078919
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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: Characterizing the biophysical features at a watershed level is a significant input for analyzing natural resources, for solving potential water resource management problems, for integrated water utilization assessment, for water allocation policy and management. The objective of this study was to assess the biophysical characteristics of Weyb watershed, which is recognized as a potential agricultural zone in southeastern part of Ethiopia, was considered as a case study. Relevant data were used and; ArcGIS, Microsoft Excel sheet and fundamental formulae were applied for the analysis. Accordingly, six current biophysical characteristics of Weyb watershed i.e., watershed area, land use land cover and soils, geomorphology, climate, agricultural practice and population have been analyzed and discussed briefly. The mean annual precipitation, actual evapotranspiration and mean temperature of the watershed are 1015 mm, 970.1 mm and 14 0C respectively. The study results show that the watershed is highly suitable for widespread agricultural production.
Keywords: ArcGIS, Biophysical Characteristics, Ethiopia, Potential Agricultural Zone, Weyb Watershed
Scope of the Article: Bio – Science and Bio – Technology