Kabwe, A.L.; Hyodo, M.; Ogata, H.; Sagawa, Y.; Adachi, Y.; Ishii, M. Diagnostic Assessment in the Wet and Dry Seasons of Simple Weirs Constructed by Small-Scale Farmers in the Northern Region Provinces of Zambia. Water2023, 15, 3935.
Kabwe, A.L.; Hyodo, M.; Ogata, H.; Sagawa, Y.; Adachi, Y.; Ishii, M. Diagnostic Assessment in the Wet and Dry Seasons of Simple Weirs Constructed by Small-Scale Farmers in the Northern Region Provinces of Zambia. Water 2023, 15, 3935.
Kabwe, A.L.; Hyodo, M.; Ogata, H.; Sagawa, Y.; Adachi, Y.; Ishii, M. Diagnostic Assessment in the Wet and Dry Seasons of Simple Weirs Constructed by Small-Scale Farmers in the Northern Region Provinces of Zambia. Water2023, 15, 3935.
Kabwe, A.L.; Hyodo, M.; Ogata, H.; Sagawa, Y.; Adachi, Y.; Ishii, M. Diagnostic Assessment in the Wet and Dry Seasons of Simple Weirs Constructed by Small-Scale Farmers in the Northern Region Provinces of Zambia. Water 2023, 15, 3935.
Abstract
Simple weir irrigation was recently introduced in rural areas of Zambia. This irrigation technique is based on gravity diversion of the river flow using simple weirs. This study was conducted between November 2022 to January 2023 in 3 northern region provinces (Luapula, Copperbelt, and North-western) of Zambia to perform a diagnostic assessment on simple weirs during the dry and the wet seasons. In this study, 15 single-line simple weirs were selected. The objective of the study is to assess the physical status, identify problems and extent, and estimate water diversion potential by each single-line weir. The findings of this study showed that 67% of weirs were in excellent status (recently maintained and repaired), and 26% of the weirs were partially damaged (leakages, decayed thatch grass). The study revealed that single-line weirs were able to raise a flood height of 0.1m at low flow and 0.5m at medium flow. It was found that single-line weirs in excellent condition diverted more than 90% of the river flow while poorly maintained weirs diverted below 45% of the river discharge. Based on the findings, Single-line weirs have the potential to assist small-scale farmers in accessing river water for irrigation purposes through diversion.
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