Mwamila, Tulinave B.; Kimwaga, Richard; Mtalo, Felix W.
Description:
Eco-hydrological studies are highly emphasized worldwide at the moment especially where hydraulic
structures such as dams are concerned, mainly focusing on benefiting both humans and existing ecosystem
for the present and future generations. The study at Pangani basin was aimed at assessing the sufficiency
and the amount of flow reaching the downstream area of the Pangani River for maintenance of
ecosystem. Fish species were considered as the indicators for ecosystem health.
Flow duration curves (FDC) and hydrographs were developed by using the collected historical daily flow
data and used for assessing the flow variation before and after Nyumba ya Mungu (NYM) dam construction.
The results showed that there is no seasonality and that for most part of the year the flow is within
20–40m3/s. From the comparison it was found that there is 42.7% decrease in Q5, 2.1% decrease in Q95,
38.9% increase in Q75, 23.4% increase in Q50 and decrease of percentage exceedence of 50m3/s by 61.5%.
Physical habitat simulation model (PHABSIM) was used for hydraulic simulation incorporating geometric
and flow data collected in the field. From the simulations minimum flow for habitat protection is about
15m3/s and for flood formation flows should be greater than 50m3/s. Thus the required reservoir outflow
for sustainable water resources management at the NYM should follow the above specifications.