Spilling Blwd over Water? The Cose of Ethiopia 257The total annual water resources are estimated to be 110 cubic kilometres,
of which 76.6 cubic kilometres drain into the Nile Basin. Usable groundwa-
ter resources are estimated to be 2.6 cubic kilometres for both Ethiopia and
Eritrea, though it is suggested that this estimate is based on little hydro-geo-
logical inf~rmation.~~ A small fraction of groundwater supplies rural water
needs. Traditional wells are widely used by pastoralists. The number of these
wells, as well as boreholes and birkas (concrete storage tanks), has increased
due to development aid projects.
There are 11 major lakes in Ethiopia. Lake Tana, situated in the Abbay
River Basin, is the largest with a surface area of 3 600 square kilometres. It
has a high development potential, including irrigation, hydropower, fisheries,
navigation and tourism. Seven of the other major lakes are situated in the Rift
Valley in the southern pan of the country, which, it is suggested, have expe-
rienced large 'natural' fluctuations in hydrological regimes since the end of
the Middle Palaeolithic period. Among these, only Lake Zwai is fresh water.
Despite this, the lakes are reasonably productive, having large amounts of
fish. Extensive deposits of soda ash are found in Lakes Shala and Abyata. In
addition, some lakes are popular tourist attractions, aided more recently by
the completion of a tarmac highway between the Rift Valley lakes area and
Addis Ababa.
Management of Water Resources
Past SchemesIn spite of the large water supplies in Ethiopia, little water is captured and
utilised within the country. Most water flows outside Ethiopia into neigh-
bouring countries. Approximately 1 % of the total flow of Ethiopia's rivers is
used for power production and 1.5% for irrigation. Traditional irrigation
methods have been employed for centuries on small-scale schemes including
simple river and stream diversions that generally senre small villages. The
diversion structures are rudimentary and subject to frequent damage by
floods. Constant repairs are required that involve great labour expenditures.
These 'water-user cooperatives' should provide each beneficiary with access
to water on an equal basis, and equity in water distribution is a strong factor
guiding allocations. The schemes are managed either by traditional, elected
elders known as 'water fathers' or 'water judges' and/or more recently by
Peasant Associations (PAS).
In comparison, 'modern' water development schemes are a relatively
new phenomenon in Ethiopia. Development projects began in the 1950s to
enlarge national agricultural production, increase power generation and to
establish a municipal water supply for Addis Ababa and a few other major