RIVER ATBARA RIVER ATBARA (TEKEZZE) BASIN (TEKEZZE) BASIN

By:By:Eng. Hayder Yousif BakhietEng. Hayder Yousif BakhietDirector/ Nile Waters Dept.Director/ Nile Waters Dept.

Ministry of Irrigation & Water ResourcesMinistry of Irrigation & Water ResourcesKasala/ March 2007Kasala/ March 2007

Basin Description:Basin Description:

Location:Location:• Lies between Lat.12 : 30 & 15 : 00 N Long. 35 : 40 & 39:40 ELies between Lat.12 : 30 & 15 : 00 N Long. 35 : 40 & 39:40 E

Tributaries:Tributaries:• There are many small tributaries and the main two are: Atbara There are many small tributaries and the main two are: Atbara

& Setit (Takazze). They joined inside Sudan D/S AlShouak& Setit (Takazze). They joined inside Sudan D/S AlShouak Area:Area:

• Tekazze river flows from the most remote source a distance of Tekazze river flows from the most remote source a distance of 1216 Km1216 Km to the confluence with river Atbara, covers an area of to the confluence with river Atbara, covers an area of 68,800 square Km68,800 square Km Ethiopia, Sudan & Eriteria Ethiopia, Sudan & Eriteria

• Atbara Basin area above and below the confluence is Atbara Basin area above and below the confluence is 31,400 31,400 and and 43,600 square Km43,600 square Km. respectively.. respectively.

Rainfall:Rainfall:• Rainfall season is shorter than the Blue Nile Basin, average Rainfall season is shorter than the Blue Nile Basin, average

annual is annual is 950 mm950 mm (Aug. – Sept.) (Aug. – Sept.) • It is dry (not completely) from November to May. It is dry (not completely) from November to May.

The Tagazze lies in a deep ravine a few hundred The Tagazze lies in a deep ravine a few hundred meters wide at the bottom, shut in by steep rocky meters wide at the bottom, shut in by steep rocky hillsides.hillsides.

The highest point of the Atbara (Takazze) Basin is The highest point of the Atbara (Takazze) Basin is about about 3500 m3500 m..

The average level of the catchment area is The average level of the catchment area is 1750 m.1750 m. For the greater part of the Basin inside Sudan, the For the greater part of the Basin inside Sudan, the

Basin is well below the general level of the plain. Basin is well below the general level of the plain. The plain width is between The plain width is between 1 to more than 4 Km.1 to more than 4 Km.

and the actual trough is and the actual trough is 100 to 300 m100 to 300 m.. The slope of River Atbara inside Sudan is The slope of River Atbara inside Sudan is 45 cm/km45 cm/km.. The topography is rough and unevenThe topography is rough and uneven

Land Use & ClimateLand Use & Climate

The climate is aridThe climate is arid Natural vegetation is sparse, with some acacia Natural vegetation is sparse, with some acacia

scrub, scattered bushes & Dom palms.scrub, scattered bushes & Dom palms. People along the river relied on livestock and People along the river relied on livestock and

small areas of irrigation land. small areas of irrigation land. Estimated annual sediment load carried by the Estimated annual sediment load carried by the

river Atbara is about 30 million tones.river Atbara is about 30 million tones.

Available Hydrological RecordsAvailable Hydrological Records

Data are available for river Atbara & Setit cover Data are available for river Atbara & Setit cover the period 1911 – Date.the period 1911 – Date.

Average annual flow of river Setit is 9.500 Milliar Average annual flow of river Setit is 9.500 Milliar cubic meters, river Atbara is 3.0 Milliar cubic cubic meters, river Atbara is 3.0 Milliar cubic meters.meters.

Total annual of river Atbara measured at Total annual of river Atbara measured at Alshouak is 12.5 Milliard cubic m.Alshouak is 12.5 Milliard cubic m.

River Atbara Gauge HydrographRiver Atbara Gauge Hydrograph

River Atbara & Setit Dailly Gauge Hydrograph(1965 - 2006)

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Atbara Gauge Setit Gauge

River Atbara Flow HydrographRiver Atbara Flow Hydrograph

River Atbara & Setit daily Flow Hydrograph(1965 - 2006)

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