Open AccessAssessment of a New Dam Site for Water Supply Potential in Bauchi Metropolis, Nigeria
Author(s) -
Oreoluwa Salau,
A. Salaudeen,
Bukar Abba Gana,
Isa Zubairu,
Sabariah Musa
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
nigerian journal of technological development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2437-2110
DOI - 10.4314/njtd.v18i4.7
Subject(s) - surface runoff , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , water supply , water resource management , per capita , levee , runoff curve number , environmental engineering , engineering , geotechnical engineering , ecology , population , demography , sociology , biology
The maximum yield of 90,000 m3 /day from the existing Gubi dam in Bauchi will barely meet the water demand beyond 2030 at an average water use of 100 litres per capita/day. For higher water demand of up to 250 litres per capita/day expected in an urban centre, the existing dam capacity is inadequate, and the demand should grow to 253,102 m3/day by 2037. This is the rationale for this study, which showed the feasibility of a new dam through technical reviews and analysis of topography, hydrology of the site, field and laboratory investigations, computer analyses and designs. Hydrologic simulation of rainfall-runoff processes for 57 years of rainfall data using the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) method gave an annual runoff volume of 59 Mm3 on a stream in Miri, which can be harnessed to assure adequate water supply in the metropolis. This will require the construction of a 25 m high embankment dam. Topographic survey and analysis indicated that the proposed site has good water retention capability. Although net flow adjustment analysis showed a high evaporation loss of up to 13.5 Mm3 annually, seepage loss is expected to be small in view of the underlying basement complex rock formation.