Hydrological Impacts of Land Use Changes on Water Resources Management and Socio-Economic Development of the Upper Ewaso Ng'iro River Basin in Kenya

Offering an assessment of the hydrological impacts of land use changes on water resources management and socio-economic development of the upper Ewaso Ng’iro river basin in Kenya, this book explores the impact of irrigation on dry season river flows and highlights the challenge of flood storage strategies. While flood storage can reduce dry season irrigation water abstractions by more than a half, without affecting hydro-ecological functions downstream, unplanned flood harvesting may impact negatively on flood flow, being detrimental to natural ecosystems and groundwater downstream. The book discusses strategies to ensure equity allocation of basin water, creating a win-win situation for the water users affected.