Water & land resources
The Juba and Shabelle rivers are the only perennial streams in Somalia. They originate in Ethiopia, where over 90 percent of the stream flow is generated. The two river basins cover an area 174,600 km2 within Somalia.
The Juba and Shabelle rivers have an average annual stream flow of 5.9 BCM and 2.4 BCM respectively, as measured by gauging stations at Luuq and Beled Weyne, both located near the Somali-Ethiopian border. Historic records reveal high intra- and interannual variations in river flows. These are projected to increase because of climate change, altering the rainfall patterns in the Ethiopian highlands. Upstream developments in Ethiopia are projected to decrease and heavily regulate the river flows: Major dam and irrigation projects are envisioned by the Ethiopian Ministry of Water.
Groundwater There is no comprehensive data available on groundwater occurrence, groundwater abstractions or respective safe yields in the Juba and Shabelle basins. Also the mechanisms of groundwater recharge are not known, but infiltrations associated to the river flows are considered the main component of inflows. There are rough maps estimating zones of high groundwater potential. Together with local population densities these provide an indication for quantity and quality of groundwater resources. To obtain more information regarding the local groundwater resources seems to be a priority action for the near future considering the projected reduction in surface water availability. Rainwater Harvesting Harvesting rainwater for domestic or livestock use is partially used as an alternative water source to groundwater or river water. No data is available on the current extent of use nor its potential. Access to Water Besides the available quantities and qualities, the technical and communal access are important aspects regulating how and to what extent the different water demands are satisfied: In agriculture, recession cultivation and field irrigation though canals are the central techniques. Only the latter is an active diversion of river water and hence the water demands of irrigated agriculture refer exclusively to this irrigation method.
Groundwater is accessed via boreholes, shallow wells, springs and infiltration galleries. Water supply in the cities is happening partly via piped supply, water tankers and public standpoints but also donkey carts are a common means of delivery access to water is dominated by market mechanisms, communal arrangements are responsible for water distribution in the rural context, with village elders ruling and settling conflicts. The water distribution for irrigation is also done communally, whether by elders or by so called water user associations.
Agriculture in the two basins is estimated to currently abstract 715 MCM of river water. Despite the lower flow volume of the Shabelle River, greater amounts are abstracted from it (550 MCM). This is due to the existent extent of infrastructure as well as favourable soil properties that facilitate agricultural utilization. Under a medium growth scenario, agricultural demands are projected to increase to 1155 MCM in the two basins: 275 MCM along the Juba River and 880 MCM along the Shabelle River. Under a high growth scenario, the basin-wide agricultural demands have been estimated as 2,915 MCM. The greatest development is projected to take place in the Shabelle basin.