Addi Amharay

Addi Amharay is a reservoir located in the Inderta woreda of the Tigray Region in Ethiopia. The earthen dam that holds the reservoir was built in 1997 by SAERT.

Dam characteristics

Dam height: 14.7 metres
Dam crest length: 128 metres
Spillway width: 17 metres

Capacity

Original capacity: 957,000 m³
Dead storage: 175,000 m³
Reservoir area: 31.5 ha

In 2001, the life expectancy of the reservoir before it is filled with sediment was estimated at only 33 years.

Irrigation

Designed irrigated area: 60 ha
Actual irrigated area in 2001: 5 ha

Environment

The catchment of the reservoir is 4.92 km², with a perimeter of 9.62 km and a length of 3560 metres. The reservoir suffers from rapid siltation. The lithology of the catchment is Antalo Limestone and Agula shale. Part of the water that could be used for irrigation is lost through seepage; the positive side-effect is that this contributes to groundwater recharge.