Betqua


Betqua is a reservoir located in the Hintalo Wajirat woreda of the Tigray Region in Ethiopia. The earthen dam that holds the reservoir was built in 1997 by SAERT.

Dam characteristics

  • Dam height: 16 metres
  • Dam crest length: 284 metres
  • Spillway width: 20 metres

Capacity

In 2002, the life expectancy of the reservoir was estimated at 23 years.

Irrigation

  • Designed irrigated area: 70 ha
  • Actual irrigated area in 2002: 25 ha

Environment

The catchment of the reservoir is 1.52 km² large, with a perimeter of 4.82 km and a length of 1520 metres. The reservoir suffers from rapid siltation. The lithology of the catchment is Agula Shale and Mekelle Dolerite 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.