Gereb Segen (May Gabat)

Gereb Segen is a reservoir located in the Inderta woreda of the Tigray Region in Ethiopia. The earthen dam that holds the reservoir was built in 2016 by the Tigray Water Bureau, with the main aim of providing Mekelle with water.

Challenges

In 2018-2019 the reservoir was unable to sustain the water needs of Mekelle

Pipe diameters are underfit
Leakage through the abutment
Sediment deposition by May Gabat river

Irrigation

Though the reservoir was not intended for irrigation, its seepage water is used in the downstream valley for irrigation. The lithology of the catchment is Antalo Limestone. Part of the water is lost through seepage; the positive side-effect is that this contributes to groundwater recharge, and it allows irrigation by the downstream communities.

Homonymous places

There is a reservoir with the same name, some 20 km to the southeast: Gereb Segen (Hintalo).

Spillway collapse

On August 19, 2024 the spillway of the dam collapsed, also damaging the downstream irrigation canal.