Analyzing the effects of historical and recent floods on channel pattern and the environment in the Lower Omo basin of Ethiopia using satellite images and GIS

Abstract

Previous accounts and recent observations indicate that the pattern and geometry of the Omo River meanders in the Lower Omo basin of Ethiopia had already been established in earlier times by large floods that took place after extended periods of drought. The cross-sectional changes resulted from floods in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, were then simply limited to small degree channel widening and entrenchment, and floodplain erosion and deposition. The effects of the August 2006 flood, although widespread and destructive for the environment, were also modest as far as adjusting the channel pattern is concerned. Changes in channel profiles at short-term scales usually come in the form of aggradation and degradation. Interpretations of satellite images taken before and after the flood showed the accumulation of coarse sediments in the channel. There are also some sporadic indications for an increase in channel width. Widening in response to high amount of discharges can generally be expected during floods. Besides, signs of channel shortening were observed in some places. Apart from these minor changes, the dimension of meandering segments or the outline of the entire meander belt, and the basic morphology of the channel remained unaffected.