The Land–Water–Energy Nexus of Ruzizi River Dams (Lake Kivu Outflow, African Great Lakes Region): Status, Challenges, and Perspectives

Abstract

Hydroelectric power (HP) represents the main source of electricity in Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo. The demand for new dam construction is high, and major projects are currently progressing through planning and implementation stages. New HP dams should comply with both past and emerging environmental requirements. River systems need water to maintain hydraulic and ecological functions. Flow regime disturbance can prevent rivers from providing their ecosystem services and disrupt riparian communities. Most dammed rivers in Africa are understudied, however, in terms of their environmental flow requirements. This study analysed the hydrological regime and water quality of the Ruzizi River. The research investigated conditions of minimum water flow and hydropeaking at the Ruzizi I HP dam in terms of land management constraints and ecological impacts. According to Gumbel’s hydrological model, a discharge of ∼130 m3/s showed the longest return period (12 years) among the most recurrent flows. By contrast, the maximum recorded discharge of 143 m3/s showed a return time of 76 years. Any discharge between 46 and 120 m3/s could occur at any time within three years. The discharge–hydropower production relationship for the power plant provided a possible minimum environmental flow of 28 m3/s (i.e., 25%). Drinking water quality was assessed according to WHO water quality index (WQI) standards. Turbidity (i.e., total suspended solids) upstream and downstream of dams correlated strongly with rainfall (r = 0.8; n = 12) and land use. WQI values observed in excess of WHO drinking water standards indicate that the Ruzizi River is currently unsuitable for drinking water purposes.