Water Balance Analyisis of Asa Lake Area and Environs, Ilorin, Kwara State

Abstract

This study assessed the water availability in Ilorin for increased fisheries production. The study used rainfall secondary data for the period of 20 years obtained from NIMET Office, Ilorin. Evapotranspiration data for the area was empirically generated while water balance model was computed using MATLAB R2007a version in order to ascertain the respective water availability. Regression analysis was used to ascertain rainfall trends. The findings showed that rainfall amounts vary from one year to another and also there was record of an increasing trends in the area over the period. It is also revealed that the period received more rainfall which could better be descriped as wet years showing that thare was abudant water resources in Ilorin. Therefore, more efforts should be geared towards harnesssing the excess rainwater for various purposes. This is to increase the capacity of water reservoirs and dams across the State for development of pipe borne water network, irrigation farming during insuficiency; and fisheries production. Further investigation is recommended on water balance and its implications for agricultural practice in the study area.