Integrated Water Resources Management Plan Research Articles

Developing a framework for supporting the implementation of integrated water resource management (IWRM) with a decoupling strategy

The rise of integrated water resources management (IWRM) in the global water policy discourse marks a fundamental shift in water management from the techno-centric, top-down, supply-oriented and sectoral approach towards a holistic, participatory and demand-driven approach to sustainable water management. The IWRM concept has become dominant, permeating national, regional and international water policies, backed by heavy investments and advocacy by key global actors such as the World Bank and European Union. However, its implementation success remains unimpressive, amidst strong criticisms about its conceptual clarity. More recently, the decoupling concept spearheaded by the United Nations Environment Programme and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is gaining momentum as an alternative approach for sustainable water management. This paper reviews the two concepts both acclaimed for organizing knowledge production for sustainability. The paper examines the underlying factors that limit IWRM implementation and assesses the potentials of addressing the inadequacies of IWRM with the decoupling concept. IWRM as a process lacks a clearly defined strategy, standard measures to track the success of IWRM plans and guidance for planning and project development, while decoupling offers a viable strategy that feeds into the implementation of IWRM plan, providing strategic and operational direction towards achieving sustainability goals.

Modeling Impact of Climate Change on Water Resources and Agriculture Demand in the Volta Basin and other Basin Systems in Ghana

An assessment of the impacts of projected climate change on water availability and crop production in the Volta Basin and the southwestern and coastal basin systems of Ghana has been undertaken as a component of the impacts and adaptation study for Ghana by UNU-WIDER and the University of Ghana. Four climate change scenarios were considered in addition to a reference (no change) scenario—two dry and two wet scenarios. To conduct the analysis, a portion of a special framework using three water models was used; the framework is called the Strategic Analysis of Climate resilient Development (SACReD). First, the CliRun water balance model was used to simulate catchment runoffs using projected rainfall and temperature under the scenarios. Second, climate impacts on yields of the economically important Ghana crops were modeled using the AquaCrop software. Third, the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) software was used for the water allocation modeling. The results show that all water demands (municipal, hydropower, and agriculture) cannot be simultaneously met currently, or under any of the scenarios used, including the wet scenarios. This calls for an evaluation of groundwater as an additional source of water supply and an integrated water resources management plan in the catchments to balance demand with supply and ensure sustainable socio-economic development. In addition, the AquaCrop model forecasts negative impacts for the crop yields studied, with some crops and regions seeing larger impacts than others.

Interactive institutional design and contextual relevance: Water user groups in Turkey, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan

Institutional design for water governance assumes the possibility of intentional introduction of policy innovations into the new contexts or amending existing institutions. Such institutional design has been common in the water sector and examples include participatory irrigation management, integrated water resources management plans and water privatization programmes. With increasing application of institutional design across various political, socio-economic and cultural settings, the importance of the context is increasingly accepted. The key question is therefore how to reconcile institutional design and contextual variability. Based on our research on the introduction of water user associations in parts of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, we conclude that a top-down institutional design implemented nation-wide and not involving multiple stakeholders and engaging their views, is doomed to failure. As an alternative, we offer interactive institutional design, which is based on collaborative approaches to institutional design and treats design as works of assemblage.

An Evaluation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) activities in Bangladesh

For resolving adverse impact in water sector (such as severe flooding, sedimentation of river channels, erosion of the riverbanks, scarcity of water during the dry season, saline intrusion and environmental degradation in particular in the Southwest, cyclones and tidal surges in coastal areas, heavy arsenic contamination of groundwater etc.) in Bangladesh, lot of studies and programs have been under taken by the Government of Bangladesh during the last fifty years. Current global climate change and upstream withdrawal of water have made the water related problems more critical. Under these circumstances, water resources management needs more comprehensive and integrated approaches. Early day’s water management in Bangladesh were mainly involved to Flood Control Drainage and Irrigation (FCDI) project which caused detrimental effects of other sectors. The issue of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) has been increasingly highlighted after the 1990's. The Flood Action Plan (FAP, 1989-95), Bangladesh Water and Flood Management Strategy (BWFMS, 1995), The Ganges Water Treaty (1996), National Policy for Safe Water Supply and Sanitation (1998), National Water Policy (NWPo, 1999), Guidelines for Participatory Water Management (GPWM, 2000), National Water Management Plan (NWMP, 2004), National Water Resources Database (NWRD, 2001), Regional Technical Assistance (RETA, 2009), Bangladesh Water Act (DBWA, 2013)are the major examples of IWRM practice in Bangladesh.For the evaluation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) activities in Bangladesh, the three IWRM tools i.e. ‘Enabling Environment’, ‘Institutional Framework’ and ‘Management Instrument’ have been used as a methodology. Lots of Online Questionnaire has been done to the National Water Expertise for getting more information and strengthening the scope of work. Although lot of constraints are existing to develop IWRM plan in Bangladesh, yet the existing policy, plan, guideline, law, institution and information system provide a sound basis for the IWRM implementation in Bangladesh considering the principals of IWRM i.e. efficiency, equity, environmental sustainability. The study has shown that, the progress towards Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in Bangladesh has been good. Much remains to be done. Nevertheless, advancing IWRM is a process of incremental steps and the Bangladesh water-related sector is clearly moving in the right direction towards the IWRM plan. Finally the study has drawn recommendations for effective implementation of IWRM activities in Bangladesh.

Tools to improve the management of transboundary river basins for disaster risk reduction

This paper firstly presents a brief overview of the complex environment of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region in the context of disaster risk reduction (DRR), analyzing characteristics of the major hazards and actors involved. Secondly, it argues that the SADC Water Division and International River Basin Organizations (RBOs) in Southern Africa can play a crucial role in DRR in the water sector, providing a platform where agreements on data and information sharing are reached, best practices are exchanged, policies harmonized, new collaboration mechanisms are discussed, and coordinated interventions are decided upon. Moreover, RBOs can facilitate the adoption of basin-wide Integrated Water Resource Management plans, building on the pillars of economic efficiency, social equity and environmental sustainability with the result of reducing hazards and increasing resilience. RBOs can represent the shared interests of riparian states from a basin perspective to other international actors. To achieve these goals, RBOs in Southern Africa face significant challenges: broadening stakeholder participation, gaining buy-in from Member States on their representation and facilitation of specific matters. Possible approaches to overcome these challenges will be suggested in this paper.

Spatial Pattern of Populus euphratica Forest Change as Affected by Water Conveyance in the Lower Tarim River

To restore declining species, including Populus euphratica and other riparian communities, in the river ecosystem of the lower Tarim River, the ecological water conveyance project (EWCP), as a part of an integrated water resource management plan, was implemented in 2000. The EWCP aims to schedule and manage the water resources in the upper reaches and transfer water to the lower reaches by a series of intermittent water deliveries. The delivered water flows along a modified river channel and nourishes riparian communities by river overflow flooding. Since it began, it has caused a fierce debate over the response of riparian vegetation to the water conveyance scheme. This study focuses on the lower Tarim River, where Populus euphratica forests have undergone watering, due to the EWCP. Twelve Landsat sensor images and one IKONOS satellite imagery acquired between 1999 and 2009 were used to monitor the change in Populus euphratica forests. Bi-temporal change detection and temporal trajectory analysis were employed to represent the spatial pattern of the forest change. Field investigations were used to analyze the driving forces behind forest change from the perspectives of anthropogenic activities and natural forces. The results showed that Populus euphratica forest have been declining in area, which implies that ecological risks have been increased during the watering process. However, forests areas have increased in the regions where the water supply is abundant, and vice versa.

An Evaluation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Activities in Bangladesh

For resolving adverse impact in water sector (such as severe flooding, sedimentation of river channels, erosion of the riverbanks, scarcity of water during the dry season, saline intrusion and environmental degradation in particular in the Southwest, cyclones and tidal surges in coastal areas, heavy arsenic contamination of groundwater etc.) in Bangladesh, lot of studies and programs have been under taken by the Government of Bangladesh during the last fifty years. Current global climate change and upstream withdrawal of water have made the water related problems more critical. Under these circumstances, water resources management needs more comprehensive and integrated approaches. Early day’s water management in Bangladesh were mainly involved to Flood Control Drainage and Irrigation (FCDI) project which caused detrimental effects of other sectors. The issue of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) has been increasingly highlighted after the 1990's. The Flood Action Plan (FAP, 1989-95), Bangladesh Water and Flood Management Strategy (BWFMS, 1995), The Ganges Water Treaty (1996), National Policy for Safe Water Supply and Sanitation (1998), National Water Policy (NWPo, 1999), Guidelines for Participatory Water Management (GPWM, 2000), National Water Management Plan (NWMP, 2004), National Water Resources Database (NWRD, 2001), Regional Technical Assistance (RETA, 2009), Bangladesh Water Act (DBWA, 2013)are the major examples of IWRM practice in Bangladesh.For the evaluation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) activities in Bangladesh, the three IWRM tools i.e. ‘Enabling Environment’, ‘Institutional Framework’ and ‘Management Instrument’ have been used as a methodology. Lots of Online Questionnaire has been done to the National Water Expertise for getting more information and strengthening the scope of work. Although lot of constraints are existing to develop IWRM plan in Bangladesh, yet the existing policy, plan, guideline, law, institution and information system provide a sound basis for the IWRM implementation in Bangladesh considering the principals of IWRM i.e. efficiency, equity, environmental sustainability. The study has shown that, the progress towards Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in Bangladesh has been good. Much remains to be done. Nevertheless, advancing IWRM is a process of incremental steps and the Bangladesh water-related sector is clearly moving in the right direction towards the IWRM plan. Finally the study has drawn recommendations for effective implementation of IWRM activities in Bangladesh.

A Comparative analysis of Bangladesh Water Management Practice with European Water Framework Directives

Until 90, water management plans in Bangladesh focused mainly to controlling floods and facilitates drainage and irrigation which were segregate plans, and caused detrimental effects of other sectors such as water supply, sanitation, industry, fisheries plus environmental and other in-stream demands. For avoiding the fragmentation, the country has achieved a remarkable progress in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) activities after the period of 90.The Flood Action Plan (FAP, 1989-1995) was the pioneer of IWRM plan in Bangladesh. In 1995, Government approved The Bangladesh Water and Flood Management Strategy (BWFMS) which was an outcome of FAP. Under the recommendation of BWFMS, Bangladesh prepared NWPo and NWMP which were the holistic and government approved documents for applying integrated water resources practice in Bangladesh.The European Union has a long experience for basin wide integrated water resources management within Europe. The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union established a framework for Community action in the field of water policy in 23 October 2000 European Union’s water policies such as the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC). The EU’s experience (including its 27 Member States) is based on the best scientific knowledge and available technologies. In particular, the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) mainly focuses on river basin management rules and principles. It is recognized that the Water Framework Directive (WFD) might be used as an example for basin wide IWRM implementation and economic development for the developing countries like Bangladesh, taking into account their socio-economic conditions.This study will show that, how the European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD) model can be adapted for the effective implementation of integrated water resources in Bangladesh. A Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) has been depicted for sustainable IWRM in Bangladesh.

A Comparative analysis of Bangladesh Water Management Practice with European Water Framework Directives

Until 90, water management plans in Bangladesh focused mainly to controlling floods and facilitates drainage and irrigation which were segregate plans, and caused detrimental effects of other sectors such as water supply, sanitation, industry, fisheries plus environmental and other in-stream demands. For avoiding the fragmentation, the country has achieved a remarkable progress in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) activities after the period of 90.The Flood Action Plan (FAP, 1989-1995) was the pioneer of IWRM plan in Bangladesh. In 1995, Government approved The Bangladesh Water and Flood Management Strategy (BWFMS) which was an outcome of FAP. Under the recommendation of BWFMS, Bangladesh prepared NWPo and NWMP which were the holistic and government approved documents for applying integrated water resources practice in Bangladesh.The European Union has a long experience for basin wide integrated water resources management within Europe. The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union established a framework for Community action in the field of water policy in 23 October 2000 European Union’s water policies such as the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC). The EU’s experience (including its 27 Member States) is based on the best scientific knowledge and available technologies. In particular, the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) mainly focuses on river basin management rules and principles. It is recognized that the Water Framework Directive (WFD) might be used as an example for basin wide IWRM implementation and economic development for the developing countries like Bangladesh, taking into account their socio-economic conditions.This study will show that, how the European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD) model can be adapted for the effective implementation of integrated water resources in Bangladesh. A Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) has been depicted for sustainable IWRM in Bangladesh.

Optimal pumping from Palmela water supply wells (Portugal) using simulated annealing

Aquifer systems are an important part of an integrated water resources management plan as foreseen in the European Union’s Water Framework Directive (2000). The sustainable development of these systems demands the use of all available techniques capable of handling the multidisciplinary features of the problems involved. The formulation and resolution of an optimization model is described for a planning and management problem based on the Palmela aquifer (Portugal), developed to supply a given number of demand centres. This problem is solved using one of the latest optimization techniques, the simulated annealing heuristic method, designed to find the optimal solutions while avoiding falling into local optimums. The solution obtained, providing the wells location and the corresponding pumped flows to supply each centre, are analysed taking into account the objective function components and the constraints. It was found that the operation cost is the biggest share of the final cost, and the choice of wells is greatly affected by this fact. Another conclusion is that the solution takes advantage of the economies of scale, that is, it points toward drilling a large capacity well even if this increases the investment cost, rather than drilling several wells, which together will increase the operation costs.

Building drought management capacity in the Mekong River basin

AbstractOver the past decades the Mekong River basin has experienced several droughts, the most recent of which occurred in the hydrological year 2004/2005. Impacts extended across agriculture, forestry, water resources, supply, industry, transport and the environment. In early 2006, the Mekong River Commission Secretariat initiated close consultations with the MRC member states Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam, aiming at the formulation of a common Drought Management Programme, which would enhance the existing drought management capacity and ensure effective support. This paper draws attention to the programme formulation process. It shows how national capacity needs were assessed and synthesized into a basin‐wide capacity development programme. The paper concludes that in the context of international waters enhancing cooperation and capacity in drought management requires a strategic framework as an overall guideline for programme formulation and implementation. It defines a common terminology, mechanisms and linkages to integrated water resources management plans. The programme's long‐term success depends on the ability to sustain the interest of the national partner institutions. Ultimately, enhanced capacity in drought management must demonstrate its impact on the level of vulnerability of the population living under drought‐prone conditions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Review of Global Change: Enough Water for All? by Jose L. Lozan, Hartmut Grasl, Peter Hupfer, Lucas Menzel, and Christian-D. SchonwieseGlobal Change: Enough Water for All?Wissenschaftliche Auswertungen13978-0-521-82479-8

In the foreword to the book, Professor K. Topfer, formerly executive director of the United Nations Environmental Program UNEP , while discussing the relation between water availability and conflicts, even war, emphasizes the identification of water demand and water supply now and for the future in all commonly used catchments, integrated water resources management plans, and programs; as well as safe drinking water. To avoid conflicts in the use of water, he argues for heavy investments in water-saving technologies and water-recycling infrastructure. He underscores that the water crisis is not at all a crisis of water availability but is a crisis of investment in water infrastructure, especially in the development of water administration and governance. In the context articulated by Professor Topfer, the editors of the book state in the preface that the aim of the book is “to contribute to public discussion on our relations and dealings with water. It shall also shape the public opinion towards an integrated view on water and the necessity to ensure enough water for coming generations. . . .” It is a tall order for the book, indeed, for any book. The subject matter of the book is divided into four sections, each comprising a number of articles. After reiterating the importance of water as the source of life, Section 1 goes on to discuss the earth’s water balance, the earth’s surface covered by water, and the availability of drinking water. The main point emphasized here is that sufficient drinking water should be available for all, but the uneven distribution of precipitation on continents is the main cause of water shortages and the resulting hardship for people and the environment. It argues for the necessity of sustainable use of groundwater resources to guarantee a sufficient supply of fresh water for future generations. The role of water in the climate system, the water cycle, and changes in the water cycle are treated next. Also dealt with are warning signals, with reference to water stress, water supply, water quality and health, the impact of climate change on ecosystems, the rise in sea level, and preventing hydrological problems of coastal regions, soil salinization, groundwater salinization, water resources, weather extremes, water pollution, and water conflicts. On the whole, the introduction to Section 1 provides an excellent discussion highlighting different water problems facing our planet. The first section consists of 11 articles. Article 1.1 traces the origin of life, reemphasizes water as the basis of life, and goes on to discuss the settlement of continents; the distribution of micro-

The South African rainfall enhancement programme: 1997-2001

This paper provides a summary of the South African Rainfall Enhancement Programme (SAREP) that was conducted in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. SAREP included an operational cloud-seeding campaign based on the South African developed hygroscopic flare-seeding technology which ran from December 1997 to the end of December 2000. In addition, a radar-based storm climatology was compiled using data collected during the period October 2000 to April 2001. During the cloud-seeding campaign 95 storms were seeded of which 37 were selected for treatment early in their lifetimes. This subset allowed a 'time of origin' analysis to quantify the seeding effect on radar-estimated rainfall. The Thunderstorm Identification Tracking Analyses and Nowcasting (TITAN) software was upgraded as part of SAREP for such an analysis. It was found that seeded storms on average produced twice the radar-determined rainfall that their controls produced. The cost for the additional rainfall was determined to be about R0.04/m 3 . The radar-based storm climatology for the 10 000km 2 target area was compiled using storm lifetime of 15 min and 30 dBZ radar reflectivity as the TITAN storm-tracking thresholds. It was found that more than 2 000 of these radar storm tracks affected the target area during the 7 months from October 2000 to April 2001. By comparing these radar storm tracks with those that were seeded, it was possible to identify the 290 radar storm tracks that could have been regarded as legitimate candidates for seeding. Based on the preliminary findings of this study, it is suggested that if 75 of the legitimate candidate storms in the specific target area are seeded, a marked (~10%) increase in area rainfall over the target area could be realised. This would have considerable socio-economic benefits. It is recommended that further development of this technology should remain a high priority in an integrated water resource management plan for South Africa.

Designing protected areas to conserve riverine biodiversity: Lessons from a hypothetical redesign of the Kruger National Park

The process of designing protected areas to represent all ecosystems in an area adequately is becoming increasingly sophisticated. To date freshwater aquatic ecosystems have seldom been considered in this process. How much of a difference does it make when they are considered as well? This study examined the conservation of riverine biodiversity within 17 assessment units contained by the catchment areas of five perennial rivers flowing through Kruger National Park and two seasonal rivers that are largely contained within this park. Physical river types, fish species and invertebrate families or genera were used as surrogates of riverine biodiversity. Conservation planning software was used to select an optimal set of planning units to represent and maintain riverine biodiversity. The current spatial configuration of Kruger National Park, largely an accident of history, is particularly poor when assessed against the objective of conserving riverine biodiversity. Several alternative layouts are examined. These options are theoretical since there is little current opportunity to reassign land uses in the region. This study shows that substantially improved layouts for both riverine and terrestrial biodiversity are possible, under the constraint of the same total area under protection. The study also shows that even these optimal layouts are only partially successful in efforts to conserve fully representative samples of riverine biodiversity. Because of the longitudinal connectivity of rivers, conservation strategies that extend beyond protected areas are essential. Explicit conservation visions, targets and strategies need to be included in integrated water resource management plans. Based on the results of this study, nine recommendations are provided for increasing the effectiveness of current and future protected areas in conserving riverine biodiversity. These are to use systematic conservation planning to make biodiversity benefits explicit; mend the disconnect between terrestrial and freshwater conservation; use multiple surrogates wherever possible; be strategic about the collection and management of primary data; strive for maximum hydrologic connectivity; resist development pressure; foster good relationships across park fences; where relevant, pursue multi-national cooperation at the basin scale; and engage the value debate and resolve awareness and capacity constraints.

Integrated water resource management plan (IWRMP) in Oman: way forward

Water resources management is a continuous challenge in the Sultanate of Oman. Owing to its rapid development during the last 30 years, the growing economy has brought an increase in urbanization with a high demand for quality water supplies. Increasing demands to be met include agriculture, population increase and rapid industrial and commercial development. These factors have created a lot of stress in the water resources availability in the country. This has resulted in degradation of the quality of the water especially in the coastal areas owing to over-pumping and saline intrusion. To satisfy water users' requirements and safeguard the scarce water resources in the country, an integrated water resources management plan is proposed. This plan is based on the perception of water as an integral part of the ecosystem, a natural resource and a social and economic good, whose quantity and quality determines the nature of its utilization. The integrated approach will review the current water resources situation in the Sultanate of Oman (increasing water shortages, deteriorating water quality, stress in water supplies, etc) and incorporate policy options that recognize these elements, develop national water policy and base the demand for and allocation of water resources on equity and efficient use. The Integrated Water Resources Management Plan (IWRMP) will also consider the capacity building of the human resources working in the water sector, the development of new institutions that will serve and match this goal, the integration of water planning into the national economy and, more significantly, community participation.

Actualizing the Right to Water: An Egyptian Perspective for an Action Plan

Increasing access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation services and improving water resources management are central to the basic right of every human being. Egypt has set an ambitious water agenda in response to the many challenges facing the country and the people. It has successfully met the World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD) water targets by developing and implementing a national integrated water resources management plan during the post 2017-period. Egypt has also taken several measures to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) targets for drinking water and sanitation. It has successfully proceeded in supplying nearly the whole population with access to drinking water, whereas sanitation coverage heavily favours urban areas and only a small fraction of rural areas. This paper aims to shed some light on the efforts exerted by the government of Egypt for equitable and sustainable management of its water resources that benefit both individuals and the society at large.

Integrated water management plans for the restoration of lake Koronia, Greece

: Lake Koronia is a very important ecosystem of Greece which is almost vanishing because of non sustainable water management practice in the region. The ongoing unsystematic economic growth of the area has resulted to water depletion and environmental degradation with serious social and economic impacts. This paper presents an integrated water resources management plan for the reversal of the situation. First, a groundwater simulation model of the complex shallow – deeper aquifer system is developed to simulate the lake‐aquifer interaction. Second, this model is then used as a management tool for the development of alternative exploitation plans of the deeper aquifer. The impacts of these scenarios to the groundwater levels and balance are also considered and evaluated. For sustainability purposes, not only the rehabilitation of the lake water resources, but also the restoration of the disturbed groundwater balance considered. The finally suggested plan is a combination of an engineering project recharg the lake with groundwater from the deeper aquifer, and water saving measures the agricultural sector, through the implementation of a crop change program and the exist irrigation methods.

A Sustainable Water Resources Management Plan for Wadi Hanifa in Saudi Arabia

Wadi Hanifah is one of the major natural landmarks in the middle part of Najd plateau. It represents the natural drain for the surface water of a very wide area. The Wadi passes through the city of Arriyadh and about 70% of the city is located within its catchment area.In the last decade, ground water management programs in the city have contributed to the perennial flow in part of the Wadi between the confluence of Al-Aysan channel in the north to after Al-Hair in the south of the Wadi forming a river in the desert. In addition to that, treated wastewater to the tertiary stage is also discharged into the Wadi. Perennial flow is about 0.4 M mVday and is expected to increase by 3 to 4 folds by 2021.This paper will highlight the importance of Wadi Hanifah to Arriyadh city and shall suggest an integrated water resources management plan for Wadi Hanifah. This plan will provide sustainability to the Wadi utilizing a number of measures. These measures are anticipated to improve flood performance of the Wadi, improve surface water quality and hence protect the quality of groundwater. The plan proposes possible scenarios for water reuse to meet present and future needs of the city.

Modeling subsurface drainage for salt load management in southeastern Australia

Subsurface drainage has been implemented in irrigation areas of South-eastern Australia to control water logging and land salinisation. Subsurface drainage has been identified as a major salt exporter from irrigated areas. The water table management simulation model DRAINMOD-S was evaluated to simulate daily water table depth, drain outflow, and salt loads by using experimental field data from a two year field trial was carried out in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area South-eastern Australia to study different options for subsurface drainage system design and management to reduce salt load export. Three subsurface drainage systems were modeled, deep widely spaced pipe drains, shallow closely spaced drains and deep pipe drains that were managed with weirs to prevent flow when the water table fell below 1.2 m. The reliability of the model has been evaluated by comparing observed and simulated values. Good agreement was found between the observed and simulated values. The model confirmed the field observations that shallow drains had the lowest salt load and that by managing deep drains with weirs salt loads could be significantly reduced. This work shows the value of the DRAINMOD-S model in being able to describe various drainage design and management strategies under the semi-arid conditions of South-eastern Australia. The model can now be used to investigate design and management options in detail for different site conditions. This will assist decision makers in providing appropriate subsurface drainage management policies to meet drainage disposal constraints within integrated water resources management planning.

Managing the impact of gold panning activities within the context of integrated water resources management planning in the Lower Manyame Sub-Catchment, Zambezi Basin, Zimbabwe

Riverbed alluvial gold panning activities are a cause for degradation of river channels and banks as well as water resources, particularly through accelerated erosion and siltation, in many areas of Zimbabwe. The lower Manyame sub-catchment located in the Northern part of the country is one such area. This study analysed the implications of cross-sectoral coordination of the management of panning and its impacts. This is within the context of conflicts of interests and responsibilities. A situational analysis of different stakeholders from sectors that included mining, environment, water, local government and water users who were located next to identified panning sites, as well as panners was carried out. Selected sites along the Dande River were observed to assess the environmental effects. The study determined that all stakeholder groups perceived siltation and river bank degradation as the most severe effect of panning on water resources, yet there were divergent views with regards to coordination of panning management. The Water Act of 1998 does not give enough power to management institutions including the Lower Manyame Sub-catchment Council to protect water resources from the impacts of panning, despite the fact that the activities affect the water resource base. The Mines and Minerals Act of 1996 remains the most powerful legislation, while mining sector activities adversely affect environmental resources. Furthermore, complexities were caused by differences in the definition of water resources management boundaries as compared to the overall environmental resources management boundaries according to the Environmental Management Act (EMA) of 2000, and by separate yet parallel water and environmental planning processes. Environmental sector institutions according to the EMA are well linked to local government functions and resource management is administrative, enhancing efficient coordination.