Kainji Dam Research Articles

MULTI-DIMENSIONAL MODEL FOR FLOOD VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT IN MOKWA: A CASE OF DOWNSTREAM COMMUNITIES OF KAINJI DAM, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

One of the most devastating and expensive natural hazards in the world today is flooding. Hence, several attempts have been made by different scholars and researchers across the globe and in Nigeria to study flood vulnerability. These studies focused on assessing either the physical or social components of vulnerability without a holistic assessment of all vulnerability components. A multi-dimensional approach to flood risk assessment is required to provide a holistic view of residents’ degree of vulnerability to flooding. However, where the multidimensional approach was adopted the result were aggregated and not localized to specific areas. Therefore, this study attempts to quantify the vulnerability indicators using the participatory approach and develop a multi-dimensional approach for flood vulnerability assessment in Mokwa, Nigeria. Vulnerability was explored through the lens of four dimensions (economic, environmental, physical, and social) and eighteen indicators. The indicators were scrutinized and standardized for easy aggregation and comparability. The indicators were weighted unequally using Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP). Nine communities and 382 households were selected purposively from the downstream area of the Kainji dam for sampling. The data collected were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics using XLSTAT (2014) and spatial analysis in ARCGIS 10.7 environment. The flood vulnerability index revealed that the communities experienced high flood vulnerability from all dimensions; economic (0.71), physical (0.66), social (0.62), and environmental (0.57). The study reported a multi-dimensional flood vulnerability index of 0.65, which implies a high level of vulnerability to flooding. This study has found significant variations in all dimensions of vulnerability among the communities. The study concludes that the multi-dimensional approach to flood vulnerability provides information on the vulnerable population as well as the factors driving vulnerability in the area. The study recommends the use of a multi-dimensional approach, sophisticated models, site-specific indicators, and fine-resolution satellite data for future vulnerability assessment.

Dam operations, local rainfall, changing settlement growth pattern and flooding in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Since 1968 when the Kainji dam was built on the R. Niger in Nigeria, many other large dams, and more than 10 formal, large-scale irrigation schemes have been constructed in the R. Niger drainage basin. By the early 1990s, a perception had developed in the Niger Delta, the floodplain and tidal region comprising the terminal distributaries of the R. Niger, that the operations of these dams and upstream land use have caused a marked reduction in river discharges in the Delta. Concurrently with the dam construction era (1964–1995), there was a 30-year (1968–1998) drought particularly in the Sudan-Sahel Zone of West Africa, a significant section of the R. Niger drainage basin. This negatively impacted the flow regime in the Delta. The long-term low flow regime appears to have influenced the direction of settlement growth in the region. Rainfall started reverting to pre-drought levels circa 1995, promoting spate flows on the R. Niger, its tributaries and the Delta. The consequence has been debilitating quasi-annual flooding also perceived in the Niger Delta as another result of dam operations. This study attempts to elucidate the cause of flooding in the Niger Delta, and particularly the roles of dam operations, local rainfall, and direction of settlement growth on the flooding phenomena. Flooding and flood impact mitigating solutions are proffered.

Human-Hippo Relationship in Selected Communities around Kainji Dam in New-Bussa, Niger State, Nigeria

Human-wildlife conflicts have become a significant issue in conservation and land management of a protected area. The study examines Hippo-Human relationship in selected communities around Kainji dam in New Bussa, Niger State, Nigeria. Data for the study was collected through pre tested structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings from the results revealed that male Hippopotamus is the highest with 75.0% and that 37% were 50 years and above. Majority of the respondents had no formal education (42.0%). 79% of the respondents recorded that Hippopotamus was present in the study area while 82.0% have had to encounter Hippopotamus attack. The crops that are mostly grown by the respondents in the study area are Maize, Beans, Millet, Guinea corn, Rice and Groundnut. In which maize is the mostly grown and raided by Hippopotamus. The findings revealed that 69.0% of the respondents state that crop raiding is the major conflict. Various preventive measures undertaken include: fire and smoke, watch guarding, trapping, scare crow, thorn fencing and hunting, with fire and smoke being the most preferred by the respondents. The victims of these attacks are willing to prevent the attacks with fire and smoke as against killing the Hippopotamus, they should be encourage by factoring compensation into conservation policy to promote the conservation of this species in the study area.

Temporal variation in deterministic chaos: the influence of Kainji dam on downstream stations along lower Niger River

Temporal variation in deterministic chaos: the influence of Kainji dam on downstream stations along lower Niger River

Status of <i>Schistosoma haematobium</i> Infection among Pupils around the Kainji Dam, Niger State: A Paradigm Shift In Infection Rate

Schistosomiasis is the second most prevalent tropical disease after malaria, and a major public health problem among schoolagedchildren. This study was carried out to assess the current status of Schistosoma haematobium infection among pupils around Kainji Dam. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 5 communities around Kainji dam. Urine samples were collected and processed using the standard filtration technique. Filter papers were examined with compound microscope and eggs of S. haematobium were identified with their terminal spines. Data were analyzed with SPSS 23. The overall prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection among the 410 pupils examined was 5.1% and a geometric mean egg count of 5.97 eggs/10ml urine. There was statistically significant association between infection and age with peak infection in age group 12-14 (11.8%, x2 = 14.185, p < 0.005). The males (6.8%) were more infected than the females (2.9%) and there was no significant difference (Χ² =3.1, P>0.05) in infection among sexes. The occupation of Pupils' Parent was found to have a statistically significant association with the risk of being infected (x2 = 38.7, P<0.05), prevalence of infection was shared between the fishermen (47.6%) and farmers (52.4%). Compared to other studied communities, a pupil stands over 400times [OR 412.2 (95% CI: 52.4 – 3245.1)] risk of being infected with Schistosoma haematobium in Yuna community. The lack of infection in 3 of the studied communities could be attributed to the impact of current efforts at controlling Schistosoma haematobium infection around the Kainji dam which is a paradigm shift from what used to be experienced from previous studies. This current experience advocates for intensified efforts at total elimination.
 Keywords: Schistosoma haematobium, Prevalence, Pupils, Kainji dam

Spatio-Temporal Assessment of Vegetation Resource Dynamics in Nigeria from SPOT Satellite Imageries

Vegetation resources in Nigeria are of vital importance for the sustainable development of the country. However, this essential resource is in danger due to the effect of anthropogenic and climate induced impacts. Currently desert encroachment which cuts across the Sahel is affecting most of the states in the northern part of the country particularly the eleven states considered by the Federal Ministry of Environment in Nigeria as the frontline states. Several studies on the Nigerian environment have shown that there are serious threats to the general environment particularly vegetation. Due to population growth and the need for housing as well as the expansion of the over-utilised farmlands across these states, places considered as reserved areas across the country are being exploited to the detriment of the vegetal resources particularly the forest and rangeland areas. This study utilized Idrisi TerrSet (version 18) raster-based remote sensing and GIS software to analyse seventy two (72) dekadal Normalised Vegetation Index (NDVI) imageries from SPOT satellite covering Nigeria in order to assess the anthropogenic and likely climatic impacts on the vegetal resources using the forward t-mode Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with standardised principal components. Results indicated that Component 1 which explains about 69% of the 72 time-series NDVI imageries shows typical vegetation cover over the study area within the time period under study. While component two indicated a cyclic trend differentiating the ENSO events of 1999 and 2009; component three indicated positive anomaly pattern of vegetation NDVI mostly within Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano, Jigawa and the northern parts of Bauchi, Yobe and Borno states. However, Component four imagery indicated a likely link to the 2009 flood that affected Kainji dam and rivers Niger and Benue. For a better result, the integration of socio-economic and high spatial resolution data into an assessment of this kind in future studies is encouraged.

Understanding changes in terrestrial water storage over West Africa between 2002 and 2014

With the vast water resources of West Africa coming under threat due to the impacts of climate variability and human influence, the need to understand its terrestrial water storage (TWS) changes becomes very important. Due to the lack of consistent in-situ hydrological data to assist in the monitoring of changes in TWS, this study takes advantage of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) monthly gravity fields to provide estimates of vertically integrated changes in TWS over the period 2002–2014, in addition to satellite altimetry data for the period 1993–2014. In order to understand TWS variability over West Africa, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), a second order statistical technique, and Multiple Linear Regression Analysis (MLRA) are employed. Results show that dominant patterns of GRACE-derived TWS changes are observed mostly in the West Sahel, Guinea Coast, and Middle Belt regions of West Africa. This is probably caused by high precipitation rates at seasonal and inter-annual time scales induced by ocean circulations, altitude and physiographic features. While the linear trend for the spatially averaged GRACE-derived TWS changes over West Africa for the study period shows an increase of 6.85 ± 1.67 mm/yr, the PCA result indicates a significant increase of 20.2 ± 5.78 mm/yr in Guinea, a region with large inter-annual variability in seasonal rainfall, heavy river discharge, and huge groundwater potentials. The increase in GRACE-derived TWS during this period in Guinea, though inconsistent with the lack of a significant positive linear trend in TRMM based precipitation, is attributed to a large water surplus from prolonged wet seasons and lower evapotranspiration rates, leading to an increase in storage and inundated areas over the Guinea region. This increase in storage, which is also the aftermath of cumulative increase in the volume of water not involved in surface runoff, forms the huge freshwater availability in this region. However, the relatively low maximum water levels of Kainji reservoir in recent times (i.e., 2004/2005, 2007/2008, and 2011/2012) as observed in the satellite altimetry-derived water levels might predispose the Kainji dam to changes that probably may have a negative impact on the socio-economic potentials of the region. GRACE-derived TWS is not well correlated with TRMM-based precipitation in some countries of West Africa and apparently indicates a lag of two months over much of the region. On the other hand, the regression fit between GLDAS-derived TWS and GRACE-derived TWS shows R2 of 0.85, indicating that trends and variability have been well modeled.

Flow effect of Kainji Dam on the Distribution of Water Hyacinth in Kolo Creek, Bayelsa State of Nigeria

Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is an exotic species whose emergence in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria became noticeable at least within the last two decades. The menace of the water weed in the Niger Delta in recent times has been an issue of Global concern. This must have prompted the appearance in the World Bank (1995) reports on the prioritization of major environmental problems in the Niger Delta, of water hyacinth as invasive exotic species together with Nypa palm. The socio‐economic and environmental consequences of this invasive weed to the stream users, as well as to the stream ecosystem, leave much to be done. This study focuses on measuring the flow effect of the Kainji dam on the distribution of water hyacinth in the Niger Delta. Run‐off data were obtained from secondary sources for Onitsha and Lokoja stations. Differences in annual means for pre‐dam and post‐dam run‐off were statistically significant [t‐stat = 2.53 > t‐statcrt(0.05) = 2.228] for Onitsha and [t‐stat=2.96>t‐statcrt(0.05) = 2.228] at Lokoja. The cross‐sectional area of the affected stream, velocity and discharge were measured for each segment of Kolo Creek and Esoghoni creek and correlated with area covered by the macrophyte. Our study showed that flow velocity and discharge negatively correlated with the area covered by macrophyte in both wet and dry seasons. The large hydro power electricity dam has apparently affected the flow regime of the downstream sections of the Niger and consequently altered the discharge and the wetted perimeter of the streams in the area creating an enabling environment for the water hyacinth to strive.

Coping Strategies among Farmers and Herders during Post Conflict Situation in the Kaindji Dam Area of Yauri Emirate, Kebbi State, Nigeria

This study examines the coping strategies among farmers and herders during post-conflict situation in Kainji dam area of Yauri Emirate, Kebbi State Nigeria. The study was conducted in the 3 Local Government Areas of the Emirate. Purposive sampling was used to select twelve villages in the LGAs (4 villages/ LGA). 16 respondents were randomly selected for data collection, to obtain a total of 192 respondents. The result of the study reveals that the average uses of problem-oriented coping strategies score among farmers were 51.8 %, Herders 50.5 %. The use of emotion-oriented coping strategies score among farmers and herders were 38.4 %, 59.7 %, respectively and the average use of social support coping strategies among farmers and herders were 30.0 %, 28.5 % respectively. The study recommends that Government and other donor organizations should assist the conflict actors with relief materials during conflict situation, so that they can cope with the stress and resume normal production activity.

Coping Strategies among Farmers and Herders during Post Conflict Situation in the Kainji Dam Area of Yauri Emirate, Kebbi State Nigeria

This study examines the coping strategies among farmers and herders during post-conflict situation in Kainji dam area of Yauri Emirate, Kebbi State Nigeria. The study was conducted in the 3 Local Government Areas of the Emirate. Purposive sampling was used to select twelve villages in the LGAs (4 villages/ LGA). 16 respondents were randomly selected for data collection, to obtain a total of 192 respondents. The result of the study reveals that the average uses of problem-oriented coping strategies score among farmers were 51.8%, Herders 50.5%. The use of emotion-oriented coping strategies score among farmers and herders were 38.4%, 59.7%, respectively and the average use of social support coping strategies among farmers and herders were 30.0%, 28.5% respectively. The study recommends that Government and other donor organizations should assist the conflict actors with relief materials during conflict situation, so that they can cope with the stress and resume normal production activity. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2013.v3n9p59

Seasonal and interannual validation of satellite-measured reservoir levels at the Kainji dam

Although several studies have demonstrated the potential for inland water monitoring using satellite radar altimeters, the technology still carries with it certain limitations. Therefore, the direct application of altimetry data to reservoir management is often preceded by validation of satellite altimetry data with reliable ground-measured data. Kainji reservoir in Nigeria was selected for this study due to its remote geographical location, hydrological behavior, operational requirements, and morphometry. Validation of Kainji reservoir altimetric levels would highlight the applicability of the technology for monitoring one of Africa’s largest reservoirs with a surface area of 1270 km2. We performed and improved the validation exercise by separating each lake level dataset into two separate seasons: dry and wet, to investigate the effect of different seasons on the relationship between ground-measured and satellite-measured data sets. Lake level data from Topex/Poseidon and ERS/ENVISAT satellite altimeters were compared with gage data from 1992 to 2002. The results suggested a significantly higher relationship between gage and satellite data for the wet season (R2=0.93) than for the dry season (R2=0.77). For interannual validation, the trend was the same for both satellite altimeters but the relationship was generally higher for the T/P altimeter (R2=0.95). Root-mean-square errors in water levels ranged between 0.50 to 0.83 m for both altimeters and seasons, agreeing with values expected for lakes of identical physical characteristics. Key words: Satellite altimetry, remote sensing water, reservoir level variation, Kainji dam, African lakes.

Overview of Dam Development in Nigeria

This paper attempts to put together details of dams’ development in Nigeria. Case studies of dam-related incidents were highlighted. A typical case study of Kainji dam safety monitoring assessment was analysed and discussed. From the results obtained it is observed that majority of the piezometer plot of the spillway points to improving stability especially from year 2000 to 2001. The data collected and analysed indicated some displacement of about 25 mm. in some blocks, which shows an abnormal behaviour and require need for closer observations. The tape extensometers reading and the rod extensometer were briefly discussed.

The role of global warming in the reservoir storage drop at Kainji dam in Nigeria

Statistical analysis of hydrometeorological data (temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, reservoir inflow, reservoir storage and turbine release) at Kainji dam was done with the aim of detecting trends. The non parametric Man-Kendall test was used to detect monotonic trends. The Sen’s slope estimator and regression analysis were used to develop models for the variables. A Man-Kendall statistic S = 374 and a high Z value of 4.6897 reveals there is evidence of global warming in the areas around the dam. This has produced favourable climate conditions favouring increased rain in the areas surrounding the dam. Excess water has been released from the dam to sustain hydropower generation over the years. This has invariably affected storage at the dam. Recommendation was therefore made to the operators of the dam to optimize the release of water from Kainji dam to ensure ideal operation of the dam. Key words: Global warming, Man-Kendall test, Sen’s slope estimator, regression analysis.

Pollution assessment of the lower basin of Lakes Kainji/Jebba, Nigeria: heavy metal status of the waters, sediments and fishes

The objective of this investigation was to examine the heavy metal status of the lower basin of Kainji dam (used for hydroelectricity generation), which includes Lakes Kainji/Jebba, Nigeria, and the potential for human exposure to heavy metals from eating fish caught in the lakes. Water, sediments and fish were sampled from the lakes and evaluated for As, Cu, Co, Cr, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Ti, V and Zn using the EDXRF technique. Fe and Mn were found to be present at high mean concentrations in the water (13 and 9 microg L(-1)), sediment (7,092 and 376 microg g(-1)) and fish (11.4 and 4.6 microg g(-1)) samples. Sb (3.2 microg L(-1)), Ti (4.1 mug L(-1)), Cr (2.2 microg L(-1)), Co (1.2 microg L(-1)), Cu (1.3 microg L(-1)) and Pb (1.2 microg L(-1)) in the water samples and Sb (29 microg g(-1)), Ti (27 microg g(-1)), V (27 microg g(-1)), Cr (27 microg g(-1)), Co (40 microg g(-1)), Ni (33 microg g(-1)), Cu (25 microg g(-1)), Zn (59 microg g(-1)) and Pb (19 microg g(-1)) in the sediment samples were found to be of medium mean concentrations. The other metals were present at trace levels (<1 microg), including As and Hg in the fish and sediment samples. There was an appreciable increase in metal concentrations in going from the water to the sediment samples. The probable source of the pollutants is anthropogenic, arising from agricultural activities, corrosion/abrasion of the ferrous steel material and additives in the lubricants and insulation used for auxiliary services on the turbine floor of the dam constructed on the lakes. However, natural geological sourcing from the underlying lake rock cannot be totally ignored, particularly the high levels of Fe and Mn in the sediment samples. The potential risk for human exposure to these metals emanates from the fish caught in the lakes and subsequently consumed, as there are already significant levels of these metals in the two fish species analysed, Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and Chrysicthys (Chrysicthys auratus).

Observations on the food and feeding habits of the African electric catfish Malapterurus electricus (Gmelin)

The diet and feeding habits of the African electric catfish Malapterurus electricus in their natural habitat in Lake Kainji, and in the River Niger, downstream of Kainji dam, Nigeria, have been described and compared. The study showed the electric catfish is a voracious piscivore. It feeds on cichlids, clupeids, schilbeids and other available fish species. From the size distribution, numbers and composition of the small prey fish species examined in electric catfish stomachs, it was inferred that the powerful high‐frequency electric organ discharge volleys serve as major predatory mechanism.

The Serkawa of Yauri: Class, Status or Party?

The Serkawa, or Sarkawa, of Yauri Division, Northwestern State, Nigeria, provide an excellent opportunity for analyzing the interrelationships of the concepts of three major theoreticians: Frederik Barth, Ward Goodenough, and Max Weber. The Serkawa describe themselves as Hausa who fish and have moved into Yauri in increasing numbers since the late 1960s in order to fill an ecological niche created by the building of Kainji Dam, a major hydro-electric dam at New Bussa, Borgu Division, Kwara State. These professional fishermen, an offshoot of the Sorkawa from Songhai, have moved into the riverine environment which the Gungawa (Reshe) abandoned under governmental fiat. The Gungawa (literally, 'island-dwellers') were resettled on the mainland. The major theoretical problem examined in this paper is that of the interrelationship of the concepts of class, status, and party and their relationship to that of ethnicity. Finally, ethnicity as a mode of identity is examined. The primary objectives of this study are: (1) to examine the consequences of ecology on identity and presentation of self; (2) to assess the interrelationship of Weber's concepts of class, status, and party in a situation of change; (3) to suggest that these are various modes of the same phenomenon; (4) to combine the insights of Barth's optative approach to ethnicity with that of Weber; (5) to analyze the political uses of ethnicity in a multi-ethnic situation; and (6) to apply Goodenough's reformulation of status and role theory to ethnic groups. There are a number of benefits to be derived from using such an approach. Ethnic groups in this framework become social persona whose boundaries can be defined by their distribution of rights and duties vis-a-vis other similarly defined social persona. This approach has the further advantage of making the concepts operational without forfeiting their taxonomic clarity. It also succeeds in focusing on dynamic and relational aspects of stratification rather than on those that are static and descriptive. The presence of distinct occupational groups in an ethnically stratified and pluralistic society suggested the following analytical approach, for these groups presented a problem in understanding the relationship between groups bounded by the principle of ethnicity with those bounded by occupation. It is in focusing on this last type of problem that solutions to the first are suggested, solutions that hold great promise for the advancement of theories of stratification and ethnicity and ultimately for those of group formation itself.

Biological control of Pistia stratiotes L. in Western State, Nigeria.

Pistia stratiotes L. is a free-floating water-weed, common on many waters in West Africa. It is capable of rapid vegetative reproduction by offshoots, and concern has been expressed over a possible infestation of the lake behind the newly closed Kainji dam on the River Niger in Nigeria where the plant is now accumulating. Our discovery of the cause of a die-back of this plant which occurs annually on enclosed and permanent waters in the Ibadan area of Western State, Nigeria, offers some hope, however, that the plant could be controlled biologically on Kainji Lake.