Journal of Aquaculture Research & Development

Abstract

Assessment of Physico-chemical Water Quality of Bira Dam, Bati Wereda, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Tessema A, Mohammed A, Birhanu T and Negu T

Bira dam was constructed in Bati district in 1986 through the aid of International Red Cross Association for food security purpose. The study was conducted from January to September 2013. The objective of the study was to assess physico-chemical parameters of Bira dam. Current total area, average depth of the reservoir were measured using GPS and rope respectively, physico-chemical parameters were taken monthly from January to September 2013 from three sites. Digital Multimetres were used to measure pH, Temperature, conductivity and Turbidity value. SPSS Version 16 was used to analyze the collected data. Univarate test was used to test the physico-chemical parameters difference among sites and months. The mean value of pH, Temperature, Turbidity and conductivity 7.02, 24.11°C, 24.60 NTU and 399.00 μS/cm respectively. There was no significant difference in all physico-chemical parameters among sites (P>0.05). There was significant difference in water Temperature, Turbidity and conductivity by month (P<0.05). The current total area of the dam is 18 hectare which was 42 hectare when the dam was constructed; the depth also reduces from 20 to 4.33 m. Since the watershed of the dam is highly degraded, the dam will be totally dried if the situation continues. The turbidity value of Bira dam was higher than most studied dams in Ethiopia, therefore watershed of the dam should be properly managed though full participation of dam users.