8.

IRRIGATION BARRAGES
8.1 Background
The ten barrages on the Shabelle and Juba Rivers are probably the most signicant pieces of irrigation infrastructure in Somalia. They were constructed to increase the water depth in the river and divert the ow for irrigation purposes. The barrages were built of concrete with mechanical, metal gate structures, which can be opened during ood times. In Somalia, irrigation barrages were developed in the middle and lower parts of the two rivers from as early as the 1920s to irrigate land for commercial and food crops. Good topography permitted gravity irrigation through a network of canals. A total of nine barrages were built on the Shabelle River, and one on the Juba River. Their locations are given in Figure 8.1.

Figure 8.1: Map of geographical location of barrages and irrigation schemes

Apart from a few areas where rain-fed agriculture is practiced, Somalia depends largely on irrigated agriculture to feed her people. The bulk of the irrigated agriculture is practiced along the riverine areas of the Juba and Shabelle Rivers through gravity ow. Barrages play a big role in controlling water off-take of the main (primary) canals, which subsequently connect to secondary and tertiary canals that irrigate the farms. Unfortunately the barrages and other irrigation infrastructure, started to deteriorate in the early 1990s after the fall of the central Government (SWALIM Technical Report No W-05). To improve on irrigated agriculture there is need for rehabilitation of these barrages, primary canals and other related infrastructure. Details about individual barrages, including the current status, are summarised below.

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8.2 Details of individual barrages

8.2.1 Sabuun barrage Established in 1970s by the Somali Government in Sabuun village, Jowhar District - Middle Shabelle Region to regulate supply of irrigation water and to protect irrigated lands from ooding. There are seven gates tted to the barrage, which regulate the water level through manual lifting gear. 50 942 ha Jowhar sugar cane scheme FAO/Duduble Canal that feeds the Jowhar Off Stream Storage Reservoir Barrage gates and canal intake rehabilitated in 2006-2008. Barrage structure is in good condition; however, the main canal is silted and overgrown by trees and vegetation. Canal desiltation and headwater regulator rehabilitation

Brief history

Command area Irrigation schemes served Primary canals Last intervention Current status Intervention requirements

Table 8.1: Summary details about Sabuun barrage

Area around Sabuun barrage from 2008 aerial photos

Sabuun barrage as of 2008 Figure 8.2: Sabuun barrage and associated canals

Intake to FAO canal under rehabilitation in 2008

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8.2.2 Balcad barrage Brief history Command area Irrigation schemes served Primary canals Last intervention Current status Intervention requirements Established in 1967, in Balcad District Middle Shabelle Region, to regulate river levels and reduce ooding downstream. The barrage has 12 gates tted with manual lifting gear. 10 000 ha Balcad cotton project Yaaqlow / Mashruuca Not in SWALIMs records; however eld reports indicate that recent work has been done on the barrage by individuals. Reasonable Mechanical rehabilitation of barrage; civil works on river channel; canal desiltation, etc.

Table 8.2: Summary details about Balcad barrage

Area around Balcad barrage from 2008 aerial photos

Balcad barrage 2010 Figure 8.3: Balcad barrage and associated canals

Silted canal taking off Balcad barrage

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8.2.3 Janaale barrage Established in 1927, in Qoryooley District Lower Shabelle Region, to divert water into canals and regulate river levels to reduce ooding downstream. In all barrages in the Lower Shabelle Region, this is the major barrage, whereby the operation of the other six downstream barrages depends on it. The barrage is tted with 11 gates that utilise manual lifting gears. 67 440 ha The Janaale Buulo Mareerta irrigation schemes Primo Secondario, Asayle and Dhame Yasin canals. There are also a number of upstream direct intake canals that depend on the barrage too. Desiltation of primary canals in 2009 Poor engineering design works are ready for rehabilitation of barrage in late 2011 / early 2012. This will include replacement of all gates and gears as well as barrage superstructure. Replacement of barrage gates, lifting gears and barrage super structure; erosion control downstream

Brief history

Command area Irrigation schemes served Primary canals Last intervention Current status Intervention requirements

Table 8.3: Summary details about Janaale barrage

Area around Janaale barrage from 2008 aerial photos

Janaale barrage as of 2009

Broken Janaale barrage gate bracket in 2009

Figure 8.4: Janaale barrage and associated canals

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8.2.4 Mashallaay barrage Established in 1986, in Qoryooley District to regulate river levels and provide additional water for irrigation through Primo Secondario canal. Barrage tted with 8 gates. Lifting mechanism composed of a lifting gear and electric motor. The barrage has never functioned due to faulty link canal design (water ow was in opposite direction, from Primo Secondario to the Shabelle River). 27 000 ha The Janaale Buulo Mareerta irrigation schemes Link canal that feed into the Primo Secondario canal None Very good barrage structure, poor gates and lifting gears Re-design of barrage to raise water level upstream; desiltation of canals

Brief history

Command area Irrigation schemes served Primary canals Last intervention Current status Intervention requirements

Table 8.4: Summary details about Mashallaay barrage

Area around Mashallaay barrage from 2008 aerial photos

Mashallaay barrage in 2007

Canal intake at Mashallaay barrage in 2007

Figure 8.5: Mashallaay barrage and associated canals

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8.2.5 Qoryooley barrage Established in 1955, in Qoryooley District Lower Shabelle Region, to regulate river levels and divert water to Fomari (Wadajir) and Libaan canals. The barrage was tted with a manual lifting gear with turning wheels. 4 120 ha Janaale Buulo Mareerta irrigation schemes Libaan and Farhano New lifting gears tted in 2009 Good Erosion protection downstream of barrage; desiltation of river upstream of barrage

Brief history Command area Irrigation schemes served Primary canals Last intervention Current status Intervention requirements

Table 8.5: Summary details about Qoryooley barrage

Area around Qoyooley barrage from 2008 aerial photos

Qoryooley barrage before rehabilitation

Qoryooley barrage in 2009 after rehabilitation

Figure 8.6: Qoryooley barrage and associated canals

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8.2.6 Falkeerow barrage Established in 1955 by the Italian Government, in Qoryooley District Lower Shabelle Region, to regulate the river levels and divert water into Furuqulay, Bakooro and other canals for irrigation. The barrage has 9 gates lifted manually using a lifting gear. 26 800 ha The Janaale Bulo Mareta irrigation schemes Furuqulay and Bakooro canals Erosion protection and replacement of lifting gears and general service of gates in 2009 Good Additional mechanical works; desiltation of canals and additional river erosion protection downstream the barrage.

Brief history Command area Irrigation schemes served Primary canals Last intervention Current status Intervention requirements

Table 8.6: Summary details about Falkeerow barrage

Area around Falkeerow barrage from 2008 aerial photos

Falkeerow barrage before rehabilitation

Falkeerow barrage after 2009 rehabilitation (civil works)

Figure 8.7: Falkeerow barrage and associated canals

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8.2.7 Kurtunwaarey barrage Established in 1986 by the Somali Government, in Kurtunwaarey District Lower Shabelle Region to abstract water through canals to support irrigation of farms for drought displaced population. It has 8 gates, and the lifting mechanism comprise of mounted slides on steel structures. 5 000 ha Kurtunwaarey settlement scheme Towiq, Hagaag, Shanad, Sadixad Replacement of gates and lifting gear; river desiltation in 2009 Operational and in good condition Erosion protection of river downstream of barrage

Brief history

Command area Irrigation schemes served Primary canals Last intervention Current status Intervention requirements

Table 8.7: Summary details about Kurtunwaarey barrage

Area around Kurtunwarey barrage from 2008 aerial photos

Kurtunwaarey barrage before rehabilitation

Kurtunwaarey barrage after the 2009 rehabilitation

Figure 8.8: Kurtunwaarey barrage and associated canals

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8.2.8 Sablaale barrage Established in 1987 by the Somali Government, in Sablaale District Lower Shabelle Region, to divert water into Sablaale irrigation settlement scheme. It has a single main gate with a manual lifting gear and 4 weirs. 940 ha Farjano / Sablaale settlement scheme Several small canals None Structure in good condition; canals in poor condition; access road broken and river meanders bringing little/no water during the dry season. Replacement of lifting gear and gates; repair of access road and river desilting and alignment

Brief history Command area Irrigation schemes served Primary canals Last intervention Current status Intervention requirements

Table 8.8: Summary details about Sablaale barrage

Area around Sablaale barrage from 2008 aerial photos

Broken access road to Sablaale barrage in 2007 Figure 8.9: Sablaale barrage and associated canals

Sablaale barrage structure in 2007

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8.2.9 Hawaay barrage Established in 1926 by the Italian Government, in Baraawe District Lower Shabelle Region, to divert water into Hawaay Irrigation scheme and to serve small canals irrigating farms neighbouring the River Shabelle. It has 1 slide main gate and a number of sluice gates. 3 000 ha Hawaay irrigation settlement Several small canals None Very poor, with structural problems; river changed course The whole structure needs replacement, aligning of river channel and desiltation of all irrigation water canals

Brief history Command area Irrigation schemes served Primary canals Last intervention Current status Intervention requirements

Table 8.9: Summary details about Hawaay barrage

Area around Hawaay barrage from 2008 aerial photos

Hawaay barrage in 2007 Figure 8.10: Hawaay barrage and associated canals

Canal intake at Hawaay barrage in 2007

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8.2.10 Fanoole barrage Brief history Command area Irrigation schemes served Primary canals Last intervention Current status Intervention requirements Established in 1977 to divert ow of water to be used mainly for irrigation in the Fanoole rice irrigation scheme in Jilib District Middle Juba Region. 15 250 ha Fanoole rice irrigation scheme Several small to medium canals None Good structure, but river changed course leaving the barrage hanging on the river side Aligning river; mechanical and structural investigations required to guide rehabilitation works.

Table 8.10: Summary details about Fanoole barrage

Area around Fanoole barrage from 2008 aerial photos

Closer view of Fanoole Figure 8.11: Fanoole barrage

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