Impact of Land Use/Land Cover Change on Sediment Yield in the Upstream Watershed of Kiri Dam Using SWAT, Remote Sensing and GIS Simulation

Sophia B. Elisha, Saminu A.

Abstract


Reservoir sedimentation is a major challenge affecting the sustainability and operational efficiency of water-sources infrastructure in Nigeria. Kiri Dam, located on the Gongola River in Adamawa State, has experienced progressive storage-capacity loss due to sediment deposition, largely driven by increasing human activities within its watershed. This study assessed the impact of land use/land cover change on sediment yield in the upstream watershed of kiri dam using SWAT, remote sensing and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) integrated with the Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (MUSLE). Land-use/land-cover (LULC) changes between 2003 to 2013 and 2023 were mapped using Landsat imagery and maximum likelihood classification, while hydrological and sediment-yield simulations were conducted using SWAT/MUSLE to quantify sediment yield in the reservoir. The results revealed significant land-cover transformation within the watershed over the 20-years period. Forest/woodland and savanna/shrub areas declined by 2,146 km² and 705 km, from 6,305 km2 in 2003 to 4,159 km2 in 2023 The study concludes that upstream land-use changes, particularly agricultural expansion, vegetation clearance, and land degradation, are the primary drivers of increased sediment yield and reservoir sedimentation in Kiri Dam. It recommends the implementation of integrated watershed-management measures like afforestation, soil-conservation practices, riparian-buffer restoration, and targeted erosion-control interventions in priority sub-basins to reduce sediment inflow and prolong the reservoir's operational lifespan. 


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References


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