1.2 Objectives
The main objective of the project is to investigate the hydrogeology of the selected areas
and select appropriate sites for geophysical investigation and ultimately evaluate the
groundwater potential and provide site specific information for water well drilling within
1.5km radius from the user community. The specific objectives includes (but not limited
to):
o Estimation of the potential of the groundwater based on hydrogeological and
geophysical investigation (VES)
A. Desk study
The Hydrogeological analysis was made using different methods.
2
Arsi Zone WME
B. Field investigation
The field activities include:
o Assessment of the structural and geological setup of the area in relation to the
hydrogeology.
o Evaluate the groundwater potential and recommend the likely drilling sites and
method of drilling to be employed.
2. The VES surveying requires often non-vegetated areas. In many places there are
crops. This was a major challenge in few areas.
3
Arsi Zone WME
3. Except regional geological and hydrogeological information no site specific well data
has been obtained. This could have been a very good tool to calibrate geoelectrical layers.
4
Arsi Zone WME
Figure 1 shows the topographic features of the highlands and the lowlands. As shown in
the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) the elevation change from the highlands to the
lowlands..
3 2. REGIONAL GEOLOGY
The regional geology of the rift floor and Arsi highlands where the study area is located
is represented by volcanic units (Pre-Pliocene) outcrop on the rift escarpment or margin
and the recent volcanic cover the entire rift (Kazmin, et al 1980). The Main Ethiopian Rift
Valley (MER) contains abundant acidic lavas and ignimbrites and they are associated
with central volcanoes containing wide calderas. Quaternary central volcanic products
cover the axis of the Rift. On the MER, peralkaline silicic ignimbrites, unwelded pyroclastic
and minor lavas related to fissural eruptions of regional extent are the most abundant
volcanic rocks.
Conducting geo traverse along the exposures and bank of the rivers
Based on the above study parameters, detail geological analysis has been made to
identify the litho-stratographic units, fracture traces and their intersections and in general
to verify the hydrogeological importance of the rock units.
5
Arsi Zone WME
Considering the Regional geology referred from Ethiopian Geological Map (scale of
1:2000000), previous reports and Geo- traverse made and rock exposure observed in the
area different rock units were identified.
The geological method includes observation of the outcrops for lithological identification,
to see the elements of primary and secondary porosity, and investigation of geological
structures. Interpretations of the lighologic units from boreholes log data to deduce the
possible lithological
succession (stratigraphy) of the area. The hydrogeology of the area has been studied
based on occurrence of surface water (drainage system), geomorphology, primary and
secondary porosity of lithological formation, yield, static and dynamic water levels in the
wells drilled at different landscape in the project area.
The study area is geologically located within the eastern flank of the Ethiopian Rift Valley
that shows system of approximately parallel faults with dip slip displacement measured
in hundreds of meters. The main Ethiopia Rift Valley is characterized by the occurrence
of the underlying Early Tertiary volcanic rocks consisting mainly of basalt lava and
overlying Rift related intermediate to acidic volcanic rocks dominated by rhyolite, trachyte,
ignimbrite and tuff.
Geologically speaking the study area is located in the Nazerth group volcanic rocks that
consist of ignirnbrite, tuff, ash, and agglomerates and underlain by basalts.
Detailed geology of the project site is obtained from field observation, logging data from
some boreholes drilled in the area. Correlation of these boreholes and field observation
indicates that the project area is underlain by weathered ash and colluvial deposit at top
followed by pyroclastic fall deposit, ignirnbrite, and finally by basalt. The project area is
located along the north south trending regional fault sub- vertically dipping toward east.
The fault plane is parallel to the fault escarpment located in the eastern part of the project
site.
Structurally the project site is having a trend of NE-SW. Interpreted satellite imagery and
Global Mapper data revealed that the area is located in the eastern flank of the Main
6
Arsi Zone WME
Ethiopian Rift Valley where there are intense faulting and fracture system development.
The northern part of the area is also characterized by the occurrence of intense structure
and linear elements. These structures strike NE direction and dips sub – vertically towards
E to NNE. Some linear features have long strike length and are parallel. These structures
are part of the main Ethiopian rift system that controls the flow path of the Awash River.
In addition, these structures cut across and deflect the stream channel of some stream
course and its tributaries and are recharged by surface water.
The major geological setting of the project site is consisting of the following unit:
- Basaltic unit
- Acidic unit (ignimbrite)
- Tuff
- Recent sediment (alluvial)
4 3. HYDROGEOLOGY
. Direct recharge - water added to the groundwater reservoir in excess of soil moisture
deficits and evapotranspiration, by direct vertical percolation of precipitation through the
unsaturated zone.
2. Indirect recharge - percolation to the water table following runoff and localization in
joints, as ponding in low lying areas or through the beds of surface water sources such
as rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
7
Arsi Zone WME
Assuming groundwater flow is generally the replica of surface water flow it is very
essential to study the groundwater regime on the concept of a basin. Assessment of the
mechanism and amount of recharge is fundamental for sustainable groundwater
resources utilization and management. However, estimating the different recharge
processes is not simple. It requires understanding of the various processes that affect
recharge and quantifying the spatial and temporal variability. Unfortunately, there is no
direct means of measuring groundwater recharge at regional and sub-regional level.
Unsaturated zone between soil and aquifer (flow mechanism through unsaturated
zone, zones with different hydraulic conductivity.)
Ability of aquifer to accept water and variation of aquifer condition with time
Evapotranspiration
Here attempt is made to give the general picture of the recharge process at regional and
sub-regional scale.
The direct and indirect types of recharge can be identified in the region. However, direct
recharge and indirect recharge from rivers are the most important ones.
8
Arsi Zone WME
In the study area, the annual potential evapotranspiration seems to be lower than the
precipitation. Moreover during wet spell monthly precipitation could exceed monthly
potential evapotranspiration, which would result in groundwater recharge. This means
that direct recharge from precipitation in the study area seems significant. However,
during extreme wet months of July and August direct recharge can be of significant in
highly fractured rocks and permeable Quaternary deposits.
3.3 Discharge
Natural groundwater recharge occurs when the groundwater flow (streamlines) intersect
the land surface. Discharge of groundwater is manifested as springs, seepage zones and
base flow of rivers. Often groundwater discharge areas are present in the lowlands, local
and regional depressions, and along the banks of rivers. Discharge areas are intimately
linked with groundwater flow lines and the existence of geological structures.
The groundwater flow direction in the area is to the east and north east following the
topographic gradient. The shape of groundwater contours seems to be subdued
duplication of topographic contours.
9
Arsi Zone WME
sediments and fractured rocks (both the acidic and basic volcanic). The existence of
recharge from rivers is evident by the general decrease of river discharge downstream.
Some of the wider streams that contain relatively thick sand cover in their bed have
continuous flow of water under the sand during the dry season. A considerable inflow of
groundwater is seen in the rivers where the riverbed contains permeable rocks or
sediments. Further downstream water infiltrates again into permeable streambed and
totally dry sand is seen on the same streams further downstream.
4.3 4. Groundwater
The method followed for this project is on the short-term field hydrogeological
investigation and surface geophysical surveying. Both approaches could provide quick
information on the most favorable groundwater site. Geophysical investigation should be
assisted by hydrogeological investigation to provide the necessary information on the
availability of groundwater.
10
Arsi Zone WME
It should be noted that the recommended drilling depth stated in this section is based on
the geoelectrical signatures.
5.1. Methodology
The four different electrodes are used, two of the electrodes are ejecting the current
through the ground at the different AB/2 distance between current A and Current B and
the ejected current voltage is measured by MN/2 between M and N. The current and
potential distance used for this geophysical investigation are AB=1000m and
MN=90mrespectively. Using the Schulumberger array 20 data’s are gathered at different
AB/2 distance along SW-NE azimuth. Following the data collection the interpretation is
done with Winresist software along with the geology and hydrogeology of the area.
11
Arsi Zone WME
resistivity result, layer thickness and investigated depth and anticipated formation types
are tabulated below:
`Fifth 36.4 35.7 53.0— Slightly weathered and fractured ignimbrite Semi aquifer
88.8
12
Arsi Zone WME
Sixth 26.1 18.8 88.8- It may be Weathered and/or fractured basaltic aquifer
107.6 rock
NOTE :- Form geophysical investigation the target depth 150m but the actual depth the
site geologist recommend it.
4.6 6. Recommendation
The detail study of the area already done by consultant but I report raff study of the area.
In general the geophysical study done on Gurach stream, it is in good agreement with
the conceptual hydrogeological model and field observations. The hydrogeology of the
area appears to be similar with wide variability between the lowlands and the highlands
both in terms of lithology and structure. The aquifer is likely to be unconfined to semi-
confined. The presence of interceded pale soils with the volcanic may cause collapse
during drilling. Therefore, the drilling machine needs to have both DTH and mud rotary
drilling facilities. Mud rotary must be used if DTH is not going to be practical. Otherwise
the use of mud reduces the well yield. For this the drilling company needs to be prepared
13
Arsi Zone WME
The site for 1.4km have no accessible road ,so it need road construction to reach
the site.
14