WLRC Facilitates Training Workshop on the “Application of Remote Sensing for Water Resource Management”

[WLRC April 2024]: WLRC Water Security and Sustainable Development Hub Project held a training workshop on the “Application of Remote Sensing for Water Resource Management” on April 4, 2024 at Haile Grand Hotel, Addis Ababa.

The objective of the training was to introduce the new water quality monitoring model developed collaboratively by the Hub project staff and the ICT team of WLRC. Besides, the training workshop solicited inputs, opinions, and feedbacks from stakeholders on the water quality monitoring model and tool that was designed for sustainable water management.

At the opening of the training workshop, the Deputy Director of WLRC Dr. Tena Alamirew said the tools and approaches from this training workshop would be a best opportunity for lake/reservoir water quality monitoring. The tool and model was developed based on the Water Security and Sustainable Development Hub project research works since 2019.

A water quality monitoring model was developed using Sentinel-2 satellite remote sensing data set to investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of water quality indicators (Chlorophyll a, Turbidity, and Total suspended matter) at Koka Reservoir. The developed model was transformed into independent software that can serve as regular water quality monitoring tool. The background information, the competitive advantage and the model development approach were presented by Endaweke Assegide and the tool was demonstrated by Yohannis Aragie.

The trainees followed the sessions enthusiastically, and expressed their desire to apply the tool in their water quality monitoring assignments. They in fact valued the tool as and training as important state-of-the art resources and skills filling critical resource and skill gaps in water quality monitoring.

The training was attended by 37 participants drawn from different sectors, and who have prior background on GIS and remote sensing and water resource management. Those sectors and institutes include Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Blue Nile Water Institute, Bahir Dar University; EIWR – Addis Ababa University, Africa Center of Excellence for Water Management, Addis Ababa University, Adama Science and Technology University, Rift Valley Basin Authority, Awash Basin Authority, Ministry of Water and Energy, Federal Environment Protection Authority, Addis Ababa Plan and Development Commission, Addis Ababa Water and Swerage Service Authority, Addis Ababa University-Addis Ababa institute of Technology; Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Industry, Oromia Water and Energy Bureau; Sebeta Fishery and Aquatic Life; and WLRC staff.