Hydrological Modelling of the Casamance River in Its Upstream Section (Basin at Kolda Level) to Predict Its Future States as a Function of Different Stresses

Flow records for stations in the Casamance basin are incomplete. Several gaps were noted over the 1980-2021 study period, making this study tedious. The aim of this study is to assess the potential impact of climate change on the flow of the Casamance watershed at Kolda. To this end, hydrological series are simulated and then extended using the GR2M rainfall-runoff model, with a monthly time step. Projected climate data are derived from a multi-model ensemble under scenarios SSP2-4.5 (scenario with additional radiative forcing of 4.5 W/m2 by 2099) and SSP5-8.5 (scenario with additional radiative forcing of 8.5 W/m2 by 2099). An analysis of the homogeneity of the rainfall data series from the Kolda station was carried out using KhronoStat software. The Casamance watershed was then delimited using ArcGIS to determine the morphometric parameters of the basin, which will be decisive for the rest of the work. Next, monthly evapotranspiration was calculated using the formula proposed by Oudin et al. This, together with rainfall and runoff, forms the input data for the model. The GR2M model was then calibrated and cross-validated using various simulations to assess its performance and robustness in the Casamance watershed. The version of the model with the calibrated parameters will make it possible to extend Casamance river flows to 2099. This simulation of future flows with GR2M shows a decrease in the flow of the Casamance at Kolda with the two scenarios SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 during the rainy period, and almost zero flows during the dry season from the period 2040-2059.

Study of the Biological Quality of the Water in the Manantali Dam Reservoir: Analysis of the Fish Fauna and Plankton Communities

The aim of this study of the Manantali dam reservoir is to investigate the biological quality of the water through inventories and analysis of the ichthyofauna and planktonic communities (zooplankton and phytoplankton). Inventories of ichthyofauna and plankton communities were carried out quarterly from 2003 to 2022. The fish populations studied on the basis of bioindicators (species richness, diversity index, equitability index, diversification index) identified 29 species belonging to 10 families. The Cichlidae family is the most represented, while the Schilbeidae and Tetraodontioae families are less represented in terms of number of species. The species Hydrocynus forskalii and Brycinus nurse with relative abundances of 40.12% and 21.4% respectively, both from the family Alestidae, are the most abundant. The species H. forskalii has a frequency of occurrence of 100%. The specific diversity index of 2.9 and the equitability index of 0.6 show an average diversity of fish species. The diversification index of 2.9 indicates a theoretical number of habitats of 2 to 3. The planktonic community is made up of zooplankton and phytoplankton. The inventory of zooplankton shows the presence of 28 zooplankton species belonging to 9 families of the three zooplankton groups Rotifera, Cladocera and Copepoda. Analysis of the frequencies of occurrence of the various taxa showed that the characteristic species of Lake Manantali are the omnipresent rotifers Keratella cochlearis, Keratella quadrata and Trichocerca chattoni. For phytoplankton, the inventories carried out show the presence of 65 species belonging to 5 families (Chlorophycees, Diatomees, Dinophycees, Chrysophycees and Cyanophycees). An analysis of the frequency of occurrence of the various taxa shows that the characteristic species of Lake Manantali are Chlorophycees, with 7 species: Desmidium baileyi, Micrasterias alata, Sphaerocystis schroeteri, Spondylosium sp., Staurastrum heimii, Staurastrum subanchora, Staurodesmus wandae;Diatoms, with one species: Navicula sp. and Cyanophycees, with one species: Microcystis aeruginosa.

Management of Significant Environmental Aspects and Impacts in Accordance with the ISO 14001:2015 Standard during the Operation and Maintenance Phase of Senegal River Basin Development Authority Hydroelectric Works and Facilities: The Case of Manantali Dam

This study aims to determine the environmental aspects and impacts of the phase relating to the operation of Manantali’s hydroelectric structures and facilities according to the requirements of the ISO 14001 version 2015 standard. To do this, the mapping of the different work areas made it possible to identify all the activities within the framework of the farm. Based on the mapping, environmental measurements made including noise level, brightness, electric and magnetic fields, total particles, PM10, PM2.5, PM1 showed the work areas with the exposure limit values exceeded. The inventories of the waste produced show eighteen (18) types of waste, 67% of which are special industrial waste (SIW), 28% are ordinary industrial waste (OIW) and 5% are inert industrial waste (IIW). The identification and assessment of environmental aspects and impacts made it possible to determine sixteen (16) positive and negative significant environmental aspects (ESAs). The positive AES must be maintained, and for the negative ones, mitigation and mitigation measures must be put in place in order to manage them effectively. This will ultimately improve environmental management in the operation of hydroelectric structures and facilities.

Comparative Study of Physico-Chemical and Biological Water Quality Upstream and Downstream of the Manantali Dam and Hydropower Plant from 2019 to 2023

The comparative study is designed to monitor the physico-chemical and biological quality of the water upstream and downstream of the Manantali hydroelectric dam. The physico-chemical parameters are sampled at 3 measuring points located at Station 1 of the dam’s reservoir, immediately downstream of the dam and hydroelectric power station at the level of the damping basin, and at the Bafing-Bakoye confluence at Bafoulabe (Bafing side), the biological parameter (ichthyological fauna) is characterized by ichthyological inventories of landings in the various fishing camps around the reservoir and at the Mahina market (Bafing side). The study assesses the environmental impact of hydroelectric structures and facilities on the physico-chemical and biological quality of the water. Physical parameters such as temperature, conductivity, pH, turbidity and chemical parameters such as dissolved oxygen, nitrite, nitrate, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, ammonium, iron, silica and phosphorus are measured in order to identify the various variations existing between the different measurement points. Analysis of the values obtained shows very high similarities between the various measuring points, and most parameters comply with WHO standards, with the exception of turbidity, manganese, hydrogen sulfide and iron. These data attest to good water quality, allowing normal development of flora and fauna with a low level of degradation. Comparative analysis of the ichthyological fauna shows the existence of 34 species of fish belonging to 11 families at the fishing camps around the Manantali dam reservoir, and 37 species belonging to 12 families at Mahina on the Bafing River. At Mahina on the Bafing, the specific composition of the catches is characterized by the presence of the Claroteidae family and four species (Alestes sp., Brycinus leuciscus, Auchenoglanis occidentalis, Distichodus engycephalus) not recorded at the camps. In contrast, all the fish families recorded in the camps are present in Mahina, and only one species (Hydrocynus brevis) is absent from the Mahina landings. The difference in species richness could be explained by the upwelling of some fish from the Bakoye to the Bafing at the confluence. The Shannon diversity index of 4.07 at Mahina is higher than the 2.98 recorded at camp level, and the equitability index of 0.78 at Mahina and 0.58 at the camp level indicate average diversity and the non-dominance of one species over the others. The diversification index values of 3.09 and 3.08 at camp level and Mahina respectively show that the number of theoretical habitats is three.

Evolution of the Physico-Chemical Quality of the Water in the Manantali Dam Reservoir from 1989 (One Year after Impoundment) to 2022

The Manantali dam is located on the Bafing River in the Kayes region of Mali. It is the main tributary of the Senegal River. The water released from the dam provides year-round access to water for drinking, irrigation and livestock watering. The Manantali dam regulates the river’s flow, generates energy and supports agricultural development in all three countries (Mali, Mauritania, and Senegal). The aim of this article is to monitor changes in the physico-chemical quality of the water in the dam’s reservoir from 1989 (one year after the dam was impounded) to 2022. In order to carry out this work, we analysed the evolution of physico-chemical parameters in Stations 1 and 3 of the dam, on the basis of fluctuating water levels in the reservoir. The results obtained show a similarity in the parameters measured at the two stations, except for iron content, which is higher at Station 3. The average pH is weakly basic (7.44 at Station 1 and 7.29 at Station 3) and the average water temperature is between 26.5°C at Station 1 and 26.2°C at Station 3. The average conductivity of the water at Station 1 is 38.8 μS/cm and 39.8 μS/cm at Station 3, attesting to low mineralization of the water. The oxygen content of 5.75 mg/L at Station 1 and 5.00 mg/L at Station 3 shows good oxygenation of the water, which is favorable for the development of most fish and aquatic plant species. Ammonium levels of 0.02 mg/L at Station 1 and 0.06 mg/L at Station 3 show that the water is not contaminated. In addition, the Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated, showing excellent water quality at Station 1 and good quality at Station 3. Overall, the results obtained show that the water is of good quality, enabling the authorities of the Organization for the Development of the Senegal River (OMVS) to achieve their development objectives.

Physical Characterization and Evaluation of the Water Potential of the Watershed of the Ferlo Fossil Valley, Senegal: Louga Area

This study is an evaluation of the water potential of the Ferlo fossil valley in the Louga area in Senegal. It consisted in determining the volume of water that could be mobilized at the level of a confluence point of the waters according to the flow lines, where a dam would be placed to create a reservoir. This volume of mobilizable water was compared to the average water consumption of the area in order to evaluate its adequacy or not. To do this, a delineation, physical characterization and mapping of the Ferlo watershed was done using Google Earth, Global Mapper and Arc GIS softwares. A catchment area of 28,754 sq·km was obtained with a perimeter of 976 km, an average slope of 0.52% and a hydraulic length of 336 km. Then the decennial runoff of the watershed was calculated using the CIEH method, this flow is estimated at 1120 cm/s. On the basis of this flow, the annual volume of water that can be mobilized was estimated at 11,089,758 cm per year with a solid deposits of 93 cm per year. The conclusions reached are that there is a lack of mobilizable water resources in the area and that the entire fossil valley needs to be rewatered to provide a sustainable alternative water source.

Risk Assessment of Rainwater Overflow from Lake Warouwaye in the Case of a Ten-Year Rainfall in Yeumbeul North, Senegal

This study is a part of a global approach in which, the main purpose is to understand the reasons behind the upsurge of flood events in the peri-urban area of the city of Dakar. Hydrological and hydraulics simulations were carried out to assess the risks of overflowing of the Lake Warouwaye after a so-called exceptional rain. Data were collected through field surveys, as well as site observations of dwellings before and after rain episodes. The simulations were performed using EPA’s Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) software with input data obtained from sub-software and supervisory applications such as Google Earth, Excel, and Global Mapper. The simulation results show factors of natural and anthropogenic origin may contribute to dysfunction hydrological elements such as the watershed capacity to drain and store water. In light of the results of this study, institutional governance efforts are to be made and to be sustained in order to reverse the tendency to occupy rainwater natural flow channels. It will also be necessary to involve the first actors who are the potential victims of flooding caused by the recurrent overflow of reservoirs.