Numerical Groundwater Flow Modelling: of the Awassa Catchment, Part of East African Rift Valley

Groundwater flow modelling is important to calculatethe quantity and quality of groundwater for betterprotection and management. The modelled aquifer isextensively used for irrigation, municipal, anddomestic water supplies and this study documents thedevelopment and calibration of a numerical model tosimulate the groundwater flow. The model is also usedto show interaction between groundwater and surfacewater. A three-dimensional groundwater flow model,with one unconfined layer, was used to simulategroundwater flow in the Lake Awassa Basin. Asensitivity analysis to changes in model parametersincluding horizontal hydraulic conductivity,recharge, and pumpage was made. The study isimportant to start with for developing a moredetailed transient model.