Water Resources of Ethiopia

The flow of water within a well-defined channel, forming a branched network of interconnected streams and their surrounding land area.

A river's starting point, where water flows from a source like a spring or mountain area.

The point where a river ends, usually emptying into a larger body of water like an ocean, lake, or another river.

The geographical area that's drained by a river and its tributaries.

The boundary line separating different drainage basins, usually formed by high ground or a ridge.

The pattern of how water flows across an area, influenced by geological structure, rock type, topography, and rainfall.

Water sources that are readily available on the Earth's surface, including lakes, rivers, wetlands, atmosphere, and soil moisture.

Water found beneath the Earth's surface, stored in underground layers called aquifers.

A large body of water that moves naturally over land, usually flowing towards a lower elevation.

The largest rivers emptying into the ocean, spanning vast areas and collecting numerous tributaries.

The Rift Valley drainage systems have streams flowing in all directions, with no single primary flow.

The Awash River flows northeastward following the Rift Valley's orientation.

The Awash River empties into a complex of small lakes and marshlands, with Lake Abe being the largest, situated along the Ethiopia-Djibouti border.

The Afar drainage sub-basin experiences minimal stream flow due to a lack of rain, high temperatures, and excessive evaporation.

Lake Afrera and Lake Asale are the primary water bodies in the Afar basin, formed by tectonic activity rather than surface flow.

The southern portion of the Rift Valley sub-basin is characterized by numerous lakes and smaller streams, hence the name 'lakes region'.

The lakes in the southern Rift Valley are located within fault depressions.

Small streams originating from nearby mountain slopes provide water for the lakes in the southern Rift Valley.

The Meki and Katar Rivers flow into Lake Ziway, the Bilate River flows into Lake Abaya, and the Segen River flows into Lake Chew Bahir, illustrating the stream-lake connection.

Some lakes within the Rift Valley are interconnected, with Lake Ziway and Lake Langano draining into Lake Abijata through the Bulbula and Horocolo streams, respectively.

The westward sloping highlands and lowlands of Ethiopia, encompassing major river basins like Tekeze, Abay, Baro-Akobo, and Ghibe (Omo).

The southeastern part of Ethiopia characterized by plateaus like Arsi, Bale, and Harerghe. It's drained by Wabishebelle and Ghenale rivers, which flow towards the Indian Ocean.

The Rift Valley, characterized by its 'inward-sloping' escarpments, creating an inland drainage system. It's a unique section of Ethiopia with a different drainage pattern.

The main river in the Western Drainage Systems, known for its large volume and contribution to the Nile River.

A major tributary of the Nile River that originates in the Ethiopian Highlands and contributes significantly to the Nile's flow.

Flows through the wettest highlands of Ethiopia and contributes to the Sobat River in South Sudan. One section of it flows through marshy land.

The most utilized river in Ethiopia, originating in the highlands and flowing through different regions. It's associated with the Rift Valley drainage system.

A large river in the Southeastern Drainage Systems that flows towards the Indian Ocean. It's known for its size despite being smaller than the Wabishebelle.

The longest river in Ethiopia, located in the Southeastern Drainage Systems. It's known for its vast catchment area but doesn't reach the Indian Ocean, disappearing into the sands.

The key factor that influences how rivers flow and the type of drainage system in Ethiopia. It determines the direction of the slope and the overall flow of the rivers.