Basin vision
A Rift Valley Lakes basin where the cascading lake system is stabilised, abstraction is regulated, and the unique biodiversity of Abijata-Shalla is recovered for future generations.
Basin Plans · IWRM Framework
Twelve Basins. One Integrated Vision.
Ethiopia's water future is mapped across twelve major river basins, each with its own hydrology, communities, and challenges. Explore the integrated management plan for each basin — features, targets, and where we are today.
Select a basin
Central rift · Oromia, Sidama, SNNP
Rift Valley Lakes
- Catchment area
- 52,739 km²
- Annual yield
- 5.6 BCM
- Plan implementation
- 56%
Key features
- Closed-drainage basin with the iconic chain of lakes — Ziway, Langano, Abijata, Shalla, Hawassa, and Chamo
- Hosts dense horticulture and floriculture clusters around Lake Ziway and Hawassa
- Globally significant biodiversity in the Abijata-Shalla National Park lake system
- Rapidly urbanising basin with major secondary cities — Hawassa, Adama, Shashemene
Thematic issues
- Falling lake levels at Abijata and shrinking water storage in the upper lakes
- Pollution loads from horticulture, sugar industry, and unmanaged urban wastewater
- Unregulated and unmonitored abstraction for irrigation and industry
- Decline in flamingo and migratory bird populations linked to lake-system stress
Key measures
- 01Cap and license all major abstractions from Lake Ziway and the Bulbula river
- 02Restore minimum ecological flows into Lake Abijata
- 03Mandate effluent treatment for all industrial and agro-industrial discharges
- 04Strengthen Hawassa and Adama wastewater treatment to basin-protective standards
Key targets · progressive
- 2027In progress
Stabilise Lake Ziway level within an agreed operational band
- 2030Planned
Restore Lake Abijata water level and salinity to a recovery trajectory
- 2035Planned
Achieve compliant treatment for 100% of major industrial and municipal discharges
Challenges
- Powerful private-sector water users with established abstraction patterns
- Inter-lake water transfer mechanisms are politically and technically complex
- Protected-area management capacity at Abijata-Shalla needs urgent strengthening
Implementation status & updates
56%
- Current phase
- Implementation active · Phase I
- Last updated
- February 2026
The Rift Valley Lakes Plan is in early implementation. Priority actions in 2026 focus on Lake Ziway abstraction governance and Lake Abijata flow restoration.
Institutions
Water Resources Management Platforms
Integrated basin management depends on the institutions that convene, decide, and act. Five platforms operate across Ethiopia's basins to align government, communities, partners, and technical experts.
- 12Members
River Basin Authorities
Role · Lead implementation of integrated basin plans
Federal authorities responsible for planning, allocating, and regulating water resources within each major basin. The Awash, Abbay, Omo-Gibe, and Rift Valley authorities are operational, with others being established.
- 36Members
Basin High Councils
Role · Multi-stakeholder governance and oversight
High-level basin councils convene federal ministries, regional bureaus, and civil society to oversee basin priorities, endorse plans, and resolve cross-jurisdictional water issues.
- 220Members
Stakeholder Forums
Role · Community and user-group engagement
Sub-basin and woreda-level forums bring together farmers, pastoralists, women's groups, industry, and local government to inform allocation and resolve day-to-day water disputes.
- 8Members
Inter-Ministerial Committee
Role · Federal policy alignment
Brings together MoWE, Agriculture, Finance, Environment, Health, and others to align water-sector decisions with national development, fiscal, and environmental priorities.
- 64Members
Technical Working Groups
Role · Specialist analysis and standards
Cross-institutional working groups on hydrology, irrigation, water quality, climate, and gender provide technical inputs to basin plans and national IWRM frameworks.
Documents
Basin Plan Resources
Foundational documents, manuals, and reports that guide integrated basin planning across Ethiopia. Final basin-specific plans will be added to this library as they are approved and published.
- Coming soon
National IWRM Framework
The overarching national framework for integrated water resources management in Ethiopia, setting out principles, institutional roles, and planning hierarchy.
PDF · 4.2 MB · 2023
- Coming soon
Basin Plan Preparation Manual
Step-by-step methodological guide for preparing an integrated basin plan, including stakeholder engagement, data requirements, and approval pathway.
PDF · 6.8 MB · 2024
- Coming soon
Hydromet & Water Quality Monitoring Guidelines
Standards for siting, operating, and maintaining hydrological and water-quality monitoring stations across the basin gauging network.
PDF · 2.1 MB · 2023
- Coming soon
Water Allocation & Permitting Guidelines
Procedures for volumetric allocation, abstraction permitting, and compliance monitoring under the Water Resources Management Proclamation.
PDF · 3.5 MB · 2024
- Coming soon
Basin Stakeholder Engagement Handbook
Practical handbook for basin authorities and councils on convening, consulting, and reporting back to basin-level stakeholders.
PDF · 1.8 MB · 2023
- Coming soon
Basin Plans Annual Implementation Report 2024
Annual progress report on integrated basin plan implementation across all twelve basins, with status indicators and forward-look priorities.
PDF · 9.4 MB · 2024