Integrated River Basin Management

By Tewodros Assefa

Hawassa University
Chapter 1. Introduction

1.1 Definition of Terminologies and Basic Concepts

1.2 Theories and Principle of IRBM

1.3 Processes/Phases in Integrated River Basin Management

1.4 Questions/Tutorials
1. Introduction

1.1 Definition of Terminologies and Basic Concepts

In this course, a number of terms will be used .

The most important and frequently used terms are described as follows.

River basin:

defined as the geographical area determined by the watershed limits of

the system of waters, including surface and underground waters, flowing
into a common terminus (cf. Helsinki Rules, International Law
Association, 1966, article II).

also be defined as an area that drains via a specific river; an area where
the surface runoff flows towards and passes through the mouth of a specific
river; for example, the Nile Basin, Zambezi River basin etc (Fig. 1)
Introduction continued

(a) (b)
Figure 1. (a) Blue Nile River basin and (b) Awash River basin
Introduction continued

Watershed: A line in the landscape (e.g. a ridge) that delineates a

catchment. The surface runoff on each side of the watershed will
proceed towards different locations.

In American English, a watershed is the same as a catchment or a

drainage basin.

Catchment: An area, delineated by watersheds, within which the

surface runoff will flow towards a specific location.

A river basin is a catchment, but a catchment can also be a smaller part

of a river basin.
 Introduction continued

Based on size of the area, a drainage unit can be classified as below

Table 11: Classification of drainage unit based on size of the area

Drainage Area, ha Unit

Greater than 100,000 Basin/Catchment
40 000- 100 000 Sub-basin/Sub-catchment
4000- 40 000 Watershed
2000 4000 Sub- watershed
400 2000 Mini- watershed
Less than 400 Micro- watershed
Introduction continued

Management: described as the attainment of organizational goals

and objectives in an effective and efficient manner through planning,
organizing, leading and controlling the organizational resources
(Malano & van Hofwegen, 1999).

River basin management: Management of water resources, water-

related resources and water-related development in a river basin.

Integrated water resources management: management of surface

and subsurface water in a qualitative, quantitative and environmental
sense from a multi-disciplinary and participatory perspective.

River basin planning: The process of collecting and analyzing river

basin data and evaluating management measures in order to achieve
the objectives within prescribed timescales.
Introduction continued

Integrated river basin management (IRBM): the management of

all surface and subsurface water resources of the river basin in its
entirety with due attention to water quality, water quantity and
environmental integrity.

Different terminologies are interchangeably used to describe IRBM

including: Integrated Water Management (IWM) and Integrated Water
Resource Management (IWRM).

Consensus similarly varies over a definition of what IRBM actually

means and the following are definitions given to IRBM by various
organizations.
Introduction continued

Global Water Partnership (GWP) 2000:

A process which promotes the coordinated development and

management of water, land and related resources, in order to
maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable
manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems.

Motueka River Catchment, New Zealand:

A process that recognizes the catchment as the appropriate organizing

unit for understanding and managing ecosystem processes

in a context that includes social, economic and political

considerations, and

guides communities towards an agreed vision of sustainable land and

water resource management for their catchment.
Introduction continued
Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council, Australia:

A process through which people can develop a vision, agree on shared

values and behaviors, make informed decisions and act together to
manage the natural resources of their catchment.

Division of Water, Environment & Forestry Technology, CSIR,

South Africa:

A process which recognizes the need to integrate all environmental,

economic and social issues within (or related to) a river basin into an
overall management philosophy, process and strategy or plan.

World Wildlife Fund :

The process of coordinating conservation, management and

development of water, land and related resources across sectors
within a given river basin, in order to maximize the economic and
social benefits while preserving & restoring freshwater ecosystems.
Introduction continued

Easter et al., (1985):

the process of formulating and implementing a course of action
involving water and related land resources of a watershed, taking
into account related social, economic, environmental, and
institutional factors, with special emphasis on the linkages between
upstream and downstream parts of a watershed and their respective
human and physical endowments.

River Basin Organizations (RBOs):

organizations that deal with the management of rivers, lakes,

wetlands, aquifers, and land within the hydrological boundaries of a
basin.

There are many different types of RBOs and these are:

 Introduction continued
Advisory Committee:
A formalized or quasi-formal organization in which individuals take
responsibility for undertaking action planning and provide advice;
governments hand over strategic planning to such organizations; they
frequently have no or limited legal jurisdiction.

Authority:
An organization which makes planning decisions at a central or regional
government level; may set and enact regulations, or have development
consent authority; authorities are founded on democratic principles and
a framework of law to which all relevant individuals and institutions are
subject in a basin setting.

Association:
Similar to an Advisory Committee, this is an organization of like-minded
individuals and groups with a common interest. In a river basin they
have varying roles: providing advice, stimulating basin awareness,
education and ownership of basin natural resources management issues;
educational functions and information exchange.
Introduction continued

Commission:
An organization which is delegated to consider natural resources
management matters and/or take action on those matters. A basin
commissions powers vary, and include advisory/education roles,
monitoring roles, undertaking works, fulfilling goals of a specific
governments charter or an international agreement.

Council:
A formal group of experts, government ministers, politicians, NGOs
and lay people brought together on a regular basis to debate matters
within their sphere of basin management expertise, and with advisory
powers to government.

Corporation:
A legal entity, created by legislation, which permits a group of people,
as shareholders or members to create an organization, which can then
focus on pursuing set objectives, and empowered with legal rights
which are usually only reserved for individuals, such as to sue and be
sued, own property, hire employees or loan and borrow money.
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Tribunal:
A basin entity which has formalized procedures and quasi-judicial
powers; a heavy emphasis on bureaucratic decision making; major
decisions are taken by independent bodies, like a water pricing
tribunal.

Trust:
A legal device used to set aside money or property of one person for the
benefit of one or more persons or organizations. It is an organization
which undertakes river basin works; develops and implements a
strategic plan; it keeps monies raised in trust for the benefits of its
citizens.

Federations:
Collaboration of organizations or departments within one government
or between state and national governments to establish and undertake
actions for river basin management.
Thank You!