INTRODUCTION

Background

In Kenya the quantity of water available for domestic and agricultural use is not sufficient. To rely upon

stream flow at a time when temperature and evaporation are often at a peak can be unrealistic and risky. It

may become essential for a dam to be constructed on a river or stream to allow off storage of vital water

supplies.

Dams serve a primary purpose of retaining water which can be used for several purposes such as domestic

use, generating electricity or obtaining water which can be used for irrigation. Dams maybe of various

types such as earth and rock fill dams, concrete and masonry dams.

Site analysis and inventory

Kenyatta University is an institution of higher learning located in Kahawa, Nairobi County. The total area

of the Kenyatta University is approximately 1100 acres. The coordinates of Kenyatta University main

campus are 1°10'50.0"S, 36°55'41.0"E. and the population according to school records is approximately

50,000.

The ever growing population in Kenyatta University has necessitated the need for a construction of a dam

to ensure that the problem of water scarcity is dealt with.

I narrowed down on 2 potential sites across which the dam may be constructed.

1.Along River Ruiru which is in Ruiru around Kenyatta university Ruiru Campus.

3.Kiu River behind Kahawa Barracks

These sites have to be analysed and after selecting the most viable site I will then design a dam across the

river to impound water to be used for irrigation purposes.

Site selection of reservoir

Dams are supposed to satisfy two main requirements: Imperviousness and stability under all conditions of

operation. If a suitable site can be found, constructing a small earth dam at a valley site is a cost effective

way to create a water storage reservoir, this is because it has a high water storage capacity per cubic meter

of soil removed. Nevertheless, the impact of a small earth dam being washed away in a flood could be

very serious and endanger lives and property. This is particularly so for valley dams where a large

quantity of water suddenly released would be channeled down the valley.

Site selection criteria

1.Topography

The topography through which River Kiu flows through is relatively plain and flat while the topography

through which River Ruiru flows is characterized by steep slopes and valleys. Although it would prove

easier to construct an earth dam where the topography is plain, it would be more viable to construct the

dam in Ruiru because it will achieve high water storage capacity per cubic meter of soil removed

2. Geology and Foundation Conditions

Suitable foundation must be available. The site along river Ruiru is characterized by shallow red clays

soils, which are poorly drained, but after treatment they could support an earth dam.

Both locations have ground that is predominantly red soil which has high load bearing capacity and

therefore can provide surface for strong foundations.

3. For economy, the length of the dam should be as small as possible, and for a given height, it

should store the maximum volume of water. This will most likely be achieved along river Ruiru since

it has a higher volume of water all year round and the topography of the land through which it flows is

characterized by valleys while River Kiu flows through flat undulating land.
4. Materials required for the construction of dam should be easily available, either locally or in the

near vicinity. Materials for the construction of an earth dam are natural materials and are therefore

available in both the site locations.

5. The value of land and property submerged by the proposed dam should be as low as possible.

The value of land in Kahawa is relatively higher compared to value of land in Ruiru where the dam is to

be constructed because the area is generally a wetland.

6. The dam site should be easily accessible, so that it can be economically connected to important

towns and cities. River Kiu is relatively accessible compared to River Ruiru, although it is not entirely

inaccessible.

Arriving at the better site.

Both sites fulfilled most of the geophysical and technical requirements of a site for dam construction. I

had to further evaluate other factors such as cost of construction and maintenance, life of dam and

aesthetics. Although it will generally cost more to construct and maintain a dam along River Ruiru than

along River Kiu, the life of the dam and the returns on investments will eventually prove worthwhile. I

therefore eventually settled on the site along river Ruiru.