The “Maji Yetu” water resource monitor platform develops decisionmaking tools for (1) national policy and regulative planning and (2) water management decisions and interventions at river basin level.

The Angola Water Resource Monitor is an example of a nationwide water resource management tool under development and the Tanzania Ruaha River Monitor is an example of a river basin level management tool.

Both monitors presently under development apply slightly different concepts to obtain the required data.

Over the years historic data are stored for registration of change in water resources and hydrology which are helpful in the definition of water management policy on National and Basin Levels. The historic data can also assess the impact “on the ground” of water management interventions.

The Maji Yetu websites are publicly available in order to improve the quality of the databases and maximise the access to water related data and knowhow. Through involvement of the water users, administrations and scientists, the quality of data can be improved and create transparency concerning the limits of the water resources. The “Maji Yetu” approach may hopefully contribute to more sustainable sharing of water.

At RIVER BASIN level, the Concept selected for the Ruaha River (monitor) is to remotely monitor

. the status of the low-flow in the Ruaha River Network during the dry season,

. the human activities in its catchments and

. related satellite-based rainfall data over the years.

The collected data develop, over time, an increased understanding of the causes of zero-flow in the Ruaha River.

Through prediction of upcoming zero flow events the accuracy of the developed analysis of the causes of the zero flow in the Ruaha River, is tested.

The ultimate objective of the Ruaha River Monitor is to assist the Rufiji River Basin Authority in the timing and location of management interventions in order to prevent or at least reduce the period of zero flow in the River. The main reason for addressing zero flow is the conservation of the Nature in the Ruaha National Park which is threatened by the increasing periods of zero flow in the Ruaha National Park.

At NATIONAL level like for Angola, the Concept is to first focus on the globally main consumer of freshwater, which is irrigated agriculture. The data visualised by digital maps for the country’s river network will be updated and keep the authorities informed on the current status and through its historic records, change of for irrigation diverted water resources. The website also provides a framework for centralised water resource data for future consultation, improvement and expansion.

Through GIS technology the search for irrigated agriculture is based on deduction of those remote sensing data which resemble irrigated crops in the infrared range like forests, wetlands, parks and other non-agriculture related greenery. Through deduction, a first layer of potential irrigated agriculture is created. Limiting the period of the images to the dry season will distinguish watered vegetation (irrigation and naturally watered) from rainfed crops.

More details from high resolution imagery will further assist to distinguish between riverine vegetation and wetlands vegetation and irrigated crops. Canal and furrow irrigation distribution systems, water reservoirs and other features and GIS techniques to trace irrigation activities can further complement the nationwide mapping of irrigated areas. On an annual basis the data can be checked on changes.

The nationwide organisation of the data and maps is in principle per watershed, preferably as river basins managed units (like basin boards) or sub-basins in case of large river basins.

For Angola the Provincial Administrative boundaries are also included as resource unit, as long as provinces have water resource management responsibilities.

The above described build-up of capacity to monitor water resources is considered for future application on project level. The preformance of an Investment in irrigation can be monitored on request by the financiers on project or programme level.

Comparison of “Pre-Project” crop production with “Post-Project” crop production of a specific project provides insight in the results of the investment for instance in terms of expansion of irrigated area. Successful investment projects can be distinguished from less performing investments and possibly result in corrective interventions.

Within the limits of the resolution of the freely available images (~5m/px realtime resolution) the performance of irrigation infrastructure and individual farms can be monitored and considered for additional measures.