1. Integrated River Basin Management
By Tewodros Assefa
Hawassa University

2. 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

3. 1.1 Definition of Terminologies and Basic Concepts
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)

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

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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.

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Based on size of the area, a drainage unit can be classified as below
Table 1‑1: Classification of drainage unit based on size of the area
Drainage Area, ha
Unit
Greater than 100,000
Basin/Catchment
Sub-basin/Sub-catchment
Watershed
2000 – 4000
Sub- watershed
400 – 2000
Mini- watershed
Less than 400
Micro- watershed

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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:

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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.

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Commission:
An organization which is delegated to consider natural resources management matters and/or take action on those matters. A basin commission’s powers vary, and include advisory/education roles, monitoring roles, undertaking works, fulfilling goals of a specific government’s 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.

15. Thank You!