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. 2 Theories and Principle of IRBM 1. 2
1.2 Theories and Principle of IRBM The need for River Basin Management
River basins are the natural entities in which freshwater appears, the ultimate source of nearly all water used and nowadays also the receptors of most wastewater.
From the earliest civilizations up till now, river basins have played an important role in sustaining communities of people and other forms of life. They are used ever more intensively and many of them are under pressure.
In some cases human pressure is reaching the maximum sustainable level or has already surpassed this level.
Severe water competition is resulting between users, sectors and countries. Conflicts between upstream and downstream are on the increase.

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Such conflicts may be exacerbated in international river basins, where socioeconomic inequities among them are often much greater, as are differences in power, and where conflicts may lead to loss of life and a reduced capacity of governments to respond to domestic needs (Murphy, 1997).
The slightly exaggerated term “water wars” is appearing now and then in newspapers (Jaspers, 2000).
The incidence of floods in quantity and in severity is also considered to be increasing. Causal links with unbalanced human occupation and watershed destruction are also likely.
Thus, management of river basins becomes necessary as freshwater and other services provided by basins become scarce and competition increases for their use.

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Appropriate measures in overcoming these problems only can be achieved by considering hydrological function.
Hydrological unit or hydrological cycle is wide and complex encompassing land, water and atmosphere in one single relation, which determine the quality and quantity of water in this relation.
To address several environmental problems that are associated in hydrological function in a certain area, it is appropriate to use a specific natural system, where as much decisive factors as possible are included.
People have adopted river basin as the most understandable natural system that links all water-related decisive factors, such as forest, soil, river and coast.

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In addition, Water policies and new legal frameworks are prepared in order to embody new principles and strategies for integrated water resources management (Global Water Partnership, 2000) as there is a broad consideration that water is a finite and vulnerable resource (ICWE, 1992).
Whenever implementation of water policies and strategies is at stake, it is unavoidable to consider river basins as logical units for water and environmental resources management (Savenije, 2000).

7. 1.2.2 The Need for Integration
River basin development involves the coordinated and harmonious development of the various works in relation to all the reasonable possibilities of the basin (Gunnar, 1983).
These may include irrigation and drainage, electric power generation, navigation, flood control, water treatment, industrial and domestic uses of water, recreation and wildlife.
The complexity of the physical river system, the exchange of groundwater and surface water and vice versa and the continuous interaction between environmental elements is a physical imperative.
To be effective, river basin management should consider all these interactions (Fig 2).

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Figure 2 Concept of integrated approach in river basin management
To prevent or solve problems and conflicts and to meet social and natural demands in river basins, integrated approaches are indispensable.

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Ten specific items are listed as important in the integration process:
Integration of environmental objectives, combining quality, ecological and quantity objectives for protecting highly valuable aquatic ecosystems and ensuring a general good status of other waters;
Integration of all water resources, combining fresh surface water and groundwater bodies, wetlands, coastal water resources at the river basin scale;
Integration of all water uses, functions and values into a common policy framework, i.e. investigating water for the environment, water for health and human consumption, water for economic sectors, transport, leisure, water as a social good;

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Integration of disciplines, analyses and expertise, combining hydrology, hydraulics, ecology, chemistry, soil sciences, technology engineering and economics to assess current pressures and impacts on water resources and identify measures for achieving the environmental objectives of the Directive in the most cost-effective manner;
Integration of water legislation into a common and coherent framework. The requirements of some old water legislation have top be reformulated to meet modern ecological thinking. Other pieces of must be coordinated in river basin management plans where they form the basis of the programs of measures;
Integration of all significant management and ecological aspects relevant to sustainable river basin planning including those which are beyond the scope of flood protection and prevention;

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Integration of a wide range of measures, including pricing and economic and financial instruments, in a common management approach for achieving the environmental objectives. Programs of measures are defined in River Basin Management Plans developed for each river basin district;
Integration of stakeholders and the civil society in decision making, by promoting transparency and information to the public, and by offering an unique opportunity for involving stakeholders in the development of river basin management plans;
Integration of different decision-making levels that influence water resources and water status, be local, regional or national, for an effective management of all waters;
Integration of water management from different member States, for river basins shared by several countries, existing and/or future States.

12. 1.2.3 Objectives of IRBM
The main objective of IRBM is to establish a balance between the existing natural functions of the river system and the developed aspects of the system.
Management actions should fulfill the expectations of the society for industrial use, recreation, nature management, and agricultural purposes.
Primarily, coordination of multiple activities and resolving conflicts, particularly those stemming from negative externalities are the key functions of integrated river basin management.
These are in addition to the traditional objectives of allocation of water, supply, waste treatment, and water quality maintenance.
These activities involve financing and development of infrastructure in a manner that ensures sustainability of the ecosystem and therefore, of water.

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In addition, the objectives of IRBM also include:
Protection of all water
Insuring good ecological and good chemical status
Prevention of degradation of water bodies
Stepwise reduction/elimination of the emission hazardous substances.
Revoking some abstraction licenses to improve the water environment;
Enhancing public water supply by a program of improvement and development;
Enhancing and build waste water treatment plan
Promoting water efficiency

14. 1.2.4 Key Activities in Integrated River Basin Management
Key activities related to water resources development:
Water resources management studies
Master planning and policy development
Investment planning/feasibility studies
Soil erosion assessment and planning of soil erosion control strategies
Water supply and demand assessment
Water resources system modeling
Key activities related to environmental management:
Environmental impact assessment
River and floodplain ecology and rehabilitation
Key activities related to database management:
Data base development
Design of Decision Support Systems

15. 1.2.5 Principles of IRBM
The general principles intended to guide IRBM are (IWR, 2006):
Principle 1: Engagement and ownership by decision-makers as specified in a formal agreement.
Principle 2: Improved river basin management design informed by scientific, social and economic information. Sound scientific information guides effective integrated river basin management.
Principle 3: Application of diverse institutional arrangements to suit the specific needs of individual basins based on differences in hydrology, capacity and stakeholders.
Principle 4: Clear definition of the role and structure of the river basin organization (RBO).

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Principle 5: Strong river basin advocacy driven by strong leadership. Successful river basin management is driven by strong leadership.
Principle 6: Prioritizing actions specified within a River Basin Management Plan implemented over the short-term.
Principle 7: Accountability to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of a River Basin Management Plan.
Principle 8: Local government partnerships for effective implementation.
Principle 9: Integrating functions for collaboration enables horizontal and vertical coordination between a variety of stakeholders in different sectors.

17. Thank You!