Why Do Small Earth Dams Deteriorate: Insights from Physical Investigations in the West African Sahel

Mamadou Pousga Junior Kaboré, Abdou Lawane, Roland Yonaba (), Angelbert Chabi Biaou, Abdoulaye Nadjibou and Anne Pantet
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Mamadou Pousga Junior Kaboré: Laboratoire Eco-Matériaux et Habitat Durable (LEMHaD), Institut International d’Ingénierie de l’Eau et de l’Environnement (2iE), Ouagadougou 01 BP 594, Burkina Faso
Abdou Lawane: Laboratoire Eco-Matériaux et Habitat Durable (LEMHaD), Institut International d’Ingénierie de l’Eau et de l’Environnement (2iE), Ouagadougou 01 BP 594, Burkina Faso
Roland Yonaba: Laboratoire Eaux, Hydro-Systèmes et Agriculture (LEHSA), Institut International d’Ingénierie de l’Eau et de l’Environnement (2iE), Ouagadougou 01 BP 594, Burkina Faso
Angelbert Chabi Biaou: Laboratoire Eaux, Hydro-Systèmes et Agriculture (LEHSA), Institut International d’Ingénierie de l’Eau et de l’Environnement (2iE), Ouagadougou 01 BP 594, Burkina Faso
Abdoulaye Nadjibou: Laboratoire Eco-Matériaux et Habitat Durable (LEMHaD), Institut International d’Ingénierie de l’Eau et de l’Environnement (2iE), Ouagadougou 01 BP 594, Burkina Faso
Anne Pantet: Laboratoire Ondes et Milieux Complexes (LOMC), Université du Havre, 76600 Le Havre, France

Resources, 2024, vol. 13, issue 6, 1-21

Abstract: In West Africa, the construction of small earth dams is common against water scarcity. Burkina Faso, an inland country in West Africa, is home to 1001 dams that serve agricultural and pastoral needs. These embankments are predominantly made of compacted laterite, a cost-effective material abundant in over 2/3 of the country. However, these dams degrade over time, hindering their functionality. This study aims to establish a catalog of typical degradation occurring on small dams in Burkina Faso, which is virtually non-existent in the region while identifying and analyzing the potential causes. The study uses a diagnostic analysis followed up with technical visits on a representative sample of 24 dams in the Centre and Centre-South regions as a basis for future studies. The results reveal that these dams were constructed between 1965 and 2018, with capacities ranging from 150,000 to 4,740,000 m 3 . 33% of these dams have undergone total failure, likely attributed to factors such as internal erosion, pore overpressures, settlement, and deformation. Although 67% of the dams remain functional, their structural integrity could be improved. Erosion observed in riprap indicates vulnerability during high flood periods. Additionally, the absence of proper maintenance, as shown by the vegetation development weakening embankments, contributes to deterioration. The analysis also suggests that variability in construction techniques and lateritic material properties across time and regions may further exacerbate degradation. These findings inform infrastructure improvements and policy development for sustainable water resource management in Burkina Faso and similar regions.

Keywords: degradation; detailed technical visit; laterite; Sahel; small earth dam (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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