Chini | |
---|---|
Coordinates | 13°39′20″N 39°07′30″E / 13.655626°N 39.124926°E |
Type | Freshwater artificial lake |
Basin countries | Ethiopia |
Surface elevation | 2,580 m (8,460 ft) |
Settlements | Melfa |
Chini is a small reservoir located in Melfa (Dogu’a Tembien woreda, Tigray Region, Ethiopia). The 151-metres long earthen dam that holds the reservoir was built in 1993 by the Relief Society of Tigray.[1] It was mainly constructed for purpose of livestock watering. The catchment of the reservoir is 1.86 km² large, with a perimeter of 5.15 km and a length of 1800 metres. The reservoir suffers from rapid siltation.[2] The lithology of the catchment is composed of Ashangi Basalts.[1] Part of the water that could be used for irrigation is lost through seepage; the positive side-effect is that this contributes to groundwater recharge.[3] Actually, in the wider surrounding of the reservoir, both upstream and downstream the level of the watertable has strongly raised, and the area has become remarkably greener.