Impact of Gurara Dam on Land Cover in the Surrounding Communities of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

This research focuses on the impact of Gurara Dam on land cover in the surrounding communities of Kaduna state Nigeria. The aim of the study is to assess changes land cover condition in communities surrounding Gurara Dam as a result of the Dam construction. This was achieved by analysing the land cover changes between pre-dam (2000) and the post-dam (2013) in terms of spatial extent and percentage coverage.To assess the impact, Landsat (ETM, TM and MSS) covering the area for 2000 (pre-dam period) and 2013 (post-dam period) was obtained. To interpret and verify the accuracy of the satellite imagery; ground truth observation was conducted on the land cover of the study area. Using ArcGIS 10.0 and AutoCAD Map 2013 software, different image processing techniques and analysis were undertaken to produce land cover maps of the study area for pre-dam and post dam period. The extent of area coverage of each land use/land cover was calculated in hectares and express in percentages. The study discovers that in the post-dam period (between 2000 and 2013) the impact of Gurara dam has resulted in substantial changes in the land cover, with losses in fadama land. Forestry, arable land and Rock outcrop by 58%, 9%, 7%, and 12% respectively. Whereas gains occurred in bare land (26%), water bodies (42%), circulation (28%).  Modern irrigation also witnessed gain by 100% and built up area 26%. It is there recommended that, modern technology (Geographic Information System) be provided as mitigation measure to land cover problems in communities surrounding Gurara Dam.

Keywords: Dam Construction, Geographic Information System, land cover, Upstream and Spatial Extent