Kessem Irrigation Dam – Afar, Ethiopia

Project Overview

River/Basin: Kessem River, Awash Basin (tributary of Awash River)

Region: Afar–Oromia border

Dam Type & Specs: Earthfill dam, ~90 m high, ~713 m long

Reservoir Capacity: ~552 million m³

Irrigation Area: ~20,000 hectares (Kessem Sugar Estate)

Dam Civil Work Contractor: Ethiopian Construction Works Corporation (ECWC)

Dam Instrumentation Sub-Contractor: GKM Consultants and Kistet Engineering

📌 The Kessem Irrigation Dam was built to power Ethiopia’s sugarcane expansion program. Its massive reservoir supports large-scale irrigation, transforming arid lands into fertile agricultural zones.

Kistet’s Scope of Work

Kistet Engineering, in partnership with GKM Consultants, was entrusted with the full-scale instrumentation package for Kessem Dam.

Instrumentation Supply & Installation

· VW piezometers, earth pressure cells, fill extensometer array, inclinometer casings, settlement anchors, VW weir monitor, GEOKON DAQ + multiplexers, VDV license, cables/conduits, surge protection/power, installation & training.

Data Acquisition System

· Installation of Geokon Data Acquisition Systems with multiplexers

· LoggerNet programming for automated data collection

· Real-time monitoring via Vista Data Vision (VDV) software

Training & Capacity Building

· Specialized on-site training for engineers and consultants

· Safe handling of sensor cables during construction

· Operation of readouts, loggers, and visualization software

Gallery