Socio-economical feasibility study for a proposed weir on the Magoye River, Zambia

Abstract: The Magoye River is located in the Southern Province of Zambia. This is the most drought prone region in Zambia and a lot of water bodies dry up during the dry seasons, including the Magoye River. Small scale livestock farming is widespread in the area and low water availability during dry seasons forces local farmers to push their cattle long distances for drinking water and grazing during dry seasons. Having cattle spending long periods far away from their farm poses health risks and agricultural management difficulties. In an attempt to increase water availability during dry seasons a local stakeholder forum has proposed a weir construction on the Magoye River. This study assesses the socio-economical impacts and feasibility of this proposal. This study finds that although a new weir on the Magoye River would increase the dry season water availability it would not affect grazing availability, which is already low during dry seasons, much. As such, cattle would still have to leave their farms during the dry season when grazing is depleted. Therefore, a proposed weir would have to be accompanied by expanded irrigation and water withdrawal in the area to increase grazing availability for it to be feasible. On the other hand, as water resources are already under stress in the catchment area increased water withdrawals might come in conflict with downstream water users.