Kerkebet Dam: Birth of a Lake
|
By far, the 330 million cubic meters capacity Kerkebet Dam is the biggest man-made dam (lake) in Eritrea. This massive dam became possible through integrated teamwork of local construction companies, local communities, members of EDF, and regional and sub-regional administrations at a total cost of 1 billion Nakfa.
BY
Eritrea’s resolve to develop and bring about social change has been seen in its Government’s determination to transform its agriculture hinged on building dams. The construction of
Kerkebet dam, the largest dam in Eritrea, is a case in point.
Kerkebet dam was built along Barka River with a view to augmenting the water resources of Eritrea and changing the ecosystem of its surrounding. Barka River, the second-largest seasonal river in Eritrea, flows from the highlands to the vast plains of the Gash-Barka region. Therefore, harnessing this river of a big magnitude required careful planning as any slight mistake could lead to flo
Share
The assignment given to Keyih- Bahri Construction Company to build Kerkebet Dam was the first of its kind and, therefore, quite demanding which included the installation of piles for the foundation and erecting concrete panels in the construction of a 23-meter high dam. But the company’s competence in the construction of bridges proved useful for such an exclusive opportunity.
Mr. Mebrahtu Mael
Before moving to Kerkebet, Keyih-Bahri Construction Company was engaged in the construction of major bridges in Alebu and Tokombia, Gash-Barka region, and other parts of the country using a newly introduced BG 22 drilling machine, which was instrumental in the construction of the dam’s foundation.
Eritrea’s resolve to develop and bring about social change has been seen in its Government’s determination to transform its agriculture hinged on building dams. The construction of Kerkebet dam, the largest dam in Eritrea, is a case in point.Kerkebet