8 Cumulative Impacts of Climate Change Variability …
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2.4.4 Climate Around Goronyo Dam
Like the rest of West Africa, the climate of the region is controlled largely by the two
dominant air masses affecting the sub-region. The regions are also associated with
the movement of air masses of the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone north and south
of the equator.
3 Methodology
3.1 Data Collection and Analysis
Data for this study was generated through field visits to the dam site on 30 November
2018, and geographical review of the Goronyo Dam by comparing historical data
from imagery, field observations and assessment of the dam and water shortage
evidence, and field assessment of the effects of climate variability on settlements and
farmlands. Using a digital camera, pictures were taken of the dam and of the farmland
that was once irrigated using the dam water. Farms using dam water for irrigation
were also investigated. The historical climate records up to 2018 were compared to
determine the trends in various climate parameters, including temperature and precipitation in the hydrological area. The catchment for analysis, chosen as a basis for
the general climate conditions of the area, was Sokoto New Airport and Katsina and
Gusau aerodromes. Secondary sources of data were collected through desk research
from subject-matter Internet sources, including published journal articles, discussion papers, environmental reports and presented conference papers (National Water
Conference and National Water Resources Council) (Plate 6).
3.2 Climate Change Variability Analysis
Stream flows are generally affected by the cumulative effect of climate change.
Hence, study of stream flow over time is essential, especially to determine the sustainability of water resource systems. The most significant observed impacts include
changes in temperature and precipitation, which in turn have varying consequences
for water availability. For this reason, trend analysis was used to define climate change
with respect to rainfall, evaporation, temperature and humidity in the hydrological
area, using Microsoft Excel (Plate 7).
181
2.4.4 Climate Around Goronyo Dam
Like the rest of West Africa, the climate of the region is controlled largely by the two
dominant air masses affecting the sub-region. The regions are also associated with
the movement of air masses of the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone north and south
of the equator.
3 Methodology
3.1 Data Collection and Analysis
Data for this study was generated through field visits to the dam site on 30 November
2018, and geographical review of the Goronyo Dam by comparing historical data
from imagery, field observations and assessment of the dam and water shortage
evidence, and field assessment of the effects of climate variability on settlements and
farmlands. Using a digital camera, pictures were taken of the dam and of the farmland
that was once irrigated using the dam water. Farms using dam water for irrigation
were also investigated. The historical climate records up to 2018 were compared to
determine the trends in various climate parameters, including temperature and precipitation in the hydrological area. The catchment for analysis, chosen as a basis for
the general climate conditions of the area, was Sokoto New Airport and Katsina and
Gusau aerodromes. Secondary sources of data were collected through desk research
from subject-matter Internet sources, including published journal articles, discussion papers, environmental reports and presented conference papers (National Water
Conference and National Water Resources Council) (Plate 6).
3.2 Climate Change Variability Analysis
Stream flows are generally affected by the cumulative effect of climate change.
Hence, study of stream flow over time is essential, especially to determine the sustainability of water resource systems. The most significant observed impacts include
changes in temperature and precipitation, which in turn have varying consequences
for water availability. For this reason, trend analysis was used to define climate change
with respect to rainfall, evaporation, temperature and humidity in the hydrological
area, using Microsoft Excel (Plate 7).