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11 Feasibility Study
A feasibility study for small scale storage looks at most of the same issues that the full design addresses.
The main difference between the feasibility and design reports are that the feasibility report looks at a
broader selection of options and does not address the same level of detail that the design report covers
once a recommended option has been agreed upon.
In general, the field work required for a feasibility report is the same fieldwork required for a full design.
This includes a complete survey of the site as well as visits throughout the catchment and downstream
areas.
The following sections describe the steps that should be taken when conducting a feasibility study for a
proposed site. They are laid out to match as closely as possible the feasibility study reporting format set
out in Chapter 19.
11.2.1 Stakeholders
An assessment should be made of the project stakeholders and contact details of relevant people
(owners, managers, caretakers, local WRUA, etc) should be obtained.
11.2.3 Location
The location of the proposed project should be correctly identified and detailed. This includes land
registration details where available, ownership details, GPS coordinates and datum. This information will
be used to develop the relevant layout maps. Ideally, at least two maps should be produced. One should
show the proposed storage location and the extents of the catchment area and the other should show the
site layout that shows possible dam alignments and flooded areas.
Details of the county, sub-county, location and sub location should be captured, as well as a summary of
how to access the site. This information will be included in the feasibility report.
For specialized water use or requirements, the details should be clearly captured and documented in the
feasibility report.
This section is mainly to help finalize cost estimates. Final details and drawings for offtakes and structures
will be concluded in the design process.
Survey data and contour maps for each option should be included in the report. Section 9.1 provides
details on the intensity of survey points and survey beacons.
This section should also identify any further investigations that may be needed as part of the final design.
In arid areas, special attention should be paid to grazing concerns and the potential for human/wildlife
conflict.
In more built up areas, the risk of failure of the embankment on downstream settlements and/or
developments should be examined.
Any resettlement or other legal issues that may arise as a result of the project should be identified at this
point.
Inflows for the dam should be estimated. This can be done based on general annual rainfall averages, on
monthly or daily stream flow or on monthly or daily rainfall data. See Section 8.8 for further details.
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7/6/2018 Practice Manual For Small Dams, Pans and Other Water Conservation Structures in Kenya
Reservoir simulation can be carried out based on the storage options, the expected water use, the
estimated inflow estimations, as well as the evaporation and seepage estimates. This is discussed in
Chapter 8 and can be done graphically, via spreadsheet calculations or via commercial software.
The result of the reservoir simulation is to examine a selection of storage options to determine which
option best fits the inflows and water use.
Once a design flood has been estimated, initial estimates of spillway details (width, depth, alignment, etc)
can be calculated and presented in the report. Table 11-1 gives preliminary estimates for required spillway
widths for a variety of design floods and approach heights. The widths have been calculated based on the
broad crested weir formula.
Table 11-1: Spillway Widths for Various Design Floods and Approach Heights
Required Width
Required Width for 1m Required Width Required Width
Design for 0.5m Approach for 1.5m for 2.0m
Flood Approach Depth Depth Approach Depth Approach Depth
(m 3 ) (m) (m) (m) (m)
15 25 9 N/A N/A
20 34 12 N/A N/A
25 42 15 N/A N/A
30 50 18 10 N/A
40 67 24 13 N/A
50 84 30 16 11
75 126 44 24 16
100 N/A 59 32 21
150 N/A 89 48 32
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7/6/2018 Practice Manual For Small Dams, Pans and Other Water Conservation Structures in Kenya
Rural = 20 yrs
Urban = 50 yrs
A critical path analysis can be included to emphasize the key steps that must be achieved.
In general, in 2014, construction costs of small scale water storage in Kenya ranged from Ksh. 50 per
cubic meter to over Ksh. 500 per cubic meter of water stored. The lowest costs are usually seen in large
reservoirs (500,000 to 1,000,000 m3 of storage) while the highest costs are usually seen in smaller
reservoirs. (5,000 to 20,000 m3 of storage). These figures are based on construction experience in
Kenya over the last 10 years and compare well with the NWMP 2030 estimate of Ksh. 333 per cubic
meter for small dams.
The benefits of the project should be described and estimated and compared to the costs. The intention is
to avoid making investments in projects that cannot be justified due to the cost. The willingness and ability
of project beneficiaries to pay (or assist in paying) for the proposed project should be stated.
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7/6/2018 Practice Manual For Small Dams, Pans and Other Water Conservation Structures in Kenya
The feasibility report should identify possible financing sources and raise any financial issues that may
affect the project.
11.14 Conclusions
The conclusions should address:
11.15 Recommendations
The recommendations should summarize:
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