This manual is designed specifically for engineers, technicians and extension workers involved in agriculture, commercial farmers and contractors – all with some understanding of engineering and some experience of dams, irrigation and water supply – involved in the siting, design and construction of small earth dams in the drier parts of the African continent. Such dams are suitable for supplying water to irrigation schemes, for rural and other water supplies (when properly treated) and for conservation measures.

The manual is derived from the author’s many years of experience in dam design and construction in a number of countries in west, central and southern Africa and has been drafted with a view to providing, for the first time in this field, a colla-tion of practical and useful guidelines for siting, designing and constructing small dams. Although derived from training and experience in Africa, the manual will be applicable to many other parts of the world and hence its publication by FAO.

Thus, the manual essentially provides a comprehensive and pragmatic means for the practical understanding of the principles and procedures used in small earth dam construction and for the users to safely and competently construct small dams without recourse to the costly, complex and sophisticated design and construction techniques associated with dams on larger catchments.

The manual includes an introduction to community participation, social and gender issues in siting, constructing and operating dams, environmental issues and fish production as well as sections on costing dams, tendering for construction and awarding contracts.

  Manual on small earth dams