While in Tanzania, I worked closely with the community water groups at three sand dams to collect data on vegetation, erosion, and groundwater levels in the area. The sand dams were all built in 2011 through the support of the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC).
Kimokouwa Sand Dam near Longido
The Kimokouwa sand dam is located near a Maasai village approximately 11.5 km south of the Kenya border. MCC requested this site be included in the study, because the sand dam proved ineffective at capturing and storing water for the community’s use. MCC hoped that the research could help identify the factors contributing to the sand dam’s failings and inform their future work.
Soweto Sand Dam near Dodoma
The Soweto sand dam is located near a Wagogo village approximately 20 km west of Dodoma, Tanzania’s capital city. The stream banks are quite flat near the dam, and the community is able to grow many crops on the banks, using water from the sand dam to irrigate the crops.
Chididimo Sand Dam near Dodoma
The Chididimo sand dam is located approximately 3.2 km south of the Soweto sand dam. The Chididimo sand dam is constructed in a fairly uniform stream valley, with relatively steep slopes covered with long grasses and large trees.
Translators
My work would not have been possible without the tireless help of my translators!
