Plaquette : Making the Senegal river navigable - IAGF 6ème session

--- ------ ----- ~- =~ - Appe ndix 3 The contribution of the Diama dam to the development of water use SOGED was founded in 1997 and is responsible for operat ing, maintaining and renovat ing the Diama dam, the water intakes, levees and other associated structures. Thisdam, built in 1986, fu lf ilsan essential function, that of preventing salt intrusion in the river and making the formerly saline land of t he delta fit for agricultu re. It was transformed into a reservoir dam (f ram 250 to 535 million rn'') by the construct ion of levees and it now permits the partial regulation of the water level in the delta and the reduct ion of pump ing heights for irrigatio n. It provides wate r for the irrigat ion of 50,000 ha of flood recession crops, and, linked w ith the Manantali dam, 375,000 ha for extensive farm ing. In addition to the cultivated land, it has allowed the diversification of crops and methods in t he agribusiness sector. Among the other benefits pravided by the dam are: Drinking water supplied throughout the year and the supply of freshwater in sufficient quantities for domestic consumption and for t he mining industry. Navigation: t he dam has enabled better management of the flow required for boats to navigate on the river, and it is equipped w it h a lock. The revitalisation of ecosystems (with in particular Djoudj nature reserve) and the recharging of local aquifers, although the dam has given rise to other environmental impacts such as the proliferation of cattail. 30