An approach to use Earth observation data as support to water management issues in the Ethiopian rift

In several areas of the world, water distribution influence the local development. In the volcano-tectonic depressions of the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER) many perennial rivers and lakes are present and constitute an important resource for agriculture, livestock, fishery, soda abstraction, human health and local ecosystems. Human factors (improper utilisation and excessive abstraction of water, water diversion, land degradation, deforestation), in combination with the natural conditions of climate and tectonism have influenced the reduction in size of the lakes and the hydrological and hydrogeological settings of the area. This paper focus on the analysis of the temporal and spatial variations of shore line of the Zway-Shala Lakes in relations to precipitation climatology, in order to better understand the effective role of the climate in the water resources modification in respect to human factor. This should help to establish correct water management practice and implement integrated water management for the protection of lakes in reason of their impacts on the lifestyles of intended beneficiaries like farmers, fishermen, and domestic water consumers. The methods employed and integrated different satellite data (Landsat and NASA-TRMM) in order to generate a proper database for the analysis of the seasonal movements according to climatological variations. Preliminary results will be presented and discussed.