ISSN 2360-7963
Abstract
Accepted 30th November, 2015
The rate of evaporation increases with surface area of reservoirs implying high rate on large dams. Measurement of evaporation rate in these resources is very difficult and various techniques have been suggested, employed and tested by modern scientist and engineers for its determination. Climate change variability in the upper east region is a great contributing factor towards evaporation from water bodies. The most simple, inexpensive and reliable evaporation rate determination is the use of the evaporation pan. The best technique used for this research work is based on functionality, availability of site, data collection process and size of dam. Onedam within the Nabdam district is sampled and an evaporation pan installed at the dam site for assessment, data collection and analysis. This brief paper sorts to describe one simple main principle used in estimating evaporation from the Dosabligo dam. In this work, emphasis is placed on the simple technique professionals can employ to determine evaporation rate in water bodies and resources using the evaporation pan. Evaporation rate is calculated from the evaporation pan using the energy budget equation having the benefit of simplicity of usage. High evaporation rate decreases the quantity of water in the dam affecting water availability for irrigation, domestic use, livestock rearing, aquatic habitation and reduction in the aesthetic of the resources.
Keywords: Climate change (CC), Evaporation, Dams, Reservoirs, Energy budget equation, UER, WVB.