Summary of the Document: Master Drainage Plan for Melka Sadi and Amibara Areas

This document is a final report from July 1985, part of the Master Drainage Plan for the Melka Sadi and Amibara areas in Ethiopia. It is Volume 5, Annex A3, focusing on the description of auger bores conducted to analyze soil properties, groundwater, and drainage conditions.

Key Sections of the Document

1. Introduction

• Prepared by the Water Resources Development Authority (Ethiopia) and Sir William Halcrow & Partners (UK).
• Part of a comprehensive study divided into multiple volumes covering soils, hydrology, engineering, agriculture, and more.

2. Auger Bore Data

• Contains detailed records of auger bores (numbered K1 to K98) conducted in various fields across the Melka Sadi and Amibara areas.
• Each bore log includes:
  • Location: Area, field, and reduced level (elevation).
  • Groundwater Data: Depth, electrical conductivity (EC), and pH (where recorded).
  • Soil Properties: Depth layers, color, texture, consistence, reaction to HCl, and remarks (e.g., salinity, lime content).
  • Impermeable Layers: Depth to relatively impermeable layers.
  • Site Description: Crop conditions (e.g., cotton, bananas), surface features, and notes on salinity or drainage issues.

3. Explanatory Notes

• Defines soil texture abbreviations (e.g., c for clay, s for sand).
• Describes soil consistence terms (e.g., d for dry, m for moist).
• Explains measurements like EC (electrical conductivity) and pH.

4. Observations

• Many sites show salinity issues (e.g., salt encrustations, high EC values).
• Impermeable layers are frequently noted, affecting drainage.
• Crop conditions vary, with some fields abandoned due to poor soil or water quality.

Example Auger Bore Data

Bore No.	Area	Groundwater Depth (cm)	EC (m mho/cm)	Key Observations
K 1	Prezzo Panama Plantation	Not recorded	8.0 (at 10 cm)	Little salt at surface, much salt at 75-110 cm.
K 14	Hpegoo Panama Plantation	196	10.0	Abandoned area with 'slick' surface; high salinity.
K 96	Awash Settlement Area	210	9.6	Very patchy cotton; part of field abandoned due to poor conditions.