River Basin Development

1. Hydro power plants. Twenty-two major hydropower sites have been identified in the Rufiji basin of Kidatu, Mtera, Mpanga, Ruhudji and Iringa Lukose. It generates electricity, which is used within the immediate area in other parts of the country.
2. Agriculture. A large number of irrigation projects have taken place in the basin (Improvement of Agriculture production due to irrigation). i.e. Sugarcane, growing rice in the Kilombero and Usangu plains.
3. Forestry. 10% of the total basin is covered by forests, which are important for regulation of water resources.
4. Industrial development. Due to the availability of power, industrial activities have advanced in the region hence increase the volume of trade in the country.
5. Tourism. Rufiji basin is one of the major tourist attraction in Tanzania.

1. Lack of enough capital to invest in the area. Infrastructure is poorly developed.
2. Lack of qualified personnel. Low level of technology.
3. Fluctuation of water levels.
4. Lack of support by local communities.

1. Helps in generating hydroelectric power.
2. Promote transport and communication.
3. They supply water for irrigation and domestic uses and industrial activities.
4. They modify the environment like introducing moisture to the atmosphere which later leads to the formation of rainfall.
5. They attract settlement.
6. Features like waterfalls attract tourists.
7. They promote fishing industries.

1. Fluctuation of volume of water.
2. May lead to spread of diseases like bilharzia etc.
3. Flooding of rivers may lead to destruction of properties.
4. The invasion of vegetation in these water bodies lead to problems in fishing and navigation.

Tennessee River valley is found in the U.S.A and is a tributary of Ohio River. The government of U.S.A organized the development of the valley with the general aim of solving economic difficulties of the people.

1. There has been an increase in water supply for irrigation, domestic use and industrial use.
2. Navigation in the Tennessee River has improved such as the commercial freight ships operating in the river.
3. Hydroelectric power was made available to many people.
4. The floods have highly been controlled.
5. The project has created job opportunities for many people.
6. Increase on the size of arable land due to soil control.
7. Fishing industry has developed due to the construction of dams.
8. Provision of hydroelectric power has led to the development of different manufacturing and heavy industries.

1. Soil erosion can also affect the established Tennessee River Valley project.
2. Soil exhaustion due to intensive farming hence poor farming and low yield.
3. Water pollution especially by the industries discourages the utilization of water from the river basins for economic development.
4. Accumulation of silt in the dams leads to the reduction of the volume of water.
5. The outbreak of diseases like cholera due to accumulation of water.
6. Unreliable rainfall and excessive evaporation lead to the drying of the river and other water bodies hence economic activities cannot take place easily due to the dryness.

1. Constructing more dams for retaining water all year round.
2. Maintaining the roads and modifying them to better standards.
3. Training the local people on other economic activities like navigation fishing and not to rely on one activity to solve the economic problems of the people.