Water harvesting (WH) is a critical strategy for addressing water scarcity in arid and semi-arid regions, where communities rely on limited rainfall to sustain domestic supply, livestock, and agricultural production. This study evaluates the design, construction, and operational performance of small water-harvesting dams constructed in Sudan between 2010 and 2019. A basin-based analytical framework was applied to describe hydrological conditions and manage uncertainties inherent in data-scarce environments. The methodology integrates regional and empirical flood-estimation techniques with assessment of key design parameters, evaluation of construction practices, and qualitative risk analysis. Results indicate that, despite their relatively small size, these dams face engineering challenges comparable to larger dams, particularly in terms of hydrological uncertainty, seepage control, reservoir tightness, and limited site-investigation data. The absence of continuous hydrometric records complicates flood-frequency analysis and spillway design, increasing uncertainty and operational risk. The study underscores the importance of incorporating risk-informed design approaches and strengthening hydrological and geotechnical investigations to enhance safety, functionality, and long-term performance of small dams in Sudan. Additionally, it highlights the need for systematic monitoring and adaptive management strategies to mitigate extreme events, optimize water utilization, and support sustainable rural development in dryland regions increasingly affected by climate variability and growing water demand.
Yousif et al. (Sat,) studied this question.