The main purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of watershed management intervention in Chena Woreda. A systematic sampling technique was used to select sample micro-watersheds, and random sampling method was used to select individual households from both intervention and non-intervention areas. Data were collected through field observation, household questionnaire survey, focused group discussion, in-depth interview and key informant interview. Moreover, physical soil and water conservation structures' layout measurement was conducted. Descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square test and participation index were used for data analyses. The study revealed that the intervention has good achievements in reducing soil erosion, improving water availability and quality, developing tree plantation and diversifying household income sources in the catchment. However, poor community participation, lack of the structures design alignment with standards, inappropriate time of implementation, lack of diversified soil water conservation measures, absence of regular maintenance and management of the structures were some of the major limitation of the intervention. Therefore, this study recommends that the stakeholders should make appropriate correction measures for observed failures and further interdisciplinary study should be conducted to explore the problems.

Physical soil and water conservation measures with ultimate intention of reducing sever soil erosion and its associated impact had been implemented for the last four decades in southern Ethiopia. Yet, so far the technical viability of the implemented structures weren't studied. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the technical viability of the implemented physical soil and water conservation measures and its management, maintenance and appropriateness in communal and private lands of the upper catchments of Lake Hawassa watershed. The data was collected by field observation and direct measurement of the implemented structures. Moreover, focused group discussion and key informant interview was done. Descriptive statistics was used for data analysis. The results were compared with standards. The collected data were presented in Table and Figures. The study result showed that Level soil bund and Check dam were implemented in communal land by public participation, while Level soil bunds and Fanya-juu were found in private land. The implemented structures were appropriate for the catchment, while the layouts of most implemented structures were not as the standard. The regular maintenance and management practices were also minimal. As the result, technically deficient SWC measures were found as cause of soil erosion and witnessed that construction of SWC structure in field is not an end means by itself for effective controlling of soil erosion. To be effective the implemented SWC structures has to be appropriate for the area and technically be sound. Regular maintenance and management of the structure after implementation is also vital to achieve its very inception objective.

Water is an essential element for the environment, food security and sustainable development. However, uncoordinated and competitive use of the resource can lead water to face the "tragedy of the commons". Fragmented effects done so far in watershed management did not bring significant changes. Integrated water resource management is the ideal solution for sustainable development of the basins. This paper is targeted at assessing the challenges and opportunities of implementing integrated water resource management intervention in Omo-Gibe basin. The sample micro watersheds were strategically selected considering its accessibility for four-wheel vehicle and horse transportation. Five percent of the sample respondents were randomly selected for interview. Data were collected from all relevant sources through field observation, key informants interview, focused group discussion, household survey and review of documents. The collected data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics including chi-square and t-test, using SPSS vision 20. The evidence in the basin shows that biophysical, socio economic and hydro political factors govern the implementation of integrated water resource management. Large proportion (65%) of steeply slope and land degradation, lack of understanding of IWRM principles and practices (72%), absence of river basin authority, no habit for planning together, lack of water resource infrastructure and innovation (81.9%), and weak local institutions commitment to transfer principles into practices were the major problems of the basin. In spite of having those limiting factors, the effort of the government through making policy on water resource management is a prospect for the basin, besides harmonious cultural interaction of the community to live together with nature and themselves. The Omo-Gibe River Basin has right to exist in harmony with its ecosystem to function sustainably. Human induced factors were limiting the wise use of scarce natural resources in the basin. Therefore, successful implementation of integrated water resource management though developing river basin authority, capacity building and enabling the environment is important for the basin, and for the country at large.

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