Hackathon on modelling Kou river catchment in Sahel
A group of enthusiastic hydrologists and students held a hackathon to model the surface and ground water in southwest Burkina Faso, on the southern edge of the Sahel. The hackathon took place from 24 till 28 February and involved authorities, students and teachers from both Burkina Faso and the Netherlands.
Sustainable use of water source
Groundwater and surface water from the catchment area of the Kou River is increasingly being used for drinking water, the production of lemonades and beer and the irrigation of agricultural areas.
The model study aims to provide knowledge and insight into the possibilities and conditions for the sustainable use of groundwater and surface water. Stakeholders in the area have also asked for a system that can warn the population in times of excess volume flowing in the river due to heavy rainfall.
Hydrologic model
The participants in the hackathon shared their knowledge of the hydrology and water system of the Kou and Mouhoun rivers (Black Volta). They took the first steps of constructing a hydrological computer model of the water system.
In the coming months, the construction of the model will continue by students from the University of Ouagadougou, under the supervision of specialists from both Burkina Faso and the Brabant Delta Water Board from the Netherlands.
Several studies with the model are planned in the coming years. The research area has a size of about 2000 km2.
Joint forces
Water authorities from Burkina Faso and the Netherlands, students and teachers from the University of Ouagadougou and staff from regional and national governments joined forces during this multi-day hackathon. The aim of the cooperation between the water authorities from Burkina Faso and the Netherlands is to improve the management of water sources.
The cooperation is part of the Blue Deal programme, an initiative by the joined Dutch water authorities to help 20 million people around the world gain access to clean, sufficient and safe water.
