Analysis of River Benue Discharge at Jimeta Bridge

Abstract

Water is a sustaining element which is vital for all living being ,the discharge is a major concept in hydrography that presents information on the availability of water for human use and resource management. The aim of the research is to analyze the volume of discharge of River Benue at Jimeta with a view to provide early warning changes for flood. The primary data used were sounding, planimetric points and the velocity while the secondary data includes the discharge of previous years of 1999, 2002, and 2012 and the topographic map of the study area. The statistical analysis carried out using ANOVA to ascertain the assessment of the discharge; the result shows that there was decrease in the volume of discharge in the preceding years. The average velocity of water obtained was 1.03 m/s; it is as a result of the channel platform with 1.42% slope within the study area .In conclusion, the volume of discharge is decreasing with increase in sedimentation within the study area. Based on the findings of the research, it is recommended that there should be restoration measures such as dredging and buffer zone so as to create more space for adequate flow of water and to reduce the risk of flooding.