Spate irrigation is a unique type of water management that is followed in semi-arid environments. It can be found mostly in the regions of Middle East, North Africa, West Asia, East Africa and parts of Latin America. In this method flood water from mountain catchments is diverted from river beds and spread over large areas. Spate systems tend to be very risk-prone. The unexpected consequences comes both from the unpredictable nature of the floods and the frequent changes to the river beds from which the water is diverted. It is followed in the poorest segments of the rural population whose livelihood and food security depends on the spate flows. 

• Share this page
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•