Arato

Arato is a reservoir located in the Inderta woreda of the Tigray Region in Ethiopia. The earthen dam that holds the reservoir was built in 1997 by SAERT.

Dam characteristics

 * Dam height: 20 metres
 * Dam crest length: 443 metres
 * Spillway width: 20 metres

Capacity

 * Original capacity: 2 590 000 m³
 * Dead storage: 647 698 m³
 * Reservoir area: 40 ha

Irrigation

 * Designed irrigated area: 120 ha
 * Actual irrigated area in 2002: 27 ha



Environment
The catchment of the reservoir is 12 km2 large, with a perimeter of 16 km and a length of 4950 m. The reservoir suffers from rapid siltation. The lithology of the catchment is Antalo Limestone and Mekelle Dolerite. Part of the water that could be used for irrigation is lost through seepage; the positive side-effect is that this contributes to groundwater recharge.