Belesat

Belesat is a reservoir located in the Inticho woreda of the Tigray Region in Ethiopia. The earthen dam that holds the reservoir was built in 1997 by the Relief Society of Tigray.

Dam characteristics

 * Dam height: 15 metres
 * Dam crest length: 308 metres
 * Spillway width: 19 metres

Capacity
In 2002, the life expectancy of the reservoir (the duration before it is filled with sediment) was estimated at 15 years.
 * Original capacity: 428 028 m³
 * Dead storage: 60 000 m³
 * Reservoir area: 7.4 ha

Irrigation

 * Designed irrigated area: 32 ha
 * Actual irrigated area in 2002: 20 ha

Environment
The catchment of the reservoir is 4.8 km² large, with a perimeter of 9.62 km and a length of 3670 metres. The reservoir suffers from rapid siltation. The lithology of the catchment is Adigrat Sandstone and Enticho Sandstone. 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.