IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

WORLD JOURNAL OF INNOVATION AND MODERN TECHNOLOGY (WJIMT )

E-ISSN 2504-4766
P-ISSN 2682-5910
VOL. 6 NO. 1 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56201/wjimt.v6.no1.2022.pg 108.115

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River Depth Alterations Resulting from Intensive Mechanical Dredging of Ekole Creek, Nun River Bayelsa State

Simon Churchill E. and Ogunlowo Opololaoluwa O

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Abstract

River banks are crucial to humans, because of the accessibility to water for various purposes. The banks of Ekole Creek are occupied with communities that depend on it for habitation and economic benefits. This study investigated the effects river depth alterations resulting from intensive mechanical dredging. An interview was conducted for 80 respondents using structured questionnaire. The points for sampling were; ‘Dredge point I and Dredge point II’ of the dredging sites, then ‘Upstream and Downstream’ taken randomly as control. Hydrographic survey was conducted using an echo sounder installed on a speed boat and driven across the 270m wide creek and observations recorded. Results of the questionnaire indicated that about 72.5 % agreed strongly that Heavy duty mechanical dredgers were used, 87.5 % of the respondents agreed that operations of dredging had lasted for more than five years, the respondents also confirmed that dredging had changed the river depth, while 85 % of participants strongly agreed that fishing activities were difficult in the region. Echo sounding results indicated that the upstream and downstream points had the maximum depth of 8.81m and 12.79m respectively, while Dredge sites I and II had depths of 21.5m and 17.73m respectively. Dredging activities had caused the increased depth variations, hence the scarcity of fish and exposure of the riverbanks to erosion which threat to life and property of residents communities. It is recommended that routine environmental monitoring to promptly detect the alteration of river depth during dredging activities, be carried out.

keywords:

Ekole Creek, Environmental monitoring, Alteration, Erosion, Hydrographical survey.

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References:

[1] National Oceanographic Center [internet](.2014) [cited 2021 May 14]. Available from
http://noc.ac.uk/research-at-sea/ships/onboard-equipment/echo-sounders.

[2] Orunba, C.O. (2000). Water Resources, Environment and Sustainable Development in
Nigeria. Journal of Human Ecology. 19:169-181.

[3] OSPA Commission (2009). Assessment of the Environmental Impact of Dredging for
Navigational Purposes,13
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