Assessment of Water Depth Variability in Rice paddy fields at the Lower Moshi Irrigation Scheme, Tanzania

Yusuph Bakari Mhando; Yonah Anderson Godson

doi:10.70851/jfines.2026.3(2).134.144

Authors

Yusuph Bakari Mhando Department of Civil Engineering, Arusha Technical College, P. O. Box 296, Arusha, Tanzania Author
Yonah Anderson Godson Unit of Irrigation Infrastructure, Department of Civil Engineering, Arusha Technical College, P. O. Box 296, Arusha, Tanzania Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70851/jfines.2026.3(2).134.144

Keywords:

Irrigation scheme, Paddy fields, Tanzania rice fields, water depth varaibility

Abstract

Variability of water depth in rice paddy fields has become a major problem in many irrigation schemes, jeopardizing rice growth. This study assesses water depth before and after irrigation in the rice paddy fields. The research methods used were field surveys to empirically evaluate the variability of water depth in rice paddy fields at the lower Moshi Irrigation Scheme in Tanzania. The empirical findings of the study confirm that the average variability of water depth measurements taken every day before and after irrigation for twelve consecutive days ranged from 0.00 to 14 centimeters. This range was due to amount of water discharge and the rice paddy field conditions. Understanding the extent, causes and effects of water depth variability in the rice paddy fields could help irrigation engineers, researchers, academicians, and farmers to improve water depths of rice paddy fields.

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