2. Wadi Labka (En-River), Eritrea

3. Flow is divided in the riverbed Scan of Map

4. Traditional method of diversion Combination of earthen bunds protected with acacia brushwood and natural vegetative bunds (tamarisk)

5. Vegetative bunds not always protected

6. Increasingly difficult to find acacia shrubs for the traditional bunds

7. Construction of agims with bulldozer and gabions Replacement of upper section of the traditional agims with soil bunds and gabions Gabions at section where flood channel hits the diversion bund Flood protection on left bank to prevent further movement of Wadi Labka to the left

8. Construction of agims with bulldozer and gabions

9. Labor for gabion filling provided by farmers without charge

10. Wall of gabion baskets with earthen protection

11. Scope of work 1200 meter gabion works 120 days of bulldozer use Total costs USD 430,000 Total cost/ ha USD 110

12. River engineering versus civil engineering This ‘river engineering’ approach taken is low cost It is also more appropriate than the civil engineering: It follows the traditional system of diverting flood flows, based on splitting the flow in smaller proportions to make its management easier It follows the existing wate rights and does not interfere with it Very large floods will wash out part of the structures but will also ensure that the floods remains in the river bed and does not enter the command area, causing erosion