 |
customer@davidpublishing.com |
 |
3275638434 |
 |
 |
| Paper Publishing WeChat |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Lambert Ayitchéhou1, Babilas Hountondji1, 2, Saïd Hounkponou3, Jacques Gbèssèmèhlan4, Martin Aïna1 and François de Paule Codo1
Full-Text PDF
XML 10 Views
DOI:10.17265/2162-5298/2026.03.001
1. Laboratory of Water and Environmental Sciences and Techniques (LSTEE), University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Abomey-Calavi 01-526, Benin 2.. Faculty of Agronomic and Environmental Sciences (FSAE), Catholic University of West Africa-Cotonou University Unit (UCAO-UUC), Cotonou 04-928, Benin 3. Benin Water Authority, Cotonou 01-385, Benin 4. Pierre PAGNEY Laboratory: Climate, Water, Ecosystems, and Development, University of Abomey-Clavi (UAC), Cotonou 01-526, Benin
This study analyzes changes in hydrological dynamics in Benin’s major river basins (Mono-Couffo, Ouémé, Niger, and Volta) over the 2010-2019 period, linking variations in flow rates to anthropogenic and environmental pressures. Daily hydrometric data from 19 stations covering 15 watercourses were used to calculate annual mean flows and characterize interannual and seasonal variability. The approach combines statistical analyses, hydrological indices, and spatial comparisons, supplemented by demographic and land-use data. The results reveal marked hydrological contrasts between the basins, with high variability in the Mono River (90 to 230 m³/s), relative stability in the Couffo (5 to 15 m³/s), heterogeneity in the Ouémé basin, and pronounced instability in the Niger’s tributaries. These dynamics can be explained by a combination of rainfall variability, population growth, deforestation, and agricultural intensification. The study highlights a structural hydrological vulnerability and underscores the need to strengthen IWRM (integrated water resources management), particularly through the protection of recharge areas, the regulation of water withdrawals, and the development of appropriate hydrometric monitoring systems.
Hydrology, flow variability, anthropogenic pressures, IWRM, Benin
L-Ayitchéhou,ect...Hydrological Dynamics and Anthropogenic Pressures in Benin’s River Basins (2010-2019): Implications for Integrated Water Resources Management.Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering A 15 (2026) 63-76
[2] Amoussou, E. 2015. “Climatic Variability and Hydrological Dynamics in the Ouémé Basin in Benin.” HDR thesis, University of Burgundy, Dijon, pp. 9-11.
[3] INSAE. 2016. “Fourth General Population and Housing Census (RGPH-4).” Municipal booklets. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Analysis, Cotonou, pp. 1, 99-100.
[4] Thiam, I., Sintondji, L. O., and Togbévi, A. 2022. “Decline of Forest Formations and Anthropogenic Pressures in the Mono-Couffo Basin.” Review of Tropical Geography and Environment 8 (2): 10-12.
[5] Togbévi, A., and Sintondji, L. O. 2021. “Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Gallery Forests in Couffo, Benin between 2000 and 2011.” Beninese Journal of Geography 6 (1): 338-50.
[6] Ayena, R., Hountondji, Y. C., and Hounkpevi, C. 2017. “Land Cover Dynamics in the Niger Valley in Benin between 2000 and 2013.” African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 11 (3): 119-31.
[7] Ahoton, L. E., Aïna, M. P., Gbaguidi, F., and Hounkponou, S. 2024. “Dynamics of Irrigated Areas and Implications for Water Management in the Ouémé Basin in Benin.” Scientific Review of the University of Abomey-Calavi, Article 1926.
[8] Etèné, A., Hounkponou, S., and Alassane, A. 2016. “Land Transformations and Dynamics of the Alluvial Plains of the Lower Ouémé Valley.” Beninese Journal of Geography 7 (2): 147-51.
[9] Noumon, A., Ahokpossi, S., and Degnon, R. G. 2019. “Water Sources for Irrigation and Their Use in Agricultural Holdings in the Mono-Couffo Basin.” Scientific Journal of the University of Abomey-Calavi 3 (1): 133-40.
[10] Degnon, R. G., AhokpossI, S., and Noumon, A. 2020. “Water Needs of Irrigated Rice Farming IR 841 in Benin: Implications for Sustainable Water Management.” Journal of Agriculture and Environment for International Development 114 (2): 185-92.
[11] GWP/VBA (Global Water Partnership and Volta Basin Authority). 2014. “Report on Integrated Water Resources Management in the Volta Basin.” Ouagadougou, pp. 11-13.
[12] MEPN (Ministry of the Environment and Nature Protection). 2020. “National Report on the State of the Environment in Benin.” Cotonou, Benin.
[13] DG-EAU (General Directorate of Water). 2022. “Annual Report on the National Hydrometric Network.” Ministry of Water and Mines, Cotonou, Benin.
[14] Polo-Akpisso, B., Kouami, K., and Dosseh, M. 2020. “Land Cover Transformation in the Oti-Kéran-Mandouri Complex in Togo.” Journal of Agriculture and Environment for International Development 114 (1): 1-5.
[15] Souberou, A., Ahouansou, M. C., and Yabi, I. 2017. “Inventory and Exploitation Potential of Hydromorphic Lowlands South of the Oti Basin (Benin).” African Journal of Agricultural Research 12 (19): 1601-17.
[16] Kundzewicz, Z. W., and Robson, A. J. 2004. “Detecting Trend and Other Changes in Hydrological Data.” World Climate Programme-Water, WMO/TD-No. 1013, Geneva.
[17] Mahé, G., L’hôte, Y., and Olivry, J. C. 2013. “Evolution of Flows in West and Central Africa in the 20th Century.” Hydrological Sciences.
[18] Afouda, A. A. 2015. “Frequency Analysis and New Mapping of Annual Maxima of Daily Rainfall in Benin.” International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences 9 (1): 121-33.
[19] Hounkpè, J., Diekkruger, B., Afouda, A. A., and Sintondji, L. O. C. 2019. “Land-Use Changes Increase Flood Risks: A Multiple Modeling Approach to Assess the Evolution of Flood Characteristics Induced by Socio-Economic Land-Use Change Scenarios.” Natural Risks 98 (3): 1021-50.
[20] Andreini, M., Van de Giesen, N., Van Edig, A., and Villholth, K. G. 2000. “Volta Basin Water Balance.” International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Accra, Ghana, pp. 20-25.
[21] SIEREM (Environmental Information System on Water Resources and Their Modeling). 2016. “Hydrological Database for West Africa.” University of Montpellier, Montpellier. Journal 58 (2): 344-56.