Remote sensing and multi-criterion analysis for identifying suitable rainwater harvesting areas

Abstract Water scarcity and soil erosion are the main constraints small holder farmers facing in Tigray, northern most part of Ethiopia. Both very high low precipitation can cause a damage to agriculture which is case semi-arid regions like Tigray. While too little rainfall cannot support growth crops resulting crop failure, short but intense also causes runoff thereby washing away essential nutrients. Installation different micro/macro-catchment rainwater harvesting address both water if they properly designed prior construction. This research was intended develop methodology for identifying suitable (rwh) sites by using weighted overlay analysis. It utilizes Ahp (analytical hierarchy process) as effective multi-criterion decision-making tool eastern Tigray at Kilte Awlaelo district on an area 1001 km 2 . method chosen because it simple use, cost effective, flexible widely adopted. Physical, hydrological, climate socio-economic aspects were taken into account during criteria selection. The result indicated four suitability classes with 8.74% highly areas (85.25 ), 56% (550.75 30.8% moderately (303.2 ) 4.46% less (43.87 ). produced rwh map validated ground truth google earth pro field trip study site. In situ ex including bench terraces, wells, exclosure identified visit that verified model. Finally, depending weight scale sub-criteria matched each areas, micro-catchment macro-catchment techniques recommended. be utilized practitioners, local foreign organizations working conservation programmes policy-makers their early planning stages.