Temperature - European Investment Bank

WEST AFRICAN POWER POOL (WAPP) PÖYRY ENERGY LTD.
Mount Coffee HPP ESIA and RAP 2012-09-18
ESIA Report Page 49
8.3 Water Use
bed covered with large amounts of alluvions (gravel, larger boulders), where the
water would otherwise be too shallow as to serve as a habitat for fish).
� Digging of local channels for connecting all existing deep ponds and for thus
preventing that fish get trapped and finally die in such ponds left without
connection to the remaining parts of the river.
� Digging of ponds (deep parts of the river bed) which would provide shelter
mainly for bigger fish). This measure might be required if none or an insufficient
number of such structures are present in the river bed naturally.
� Changing some parts of the river bed (e.g. by bringing in sediments of specific
grain size) for creating suitable spawning habitats for valuable species.
It goes without saying that the decision on what such measures to take - if any - will
have to be based on a thorough analysis of the situation. If required, a bathymetric and
topographic survey of the river bed or parts of it will have to be carried out.
8.3.1 Present Situation
The water of the St Paul river is used upstream and downstream of the spillway for
fishing, washing, bathing and in some cases for irrigation with pumps. Drinking water is
collected from streams (tributaries to St. Paul river) because of to better water quality.
Only in case of a water shortage during the dry season, which does not occur very often,
the water of the St. Paul river is used as drinking water.
Furthermore, canoes are used for transportation in the reservoir area for reaching remote
villages, like Gbally Village.
8.3.2 Project Impacts
It is expected that the project will not have any major impacts on water use.
The impact on transportation in the reservoir area will be beneficial since the current
especially in the rainy season will be reduced and it will be safer to cross the reservoir
by canoe. On the other hand, during the dry season people who do not have a canoe
cross the river on foot; this will not be possible any more due to the higher water level.
Since the water is not used as drinking water except during very dry seasons the impact
will be negligible as long as the mitigation measures and best practice related to waste
water of the construction site are in place.
Impact on washing activities is not anticipated, since no major changes will occur with
the exception of the area where it will be prohibited to enter the water due to safety
reasons (construction site and the area near the dam and spillway).
8.3.3 Recommendations
It is recommended to provide some larger motorised canoes to the population for
crossing the reservoir at suitable locations, so that they are able to cross the reservoir
during all times to do their market activities.