Arato

Arato is a reservoir located in the Inderta woreda of the Tigray Region in Ethiopia. The earthen dam that holds the reservoir was built in 1997 by SAERT.^[1]

Arato
Arato
Coordinates	13.51230068°N 39.64480822°E / 13.51230068; 39.64480822
Type	Freshwater artificial lake
Basin countries	Ethiopia
Surface area	0.4 km2 (0.15 sq mi)
Water volume	2.59×10^6 m3 (2,100 acre⋅ft)
Surface elevation	2,400 m (7,900 ft)
Settlements	Araguren

Dam characteristics

• Dam height: 20 metres
• Dam crest length: 443 metres
• Spillway width: 20 metres

Capacity

• Original capacity: 2,590,000 m³
• Dead storage: 647,698 m³
• Reservoir area: 40 ha

Irrigation

• Designed irrigated area: 120 ha
• Actual irrigated area in 2002: 27 ha

Environment

The catchment of the reservoir is 12 square kilometres (4.6 sq mi) large, with a perimeter of 16 km (9.9 mi) and a length of 4,950 m (16,240 ft). The reservoir suffers from rapid siltation.^[2] The lithology of the catchment is Antalo Limestone and Mekelle Dolerite.^[1] Part of the water that could be used for irrigation is lost through seepage;^[3] the positive side-effect is that this contributes to groundwater recharge.^[4]