DAM SUITABILITY ANALYSIS USING AN INTEGRATED GEOSPATIAL ANALYTICS, AND MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION ANALYSIS-ANALYTICAL HIERARCHICAL PROCESS (MCDA-AHP) ANALYSIS FOR OGBESE RIVER BASIN
Abstract
This study conducted a comprehensive dam suitability analysis for the Ogbese River Basin in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, employing integrated geospatial analytics and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (MCDA-AHP). The research aimed to identify optimal dam construction sites to address persistent water scarcity challenges affecting the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, and surrounding communities. Six key criteria were evaluated: elevation, slope, drainage density, land use/land cover (LULC), soil type, and geology. Data sources included DEM (30m resolution), geological maps, FAO soil databases, and Sentinel-2 land cover data. The AHP methodology assigned relative weights to criteria, with geology receiving the highest weight (29%), followed by soil type (21%) and elevation (20%). Through weighted overlay analysis in GIS, the study identified that 1.22% (3.62 km²) of the basin area is classified as "Most Suitable" for dam construction, while 4.62% (13.68 km²) represents "Other Suitable" locations. The remaining 94.15% consists of built-up areas and exclusion zones. The analysis revealed viable dam sites characterized by favorable geological foundations (Precambrian basement complex), appropriate topographic conditions, and minimal environmental conflicts. The methodology provides a systematic, data-driven framework for sustainable water infrastructure development, offering significant potential for enhancing water security in the region while supporting academic, agricultural, and socio-economic development.
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