Flood Control in Kaduna South L.G.A, Kaduna State, Nigeria, Using the Ecohydrological Principles

This paper examined communities experiencing flooding yearly within the Kaduna South L.G.A of Kaduna State, which are; Barnawa, Down Quarters and Chanchang Layout, Kinkinau, (Tudun Wada). The objective of the study includes; Identification of areas affected by flooding within the study area, gnerating records for developments affected by flooding within the study area, and stating the effects of developments and farming activities along the River Kaduna bank. The study revealed that the major cause of flooding within these communities annually during rainy season is as a result of rapid growth experienced within the Kaduna metropolis over time and lack of proper development control along the River Kaduna bank by the relevant authorities which have led to the encroachment of the River Kaduna bank. Discrete data were collected where exact number of developments and activities affected by flooding within the study area was generated and maps produced for the flood plain areas within the study area which analyses the extent of flood and total number of structures affected at each location through the use of ArcMAP and ArcGIS as tools. The study recommended that all developments along River Kaduna bank be removed. Also, the Kaduna State Geographical Information Service (KADGIS) alongside the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA), should allocate a safer areas within the Kaduna South L.G.A to accommodate the entire population that will be moved from the affected areas by applying the Ecohydrological principles to maintain the Kaduna River bank.