Nutrient status of two Ghanaian water reservoirs

The Weija and Kpong Reservoirs were constructed as impoundments to satisfy the increasing demands for hydroelectric power and water for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes. The Weija Reservoir, created in 1977 on the Densu River is about 116 km long. The Weija dam is a rock-and earth-filled structure located about 10 km from the mouth of the River Densu. The reservoir provided industrial and domestic water supplies to the southwestern part of Accra and for fisheries. The Kpong reservoir created in 1981 was formed after the closure of the Volta Dam. It created the potential for two industries, agriculture by irrigation and fishing. The reservoir is also the main source of water supply to the Accra-Tema Metropolitan Area. There is an urgent need to gather, analyse and collate nutrient data in order to mitigate adverse trends for maximum utilisation of these multipurpose reservoirs.