Dr. Eng.Fitsum Tesfaye Berhe

Professional Summary

Dr. Fitsum Tesfaye Berhe is an Ethiopian senior hydraulic engineer, water resources systems engineer, and Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering specializing in Hydraulic Engineering. He has more than 20 years of experience in academic teaching, research, engineering consulting, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, irrigation and drainage design, dam engineering, road and bridge hydraulics, flood protection, river basin planning, water allocation modeling, GIS/remote sensing, tender preparation, contract administration, and construction supervision. His work bridges university teaching, applied research, and professional engineering practice, with strong expertise in sustainable water infrastructure, flood risk management, hydraulic structures, drainage systems, and data-driven engineering solutions for infrastructure resilience in Ethiopia and developing contexts.

Key Expertise

Major Projects and Contributions

• Assistant Professor and Hydraulic Engineering Educator – Addis Ababa Science and Technology University
  Teaches and develops core civil engineering and hydraulic engineering curricula, including open-channel hydraulics, hydraulic and irrigation structures, groundwater hydrology, water resources development, drainage engineering, and river engineering.
• Director, Center of Excellence for Construction Quality and Technology
  Serves at Addis Ababa Science and Technology University in academic and institutional leadership related to construction quality, technology, engineering education, applied research, and professional capacity development.
• Awash River Basin Water Allocation Modeling and Decision Support
  Worked on water allocation modeling and conflict-resolution support for the Awash River Basin, including development of a water allocation model and expert water permit system for the Awash River Basin Authority.
• Eastern Nile ENMOS Model and Multi-Sectoral Investment Opportunity Analysis
  Contributed as Senior Hydrologic Modeler for the Eastern Nile Multi-Sectoral Investment Opportunity Analysis, enhancing the ENMOS model using Excel-VBA and GAMS and extracting hydrological data from RIBASIM models.
• SATREPS MNGD Japan–Ethiopia Collaborative Research Program
  Served as Ethiopian Coordinator for the SATREPS MNGD project, a Japan–Ethiopia collaborative research program involving Kyoto University and Ethiopian partners, supporting advanced civil engineering, infrastructure, and research collaboration.
• Reviewer for Ethiopia Irrigation Design Standards and Guidelines
  Served as a technical reviewer for Ethiopia’s irrigation design standards and guidelines under the Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands, contributing to review, improvement, and standardization of irrigation engineering guidance.
• Senior Hydraulic Engineer and Hydrologist for Road and Bridge Infrastructure Projects
  Contributed to more than 40 road and bridge infrastructure projects in Ethiopia, supporting hydrologic analysis, hydraulic design, bridge hydraulics, road drainage, flood assessment, design review, and construction supervision.
• Afar Bridge Hydrology and Hydraulic Study, Design and Tender Document Preparation
  Performed hydrology and hydraulic design for multiple bridges under the Afar Bridge Hydrology and Hydraulic Study, including bridge sizing, catchment assessment, hydraulic analysis, and preparation of design and tender documentation.
• Low Volume Road Drainage Design Manual and URAP Consultant Guidance
  Prepared and contributed to working manuals and guidance for low-volume road hydrology and hydraulic design, supporting consultants under Oromia Roads Authority and documenting drainage design practices and standards.
• Dam Engineering, Embankment Dam Review, and Hydraulic Structure Projects
  Led and contributed to dam and hydraulic structure projects, including embankment dam design review, inflow design flood analysis, HEC-based analysis, quantity estimation using remote sensing imagery, and design/supervision support for dam-related works.
• Boye Erzundam Project – Team Leader and Dam Engineer
  Served as Team Leader and Dam Engineer for the Boye Erzundam Project in Jimma, Oromia Region, Ethiopia, with responsibility for design and construction supervision, hydraulic design, structural review, and site implementation.
• Flood Protection and Stormwater Management Projects
  Worked on flood mapping, drainage assessment, flood protection, diversion drain review, retention ponds, infiltration ponds, detention ponds, stormwater management facilities, and mitigation measures for infrastructure and sensitive sites.
• Axum Stele Field Visitor Route and Archaeological Site Drainage Protection
  Provided hydraulic design and flood-protection support for the improvement of visitor routes, plazas, and the Axum Stele Field, including stormwater management measures to protect ancient stele and archaeologically sensitive areas.
• Kombolcha–Dessie Expressway Feasibility Study
  Conducted hydrologic and hydraulic assessments, drainage design considerations, and preliminary engineering analysis for the Kombolcha–Dessie Expressway feasibility study in Ethiopia.
• Airfield Infrastructure Drainage and Hydrology Projects
  Provided technical leadership and engineering support for airfield infrastructure projects in Ethiopia, including Gore Airfield, Samara Airport, and Mizan Aman Airport, focusing on drainage systems, hydrology, design review, and construction supervision.
• Academic Research, Publications, and Graduate Supervision
  Published and supervised research on irrigation hydraulics, water allocation modeling, floodplain inundation mapping, flood hazard analysis, land-use change impacts on streamflow, and water resources systems engineering.
• AI-Enabled Water Resources and Infrastructure Engineering
  Pursues future professional contributions integrating artificial intelligence, spatial analysis, big data analytics, design thinking, and engineering decision-support systems into hydrology, hydraulics, flood prediction, drainage design, infrastructure resilience, and project delivery workflows.