Professional Summary
Eng. Alemsha Getaneh Bogale is an Ethiopian Senior Water and Sanitation Engineer and Engineering Hydrology specialist with more than 9 years of interdisciplinary experience in hydrology, water resources management, WASH, GIS, remote sensing, sediment and erosion research, water quality analysis, and watershed management.
He holds an MSc in Engineering Hydrology from Bahir Dar University with First Class Honor and a BSc in Water Resources and Irrigation Management from Bahir Dar University, also with First Class Honor. This strong academic background is matched by practical experience in government, teaching, international research, and development-sector project implementation.
His current work with Plan International Ethiopia on the Food, Water and People Nexus Project demonstrates his ability to apply hydrology and hydraulic models, analyse streamflow and water quality data, investigate catchment hydrology, assess land use and land cover change, collect and analyse water samples, evaluate sediment transport, and use remote sensing data for watershed hydrology.
His previous role under the One WASH National Program strengthened his experience in water supply, catchment hydrology, water resource potential assessment, hydrological modelling, remote sensing, historical hydrologic analysis, and water quality assurance. This gives him a strong bridge between research hydrology and practical WASH service delivery.
Alemsha’s research experience with the CGIAR Water, Land and Ecosystems program is one of the strongest parts of his profile. He worked on stormwater, erosion and sediment control, hydrological field instrumentation, runoff sampling, piezometer monitoring, water quality testing, sediment concentration analysis, remote sensing, erosion hotspot identification, watershed modelling, surface-groundwater interaction, and scientific publication.
His publication record shows serious scientific contribution in the Upper Blue Nile and Lake Tana Basin systems. He has published on geomorphometric watershed prioritization, morphometric drainage basin analysis, land use/cover change impacts on soil erosion, spatial and temporal soil loss from gully erosion, and nutrient loss related to runoff and soil erosion.
As a lecturer, he has also contributed to capacity building by developing and teaching hydrology, water supply, watershed management, GIS, and remote sensing courses, while guiding students in laboratory and field experiments. This teaching experience makes him not only a practitioner, but also a professional who transfers knowledge to the next generation.
His profile brings strong value to AquaLinked / Water for Africa Experts because he represents a research-grounded and field-experienced hydrology professional capable of supporting water resource planning, WASH programs, catchment management, erosion control, sediment analysis, climate-resilient watershed work, and data-driven decision-making in African water systems.
Expertise
Specialties
Projects & Contributions
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Food, Water and People Nexus Project – Plan International Ethiopia
Works as Water Resource Engineer on the Food, Water and People Nexus Project with Plan International Ethiopia. His contribution includes hydrology and hydraulic modelling, streamflow analysis, water quality analysis, catchment hydrology assessment, LULC change analysis, water sampling from streams and boreholes, river discharge analysis, sediment transport analysis, remote sensing data analysis, and coordination with project staff and communities. -
One WASH National Program – Senior Water Supply Engineering
Served as Senior Water Supply Engineer under the One WASH National Program at the Bureau of Water Resource Development. His work included historical catchment hydrology assessment, water resource potential investigation using hydrological models and remote sensing, hydrologic data analysis, and water quality testing and assurance. -
CGIAR Water, Land and Ecosystems Research Program
Worked as Assistant Researcher under the CGIAR Water, Land and Ecosystems research program, contributing to stormwater, erosion and sediment control studies, hydrological field instrumentation, runoff sampling, perched groundwater monitoring, sediment concentration analysis, remote sensing, erosion hotspot identification, watershed modelling, and scientific manuscript preparation. -
Watershed Prioritization for Soil and Water Conservation – Lake Tana Basin
Published research on the application of geomorphometric characteristics to prioritize watersheds for soil and water conservation practices in the Lake Tana Basin, Ethiopia. This contribution supports targeted watershed intervention, erosion control, and sustainable land and water management. -
Morphometric Analysis of Gilgel Abay Watershed – Upper Blue Nile Basin
Published research on morphometric analysis of a drainage basin using GIS in the Gilgel Abay watershed, Lake Tana Basin, Upper Blue Nile Basin. This work strengthens scientific understanding of catchment form, drainage behaviour, runoff response, and watershed management needs. -
Land Use/Land Cover Change and Soil Erosion Research – Lake Tana Basin
Published review research on the impact of land use and land cover change on soil erosion in the Lake Tana Basin, Upper Blue Nile, Ethiopia. This contribution supports improved understanding of land management, erosion risk, catchment degradation, and watershed restoration priorities. -
Spatial and Temporal Soil Loss from Gully Erosion – Upper Blue Nile Basin
Published research on spatial and temporal variability of soil loss in gully erosion in the Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia. This work contributes to erosion risk assessment, sediment management, and planning of soil and water conservation measures. -
Runoff, Soil Erosion and Nutrient Loss – Chenetale Watershed
Contributed to research evaluating the role of runoff and soil erosion on nutrient loss in the Chenetale Watershed, Upper Blue Nile Basin. This work links hydrology, erosion, soil fertility, watershed degradation, and land management interventions. -
Field Hydrology Instrumentation and Monitoring
Installed and worked with hydrologic field instruments including weirs, rain gauges, piezometers and infiltrometers. He collected runoff samples, monitored perched groundwater, analysed water quality and sediment concentration, and supported field-based hydrology research. -
Remote Sensing and GIS for Watershed Hydrology and Erosion Hotspot Mapping
Applied GIS and remote sensing to investigate watershed hydrology, erosion hotspots, LULC change, geomorphological characteristics, soil mapping, topographic mapping, cross-sectional mapping, and spatial patterns affecting runoff, erosion, and sediment transport. -
Lecturer in Hydrology, Water Supply, Watershed Management, GIS and Remote Sensing
Served as Lecturer at Bahir Dar Polytechnic College, where he developed and delivered courses in hydrology, water supply, watershed management, GIS and remote sensing. He supported student laboratory and field experiments and reviewed staff research. -
Water Resource Engineering – Motta Water Development Office
Worked as Water Resource Engineer at Motta Water Development Office, investigating hydrogeological characteristics of catchments, identifying groundwater potential, supporting community groundwater access, assuring surface and groundwater yield capacity, and monitoring water supply projects. -
Master’s Research Award – CGIAR-WLE Sustaining Land Management Interventions
Received a master’s thesis research award from the CGIAR Water, Land and Ecosystems program for research under the Sustaining Land Management Interventions project, implemented through collaboration between Amhara Agricultural Research Institute, International Water Management Institute, Bureau of Agriculture and Bahir Dar University. -
Advanced GIS, Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing Training
Completed training in Fundamental Advanced GIS, Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing through the Ethiopian Water Technology Institute, and Imagery in Action through ESRI, strengthening his capacity for spatial hydrology and remote sensing applications. -
Future Contribution: Hydrological Data, WASH, Research and Scientific Publications
Aims to contribute to hydrological data analysis, scientific research, peer-reviewed publication, WASH humanitarian and development projects, watershed management, GIS and remote sensing, sediment and erosion studies, climate-related water analysis, and evidence-based water resource planning in Africa.