Arba Minch University (AMU) has acquired an advanced HydroDrone system through the KfW-supported Sustainable Land Management Program Phase V (SLMP-V), marking a significant step forward in the University’s water and environmental research capacity. Click here to see more photos.
AMU is the first and currently only institution in Ethiopia to have this HydroDrone technology, giving researchers a sophisticated platform for surveying lakes and other aquatic environments and collecting detailed field data.
Unlike conventional boat-based surveys, the remotely operated HydroDrone can conduct planned surveys while carrying specialized sensors. It can collect water-depth and other aquatic measurements efficiently, reducing the logistical demands of conventional field surveys and enabling researchers to gather detailed data from aquatic environments.
AMU researchers and technical staff have received hands-on training in operating and applying the system from experts at the U.S.-based manufacturer. Following the training, the team is now putting its skills into practice on Lake Chamo, where the HydroDrone is being tested under local field conditions.
Dr. Teklu Wogayhu, Vice President for Research and Cooperation at AMU, noted that the HydroDrone is among several advanced hydrological instruments the University has received through the project, including Automatic Weather Stations and Automatic River Gauging Stations.
He emphasized that water is AMU’s first Center of Excellence and a strategic area in which the University is expected to make a significant national contribution. He said access to state-of-the-art technologies such as the HydroDrone will strengthen AMU’s capacity to advance as a Center of Excellence in water research, extend research beyond its immediate surroundings to water bodies across Ethiopia, and generate high-quality, internationally recognized and accredited data and research outputs.
Dr. Fasil Eshetu, Project Coordinator of the Lake Chamo Watershed Project, highlighted the HydroDrone’s value for generating the high-quality water-related data needed to understand aquatic systems and environmental change. He noted that although such advanced technologies require substantial investment, the quality and detail of the data they generate make them valuable assets for scientific research and environmental management.
Dr. Fasil further explained that the HydroDrone is part of a broader effort to strengthen AMU’s water-research capacity through specialized training, laboratory development, and collaboration with national and international partners. The University is also strengthening its Aquatic Ecology and Environmental Chemistry laboratory capacity to support the analysis and validation of environmental samples and data and is working toward relevant quality standards and accreditation.
The current application of the HydroDrone on Lake Chamo marks the transition from equipment acquisition and technical training to practical field research. Its use is expected to support studies related to water resources, aquatic ecology, sediment dynamics, and environmental change.
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