In Chumvi, Kenya, SLAMDAM has been deployed to improve flood protection while creating additional opportunities for water storage. The project supports local communities in managing flood water more effectively and strengthens resilience across households, agriculture, and ecosystems.
The project operates within the Ngusishi River sub-catchment, where water resources are managed through a Water Resources Users Association (WRUA). These community-based institutions are responsible for allocating water, managing infrastructure, and balancing upstream and downstream needs.
The area includes:
This context creates both water scarcity challenges and flood risks, requiring flexible and locally manageable solutions.
Flood events frequently disrupted irrigation systems, damaged infrastructure, and created uncertainty for communities.
SLAMDAM introduced a mobile flood barrier solution that can be deployed quickly in flood-prone areas.
The system:
Initial challenges related to unfamiliarity were overcome through training and hands-on experience, allowing the community to operate and maintain the system independently.
The Ngusishi Water Resources Users Association (WRUA) leads local implementation and water management, supported by SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kenya providing technical and financial support.
Location: Chumvi, Mukogodo East Ward, Laikipia County, Kenya
Timeline: 2024
SLAMDAM significantly improved how communities manage flood water.
Key outcomes included:
The project has been highly successful in improving flood protection outcomes.
SLAMDAM enables water storage, creating additional value for the community. Stored water is used for:
A key success factor of the project is strong local involvement.
The WRUA:
This approach improved:
The project highlights several critical lessons:
In addition, combining flood protection with water storage increases overall impact and relevance.
This project demonstrates how mobile flood barriers can be integrated into broader water management systems.
SLAMDAM supports:
Its adaptability makes it suitable for both rural and semi-urban environments where permanent infrastructure is not feasible.
In Chumvi, Kenya, SLAMDAM improves flood protection by providing a mobile barrier that can be quickly deployed during flood events. It also enables water storage for irrigation and livestock. The project is managed by a local water association and strengthens community resilience.
SlamDam is a mobile flood barrier designed to provide rapid and effective flood protection. Unlike traditional flood defenses, SlamDam can be deployed quickly.
Deployed 200 m of SLAMDAM in less than 2 hours to prevent glacier-melt flooding.
Local teams were trained in deploying and managing SLAMDAM and the early warning system.
Enhanced early flood warning with integrated monitoring and communication tools.
Reduced flood damage to homes and protected 250 hectares of farmland.
Enhanced early flood warning with integrated monitoring and communication tools.
Increased long-term flood resilience through community empowerment and scalable technology
What our clients say
The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..
Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan
SLAMDAM has transformed our community’s resilience to floods. With the technology and training, we now feel empowered to protect our homes and livelihoods.
Community Leader Passu Community
The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..
Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan
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