In 2002, the life expectancy of the reservoir (the duration before it is filled with sediment) was estimated at 21 years.
Gereb Mihiz
Irrigation
Designed irrigated area: 80 ha
Actual irrigated area in 2002: 38 ha
Environment
The catchment of the reservoir is 17.16 km² large, with a perimeter of 20.38 km and a length of 4910 metres. The reservoir suffers from rapid siltation. The lithology of the catchment is Mekelle Dolerite and Agula Shale. Part of the water that could be used for irrigation is lost through seepage; the positive side-effect is that this contributes to groundwater recharge.
References
^ De Wit, Joke (2003). Stuwmeren in Tigray (Noord-Ethiopië): kenmerken, sedimentatie en sediment-bronnen. Unpub. M.Sc. thesis. Department of Geography, K.U.Leuven.
^Nigussie Haregeweyn, and colleagues (2008). "Sediment yield variability in Northern Ethiopia: A quantitative analysis of its controlling factors". Catena. 75 (1): 65–76. Bibcode:2008Caten..75...65H. doi:10.1016/j.catena.2008.04.011.