planning drainage & irrigation for developing the rice...

Planning Drainage & Irrigation

for Developing the Rice Sector in

Suriname

Frédéric Mertens

Drainage & Irrigation Specialist

July 2008

NATIONAAL RIJSTPROGRAMMA

Pro ject : 9ACP RPR006

Planning Drainage & Irrigation for Developing the Rice Sector in Suriname

2

CONTENT

List of abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 4

Executive Summary ............................................................................................................... 5

Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 7

1 Land and water resources suitable for rice cultivation .......................................................... 9

1.1 Water resources data ............................................................................................ 9

1.1.1 Marowijne River ........................................................................................... 9

1.1.2 Commewijne River ...................................................................................... 10

1.1.3 Suriname River ........................................................................................... 10

1.1.4 Saramacca River ......................................................................................... 10

1.1.5 Coesewijne swamp and Coesewijne river ........................................................ 11

1.1.6 Coppename River ....................................................................................... 12

1.1.7 Coronie swamp .......................................................................................... 12

1.1.8 Nickerie River ............................................................................................ 13

1.1.9 Nanni Swamp ............................................................................................. 14

1.1.10 Lower Corantijn River .................................................................................. 17

1.2 Land resources data ............................................................................................ 18

1.3 Climate change.................................................................................................... 18

1.4 Summary of land & water resources data ................................................................. 20

1.5 Analysis ............................................................................................................. 21

1.5.1 Commewijne District ................................................................................... 21

1.5.2 Wanica District .......................................................................................... 21

1.5.3 Saramacca District ..................................................................................... 21

1.5.4 Coronie District ......................................................................................... 22

1.5.5 Nickerie District ......................................................................................... 23

2 Planned Rehabilitation of Irrigation & Drainage Systems ...................................................... 26

3 Costs for rehabilitation and new infrastructure ................................................................. 27

3.1 Unit cost of rehabilitating existing rice farms and for investing in new infrastructure......... 28

3.2 Total cost of rehabilitating existing rice farms ........................................................... 30

3.3 Investments in MCP infrastructure .......................................................................... 30

3.3.1 Prioritisation of rehabilitation works of MCP infrastructure ................................. 30

3.3.2 Further excavation of the Nanni-Creek Downstream the NDW .............................. 31

3.3.3 Rehabilitate the Corantijn Canal – West dam .................................................... 32

3.3.4 Rehabilitate and overhaul the Wakay pumping station ........................................ 32

3.3.5 Rehabilitation of the Corantijn Canal – East dam ............................................... 33

3.3.6 Rehabilitate the NDW, the HA and IKUGH Intakes ............................................. 33

3.3.7 Completion of the DOL-werken klein .............................................................. 33

3.3.8 Cleaning of the Nanni-Creek Upstream the NDW .............................................. 34

3.3.9 Corantijn Canal: + 20 m³/s .......................................................................... 34

3.4 Access Road to the autonomous polders on the LB of the Nickerie river ....................... 35

3.5 Other access roads ............................................................................................. 35

3.6 Stondansie Dam on the Nickerie river or more suitable infrastructure ............................ 35

4 Operation and Maintenance of the Irrigation and Drainage Systems ..................................... 36

4.1 Responsibilities of Involved Organisations ................................................................ 36

4.1.1Maintenance system ............................................................................................ 36

4.1.2 Water user associations .............................................................................. 36

4.1.3 Overliggend waterschap .............................................................................. 36

4.1.4 Commissie Begeleiding Waterschappen (CBW) ................................................ 37

4.1.5 Government ............................................................................................... 37

4.2 Operation & Maintenance of main canals and drains .................................................... 37


3

4.2.1 Methods used for maintaining main canals and drains ........................................ 37

4.2.2 Required equipment and staff for maintaining main canals and drains .................... 38

4.2.3 Maintenance cost when contracted out .......................................................... 38

4.3 Maintenance costs of access roads ........................................................................ 39

4.4 Operation & Maintenance costs of hydraulic infrastructure .......................................... 40

4.5 Operation & Maintenance costs of pumping stations .................................................. 40

4.6 O&M by the government and “Overliggend waterschap MCP” ..................................... 41

4.7 Other recurrent costs .......................................................................................... 42

4.8 Payment of water charges by the WUAs .................................................................. 42

Annexes

Annex 1: Map of Saramacca

Annex 2: Salinity in the Nickerie river

Annex 3: Map of the Nickerie Polders

Annex 4: Worksheet with data on land and water resources


4

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

ADRON Anne van Dijk Rice Research Centre Nickerie

BoQ Bill of Quantity

CK Corantijn Kanaal

DOL Distributie-Overlaten-Lekbeteugeling

EC European Commission

EDF European Development Fund

EU European Union

FWC Framework Contract

HA Hoofd Aanvoerleiding i.e. Main Canal

HHW Maximum Water level

IKUGH Inlaat Kunstwerk Uitbreiding Groot Hennar

LB Left Bank

LLW Lowest Low Water level

LVV “Ministerie van Landbouw, Veeteelt en Visserij”

MCP Multipurpose Corantijn Project

NDW Nanni distribution Works

NSP Nieuw Surinaams Peil

O&M Operation & maintenance

OW “Ministerie van Openbare Werken” i.e. public Works Departement

o/w out of which

RB Right Bank

RO “Ministerie van Regionale Ontwikkeling”

SPMU Suriname Project ManagementUunit

SK Suriname Kanaal

ToR Terms of Reference

WL Water Level

WLA Water Loopkundige Afdeling

WPS Wakay Pumping Station

WUA Water Users Association

ZPB Zwamp Peil Beheersingswerken” i.e. Swamp water level control structures


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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Government of Suriname could have a strategy to actively support the rice sector by

rehabilitating 15,703 ha of rice polders during the next 10 years (from 2009 to 2018).

This strategy of rehabilitation would realize the objective to recover the acreage cultivated

with rice in 1985, i.e. approximately 38,000 ha. Such a strategy could be implemented

without stumbling on constraints of land and water resources.

Areas cultivated with rice and polders to be rehabilitated are:

District Water Source Land cultivated

in 1985 for

irrigated rice

(ha)

Land cultivated

with rice in

2006 -

2007/8

(ha) (2)

Forecast Land

cultivated with

rice in 2018

(ha) (3)

Increase in

land

cultivated

with rice

2006/8-

2018 (ha)

=(3)-(2)

Commewijne Commewijne river 458 0 0 0

Wanica Suriname river 1,576 0 0 0

Saramacca Saramacca river +

Coesewijne + coastal

swamp

2,417 1,037 3,500 2,463

Coppename River

Coronie Coronie Swamp 2,206 364 3,648 3,284

Nickerie RB Nickerie river NA 3,341 10,830 7,489

LB Nickerie river (Nanni

Swamp)

NA 4,430 6,558 2,128

Corantijn river/Canal1

NA 13,104 13,444 340

Sub-total Nickerie 30,934 30,828

TOTAL 37,445 22,276 37,980 15,703

These 15,703 ha of existing rice farms could be rehabilitated over the next 10 years at a

unit cost of € 800/ha representing a total rehabilitation cost of € 12,500,000.

It is however recommended that the government would initially invest in 20 km of new access

roads to facilitate the settlement of farmers in rice-polders to be rehabilitated: this would

cost an additional € 3,330,000.

In order to implement the present strategy, the incomplete MCP infrastructures in Nickerie

will moreover require additional investments. A first part of these works will enhance the

sustainability, safety and economy of operating the CK system as well as the reliability of its

irrigation water supply. The investment cost of these urgent works would reach € 5,715,000

(including bringing the “Lekbeteugelingsdam” to design specifications and building the

Maratakka spillway for an estimated cost of € 700,000 each). A second part of these

investments mostly represent the completion of the remaining “DOL-werken klein phase I,

alternative 3” for an estimated cost of € 3,600,000. If all these investments are carried out

1 Bevolkingspolders, including 2,167.2 ha of large farms


6

at once, € 840,000 could be saved by not having to rehabilitate the NDW, HA and IKUGH

intakes.

Hence, the total investment recommended to implement the present strategy is

€ 27,505,000.

In terms of incremental government support to the rice sector for the O&M of access roads

and hydraulic infrastructure in the rice growing areas, an O&M cost of € 8/rice cultivated

ha*yr should be planned. This would result in an incremental cost to government of

€ 1,256,000/yr by 2018; this amount would however be covered by the water charges paid

by the water users to their WUAs, not only on the rehabilitated 15,703 ha, but also on the

22,276 ha presently cultivated.

A detailed audit of O&M costs by hydraulic system should however be carried out with the

active participation of OW, LVV, RO, MCP and the WUAs and with the objective to reach an

agreement on the most realistic costs. A schedule for the payment of water charges should

thereafter be agreed on the basis of these costs, taking their affordability by the farmers well

into consideration.


7

INTRODUCTION

Rice cultivation in Suriname takes mainly place in the north-western part of Suriname, within

the districts Saramacca, Coronie and Nickerie. The total rice area is approximately 50,000

ha of which more than 75% is located in Nickerie.

The improper functioning of the irrigation and drainage infrastructure, resulting from lack of

maintenance on canals and civil engineering works, damaged and uncompleted infrastructural

works, is one of the main causes of inefficient use of freshwater. Also the inadequate

functioning of the water management units contributes largely to this inefficiency.

The NIP (National Indicative Programme - 9th

EDF) signed by the Government of Suriname and

the European Commission reflects the European Commission‟s commitment to support the

rice sector in Suriname in particular and the Caribbean in general. The EU (European Union) is

indeed contributing € 24 million through the CARIFORUM to the project “Support to the

competitiveness of the rice sector in the Caribbean”.

The mission‟s ToRs were initiated and prepared by this project. They are focussed on

producing a “building block” to support the project in reaching its “Expected Result 3” (see

logical framework: “The State and non-State actors are supported in setting up a National

(Rice) Strategy in their respective beneficiary countries”).

The present short term assignment was conducted in Suriname and Guyana by Frédéric

Mertens, Drainage & Irrigation specialist, and is divided into 2 field missions of approximately

1 month (from 15 April to 15 May as well as from 03 June to 02 July 2008).

The ToRs are as follows:

First Field Mission

“…The objective is to get in touch with the realities of both countries with emphasis on

Guyana.

For each region, the consultant will investigate:

Water catchments, natural and artificial (pumps), and new projects of catchments. Costing

of pump operations and maintenance.

Irrigation canal systems, maintenance systems, costs, organisation and problems

encountered.

Land use: state of land levelling, organisations of water users, maintenance of secondary

canals, water payment

Drainage system: maintenance costs and organisation

Discharge of water to the ocean: maintenance of pumps and sluices, responsibilities,

costs

A maximum of the collected information should be positioned on maps.


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Second Field Mission

The second Field Mission in June will be more concentrated on strategy and organizational

issues.

Reporting

A “Progress Memo” will be submitted after the first field mission, including recommendations

on activities to be carried out during the second field mission.

An “End of Mission Report” will be submitted on completion of the second field mission.”

Recommendations are made at relevant locations in the body of the report; they are clearly

marked with a heading “Recommendation”


9

1 LAND AND WATER RESOURCES SUITABLE FOR RICE

CULTIVATION

1.1 WATER RESOURCES DATA

Water resources available during the dry season for rice cultivation are:

rivers,

swamps, and

aquifers.

Swamps will be described hereafter in between the sections dealing with the river into which

they drain. They are all divided into the young coastal plain to the north (relief variations of up

to 5 m) and the old coastal plain towards the south (relief variations which can exceed 10 m).

These swamps all function as potential large freshwater reservoirs.

The mission suggests that at this stage of development of the irrigated rice sector in

Suriname, there is no use to review the aquifers (there are still sufficient surface water

resources).

The sections here below show that the following water resources could be abstracted from

rivers and swamps for irrigating rice farms:

Minimum discharge

at outfall (m³/s)

Saline

intrusion

from

outfall

(km)

Discharge

required to

flush down

saline

intrusion

(m³/s)

Watershed or

swamp area

(km²)

Maximum

discharge

available for

irrigation in

driest year &

month (m³/s)

Marowijne River 48 60 69,000 48

Commewijne River (at Destombesburg

km 115 = 28.6)

115 6,600 ?

Suriname River (artificially

regulated=220 ?)

65-70 16,500 ?

Saramacca River 4.6 80 1,64 9,000 3

Coesewijne swamp &

Coesewijne River

(at Grote Berfelt

km 79 = 8)

swamp up to

800

2?

Coppename River 6 75 22,000 6

Coronie swamp (estimate of 16) NA NA 2,700 high potential

Nickerie River 2 75-80 15-17 10,000 4-6

Nanni swamp (9.5) NA NA 1,550 15

Corantijn River 41 75 68,000 31

1.1.1 Marowijne River

The measured minimum discharge at the “Lange Tabbetje” location (km 135) is 45 m³/s and

the minimum discharge at the outfall of the Marowijne River has been deducted to be 48


10

m³/s2

. The salinity wedge during dry seasons is significant up to km 60 from the river outfall

in the open sea.

1.1.2 Commewijne River

The only discharges measured in this river are those of the preliminary investigations for

irrigation capacity taken at Destombesburg at km 1153

. The measured minimum discharge at

this location is 28.6 m³/s and the average discharge at the outfall of the Commewijne River

has been deducted to be 113 m³/s. The season during which this (2 week) measurement was

made is not readily available to the mission.

The saline intrusion during dry seasons is reaching km 115.

There was no follow up on these measurements to determine the volume of fresh water that

could be abstracted from the Commewijne River for irrigation purposes.

The Surnau swamp is linked to both the Commewijne and Suriname rivers.

1.1.3 Suriname River

A hydro-electric dam has been constructed (in 1964) at km 194 with the result that the

discharge of the lower section of the river is now artificially regulated.

The measured minimum discharge at the “Afobakka” location is 214 m³/s and the minimum

discharge at the outfall of the Suriname River has been deducted to be 220 m³/s4

.

During periods of low fresh water discharge, the salt water wedge reaches km 70 (Domburg).

1.1.4 Saramacca River

The measured minimum discharge at the “Dramhosso” location (km 285) is 1.8 m³/s and the

minimum discharge at the outfall of the Saramacca River has been deducted to be 4.6 m³/s5

(see map in Annex 1).

During periods of low fresh water discharge, the salt water wedge reaches km 80

(Monkshoop).

A similar computation as for the Nickerie river6

concludes that 2,900 ha of rice fields could

be irrigated from the Saramacca River at the town of “Uitkijk”, which is located 105 km

upstream of its mouth at the sea-coast. 1.64 m³/s Are required there to flush down saline

2 WLA, Ministry of Public Works; Final report December 1999 of “Water Resources; Technical Report 4” (M. Amatali; S. Naipal). 3 idem 4 idem 5 idem 6 See hereafter section 1.1.3: WLA, Ministry of Public Works; De irrigatie-capaciteit van de Saramacca Rivier te Uitkijk; August 1978


11

intrusion. Under these circumstances the salinity of the irrigation water at Uitkijk will only

exceed 100 mg Cl/l in 1 out of 5 years. Based on an irrigation module of 1.7 l/s/ha, the

potential abstraction of irrigation water from the Saramacca River at Uitkijk would be 3 to 5

m³/s (without recycling). But by recycling once the drainage waters (module of 0.8 l/s/ha), the

irrigated rice fields could be increased to 1000*5/(1.7 – 0.8) = 6,200 ha.

RB of the Saramacca River

Lareco polders: 1,800 ha of rice farms were located there in 1985. It is not known how

much irrigation water could be abstracted out of the coastal swamps north of the Saramacca

River.

Moreover, it is to be noted that these coastal swamps are part of a protected area and that

small changes in the water balance may cause irreversible changes in the ecosystem. This

area is also covered by the concession of Staatsolie which is draining it to the sea and

compensates the farmers for not growing rice there. Hence, no further development of the

rice sector is recommended there.

Wayambo area: 850 ha of rice farms were cultivated in 1985 along the E-W road between

the crossing with the road to Uitkijk and Monkshoop (at the bridge of the E-W road over the

river). Part of this area is used for other crops.

Jarikaba polders: then there are the polders further south of the E-W road but north and

north-west of Uitkijk. Water is withdrawn there from the Saramacca river for irrigating the

banana plantations of Surland (2,980 ha; irrigation module peak water requirements of 0.4 to

0.5 l/s*ha, largely for the control of nematodes). There are not many prospects to develop

rice farming there.

LB of the Saramacca River

Large rice polders are located south of the E-W road (between this road and the Coesewijne

River). These polders have to take their irrigation water from the Coesewijne River and the

question is open whether in the future they should drain their fields into the Saramacca River

or into the Coesewijne River. The Coesewijne River also drains a large swamp.

1.1.5 Coesewijne swamp and Coesewijne River

The Coesewijne swamp covers 800 km² during the rainy season; during the dry season the

swamp reduces drastically in area. The lowest measured discharge at Grote Berfelt (km 79)

is 8 m³/s. The highest water level recorded between 1970 and 1985 at station Grote

Borfelt was 2.03 m NSP.

Recommendation:

An environmental and hydrological study would be required on how much irrigation water

could be abstracted from the Coesewijne River. It is to be noted that this area is part of a

protected area.


12

1.1.6 Coppename River

The measured minimum discharge at the “Maksita” location (km 175) is 4.4 m³/s and the

minimum discharge at the outfall of the Coppename River has been deducted to be 6 m³/s7

.

During periods of low fresh water discharge, the salt water wedge reaches km 75 upstream

from the river mouth.

1.1.7 Coronie swamp

The Coronie swamp covers an area of 2,700 km²; above the swamp soil there is a layer of

peat of approximately 0.7 m, but this layer could reach up to 4 m or more. The middle of the

swamp is free of vegetation8

. The highest water level recorded between 1971 and 1987 at

station Zoetwaterkanaal was 2.89 m NSP.

It is anticipated that very substantial water resources could be tapped from this swamp for

irrigation. A hydrological and topographical study of the Coronie Swamp is however required

to quantify its irrigation water potential under various construction scenarios of hydro-

agricultural infrastructure, like:

a drainage channel up to the centre of the swamp, or

a conservancy (in its lowest parts only), which may include plugging off the heads of

drainage creeks flowing from the Coronie swamp into the Coppename river or into the

Wayambo creek (like the Pereko creek, so that more water would become available to the

polders in the North of the swamp or to the Nickerie river).

development of rice farming along the Wayambo Creek (RB, near Cornelis Kondre; south

of this swamp and district), instead of along the coastal road in the north of the swamp

(where there are more problems of tides, saline intrusion and coastal erosion). The

Coppename River is however a pristine environmental watershed and polluting this river

with agrochemicals used for rice farming may not be acceptable.

Care should be taken during such a study to also plan for maintaining or even increasing the

natural drainage from the Coronie swamp into the Nickerie river (because of the saline

intrusion problems on that river). Environmental impacts will of course need to be taken into

account.

Extrapolating the minimum discharge capacity of the Nanni swamp to the Coronie swamp on

the basis of the relative size of these swamps, it is estimated that the Coronie swamp should

provide a minimal discharge of 16 m³/s (subject to required hydraulic infrastructures).

In one of the 1987 seasons, 3,595 ha of rice farms were seeded in Coronie. Water supply

during the dry season from the swamp appeared to have been problematic at that time.

Erosion of the coast has occurred at least over the last 20 years, between Burnside and

Totness. It appears to be part of a 30 year cycle which may just have ended: coastal

7 idem as footnote 1 8 idem as footnote 1


13

sedimentation has again been observed. The ADEK Universiteit of Suriname (with the KUL of

Leuven - Belgium) is at present carrying out applied research on the causes of this erosion

and on the stabilisation of the sea-shore through parwa and mangrove trees.

1.1.8 Nickerie River

The measured minimum discharge at the “Stondansie” location (km 240) is 1.8 m³/s and the

minimum discharge at the outfall of the Nickerie River has been deducted to be 2 m³/s. The

maximum discharge at the outfall has been deducted to be 880 m³/s9

.

During periods of low fresh water discharge, the salt water wedge10

reached km 75 to 80

km upstream from the river mouth (this is based on data collected before 1987).

The pump-house of the SML in Wageningen is located 73 km upstream from its mouth in the

open sea (Nieuw-Nickerie is at 20 km from the river mouth in the open sea; see map in Annex

3).

The dry season bottom salinities of the Nickerie River at Wageningen greatly vary between a

“normal year” and an “extremely dry year” (see Annex 2). A salinity of 7 g Cl/l has been

recorded in Wageningen, though it more regularly reaches (only) 500 mg Cl/l11

. Eight out of

the 40 seasons between 1964 and 1984 have had problems with salt water in the river at

Wageningen.

The Maratakka River is permanently fresh and would have a discharge of 12 m³/s12

.

The Nickerie River has13

in Wageningen a minimum discharge of 18 m³/s during the driest

month (November) in 1 out of 10 years. The drainage of the areas on the LB of the Nickerie

River downstream of Wageningen is expected to discharge an additional 8 m³/s during a dry

year; an estimated 37% of this drainage discharge is efficient in flushing down the intrusion of

saline water, which is an equivalent of 3 m³/s. But flushing down the salt water intrusion

requires 15-17 m³/s, which means that only 4-6 m³/s are available for irrigation. Based on a

drainage module of 0.8 l/s/ha for rice areas irrigated on the RB (to be flushed back during the

driest month into the Nickerie River and of which 37% is efficient in reducing salt intrusion),

an equivalent of 0.3 l/s/ha would become available in Wageningen. This is equivalent to

reducing the irrigation module from 1.7 l/s/ha to a net abstraction from the river of 1.4 l/s/ha.

Hence, with the minimum 4 - 6 m³/s, a total rice area between 2,800 to 4,300 ha may be

irrigated out of the Nickerie river. The 15,000 ha developed and cultivated with rice on the

RB of the Nickerie River in 1985 are by consequence far in excess of the water availability of

this river.

9 idem as footnote 1 10 considered to be 300 to 500 mg/l chlorinity level 11 WLA, Ministry of Public Works; De Studie v.h. gecombineerd benutten v.h. Corantijn Kanaal, Nannizwamp, en Nickerie river; July 1982

(pg 4). 12 Idem footnote 2 13 M. Hindori; April 1987; pg 19


14

One proposal and one idea were put forward to enhance the capacity of the Nickerie river

with fresh irrigation water:

The Stondansie dam: The Stondansie falls are at 240 km from the Nickerie river mouth;

average discharge at the location of an eventual Stondansie dam is 78 m³/s. The scenario

with the Stondansie dam is that a net area of approx 45,000 ha of rice could be

irrigated from the Nickerie River (allowing for water-stress in 1 out of 5 years)14

.

A new, still informal idea is to increase the available discharge of the Nickerie River

through the construction of a tidal gate across the river somewhere upstream of the

Jamaer Canal (Longway), where the river is at its narrowest. But the maximum discharge of

the Nickerie river at that point is estimated to be 880 m³/s (average over a whole tidal

cycle), which may indicate very high investment and maintenance cost and significant

environmental impacts. Indeed, the evacuation of the maximum flood to the sea would

require the section of the sluice gates to be as large as the natural section of the river

(the flow of the water should not be restricted). Salt water intrusion would so be

prevented, which would increase the discharge available for irrigation from 4 – 6 m³/s to

18 m³/s without any recycling of drainage waters; and to an estimate of 46 m³/s

(18+8+20) with recycling once all LB and RB drainage waters). Under this last with

recycling scenario, approx. 26,000 ha of rice could be irrigated from the Nickerie River.

Additional infrastructural options exist (like a low underwater weir just downstream

Wageningen, stopping significant intrusion of the salt water wedge). Hence, when required,

an analysis should be carried out comparing the cost and benefits of all infrastructural

options.

Average tidal amplitude at the Nickerie River mouth (in Nieuw Nickerie sea dike D/S) is 2.1 m.

Difference between the highest and the lowest tides is however 4.21 m (!; +2.63m to –

1.58m) at its mouth in the open sea.

Recommendation:

Collection of hydrologic data on the Nickerie River should urgently re-start: the last data

were collected in 1987 when the CK was just completed and in operation. The CK is

preventing on a large scale gravity drainage of the Nanni swamp towards the Corantijn river:

this may have disturbed the “natural” hydrology of the Maratacca Creek, hence the Nickerie

river (increased discharge and water levels in the Maratacca creek). The salt wedge is even

said not to reach beyond the Henar road-bridge at present (km 52 instead of km 75-80)15

.

More data collection is required to confirm this.

1.1.9 Nanni Swamp

The total area of the Nanni swamp has been reduced by the years by expansion of the rice

lands.

The Lekbeteugelingsdam was constructed in the 1960‟s to separate the Nanni swamp from

14 WLA, Ministry of Public Works; Voorlopige berekening van de capaciteit v.h. Stondansie stuwmeer; April 1977 (with an irrigation module of 1.9 l/s/ha) 15 Verbal communication by LVV Nickerie


15

the potential polders located to its North along the left bank of the Nickerie River. This

Lekbeteugelingsdam is at present only effective over its first 12 km. The Nanni Swamp has

effectively been cut off from its natural drainage system to the Corantijn River; the Nanni

Creek has been dammed off in 1964 by the NDW whereas the CK (built around 1985)

prevents any leakage to the west.

There is one main levee cutting the Nanni Swamp in 2 parts: a smaller half to the NW (“Nanni

North Swamp”; 650 km²) and a larger southern half to the SE (“Nanni South Swamp”; 900

km²). The levee is located north of the zigzagging Nanni Creek and effectively divides the

Nanni swamp in 2 distinct hydrological units. The “Nanni North Swamp” and a larger southern

half to the SE (“Nanni South Swamp”).

Before the construction of the Corantijn Canal, only 22% of the water resources of the Nanni

Southern Swamp drained naturally through that ridge into the Northern swamp.

The Western part of the above described levee intersects the CK around km 34, whereas its

North-Eastern end joins up with the Lekbeteugelingsdam around km 33.3 (where the

Maratakka spillway is planned).

Hydrological data

Hydrological data from WLA16

are given in the table here below:

Water Levels of Nanni swamp (in m NSP)

Nanni Swamp

Station 1310 Nanni-bekken

Period 1962-1985

Maximum water level (HHW) & year of occurrence 331 (1983)

Minimum water level (LLW) & year of occurrence 59 (1964,1984)

Mean water level 222

Maximum WL (HHW) in the Nanni Swamp reached 3.31 m NSP in 1983 (measured over 23

years). The Lekbeteugelingsdam and East dam of the CK have been designed at 4.45 m NSP

by the "DOL-werken klein", which gives 1.1 m as effective free-board.

Drainage discharge capacity of the Nanni Swamp

The peak drainage discharge capacity for the Northern Nanni Swamp is estimated at 26 m³/s

for a 20 year recurring rainfall, and 41 m³/s for a 50 year recurring rainfall17

.

The minimum drainage discharge capacity of the Nanni Swamp during a dry month of a dry

year is estimated at 9.5 m³/s. During a dry month of a year with average rainfall, the

discharge of the swamp available for irrigation will be 12.5 m³/s and this discharge increases

16 « WaterLoopkundige Afdeling » of Suriname 17 Spillway discharge capacities have been designed to cope with a 20 year recurring flood event.


16

to 16.8 m³/s during extreme wet years18

. But the Nanni creek upstream to the east of the

NDW should be cleaned over 25 km (into the swamp) in order to increase the collection of

the swamp waters19

. The discharge of the Nanni swamp available to irrigation has therefore

been set for planning purposes at 15 m³/s.

The Southern Nanni Swamp is not as confined as the Northern Nanni Swamp, because it will

continue to drain freely to the Maratakka creek to its East and to the Kapoeri Creek and

Corantijn River to its South. Three swamp water level control structures (under construction)

will moreover drain the western part of the Southern Nanni Swamp into the CK.

Water Levels measured on the CK

Water levels on the CK were measured during April-May 2006. The Wakay pumping station

did not operate during this period; WLs varied then between 2.00 m and 3.10 m which is

well below design level. The fact is that the CK waters will need to be maintained well below

design level till the “DOL-werken Klein” will be executed. This has a negative impact (erosion)

on the downstream side of the km 33 ZPB structure constructed in the East dam of the CK.

Proposal for increased utilization of the Nanni Swamp waters

The drainage discharge capacity of the Nanni Swamp estimated at 15 m³/s could be

increased by one or a combination of the following measures:

The yield of the southern swamp could be improved by selectively damming off in an

environmentally friendly way some of the upper reaches of the Kapoeri creek to prevent

this water to be drained to the Corantijn River. Natural drainage channels into the

Maratakka creek and into the CK could perhaps be improved at the same time20

. This

would substantially increase the drainage of the Southern Nanni Swamp into the Maratakka

Creek and into the CK.

Implement part of “DOL werken Klein” by:

Extend the East embankment of the CK up to the “Lekbeteugelingsdam”,

Raise the “Lekbeteugelingsdam” to design specifications (height of + 4.45 m and

crest width of at least 4 m)21

,

Build the Maratacca spillway at the end of the Suriname Canal (to transfer water into

the Nickerie River). Possibly a second (higher) spillway halfway the Suriname Canal

may also be required (for emergency spilling only)

Clean the Suriname Canal (33 km from IKUGH intake to Maratacca creek)22,

Water quality

Some water quality parameters were measured by this mission in the Nanni Swamp and in the

CK; they are as follows:

18 WLA, Ministry of Public Works; Final report December 1999 of “Water Resources; Technical Report 4” (M. Amatali; S. Naipal). 19 For security reasons, this should only be done after the implementation of all “DOL-werken klein”. 20 Enlarging the section of the Nanni creek breaching through the levees separating its northern from its southern parts may not be that

cost effective (because of the higher elevation of this central part of the Nanni swamp. 21 Partly undertaken at present by OW Nickerie (5m top width, but no design elevation specified in NSP) 22 Undertaken at present by OW Nickerie


17

Location PH Conductivity (ppt) Temperature (°C)

Swamp at CK km 18 4.8 0.02 25

CK at km 19 5.2 0.035 29

CK at km 27.5 (E-pand) 4.95 0.025 -

Swamp at CK km 33 5.4 0.025 -

CK at km 52 (South Drain) 5.5 0.015 28

These few data may indicate:

a lower temperature of the swamp water than of the CK water,

a lower acidity (higher pH) of the swamp-water close to the levees (“ritsen”).

1.1.10 Lower Corantijn River

The measured minimum discharge at the “Mataway” location (km 243) is 31 m³/s and the

minimum discharge at the outfall of the Corantijn River has been deducted to be 41 m³/s.

Hence, the minimum flow at Wakay PS was at least 31 m³/s during the dry seasons of the

1960‟s and 1970‟s23

.

Water Levels of Corantijn River (in m NSP)

Corantijn River

Station 1122 Oreala 1131 Apoera

Period 1966-1985 1963-1985

Maximum water level (HHW) & year of occurrence 266 (1971,1979) 352(1971)

Minimum water level (LLW) & year of occurrence -9924

(1976) -79 (1983)

Mean water level 68 90

For designing the 2 drains and the Nanni creek downstream the spillways of the CK, average

WL on the Corantijn River have been computed as follows:

Nickerie:

Highest WL Nieuw Nickerie monding (sea dike D/S): +2.05 m NSP

Lowest WL Nickerie monding (sea dike D/S): - 1.58 m NSP

Average WL Nickerie monding (sea dike D/S): +0.235 m NSP

Nannie Creek:

Average Water Level at Nannie Creek : +0.30 m NSP

Zuid Drain:

Average Water Level at Zuid Drain: +0.39 m NSP

E-Pand Drain:

Average Water Level at E-Pand Drain: +0.53 m NSP

During periods of low fresh water discharge, the salt water wedge25

reaches 75 km upstream

from the river mouth.

23 “Hydraulic Research Division” (WLA, Ministry of Public Works, Basismeetnet, April 1983) ; and WLA, Ministry of Public Works; Final

report December 1999 of “Water Resources; Technical Report 4” (M. Amatali; S. Naipal). 24 or -103? 25 considered to be 300 to 500 mg/l chlorinity level


18

With the pumping of 30 m³/s at Wakay (km 140), it is determined that saline water (chloride

% of 300 mg/l or higher) reaches this location once in 5 years if the pumping station is fully

in operation.

However, if additional pumps of 20 m³/s capacity would be installed at the E-pand drain (km

73 from sea mouth), then pumping would need to be managed in relation to saline intrusion at

that location.

1.2 LAND RESOURCES DATA

Eight sheets of the “Reconnaissance map of the Suriname Lowlands” (STINASU; 1978) have

been scanned and & analysed by the mission.

The most suitable soils are found in the fresh-water areas, mostly young swamps and young

river banks covered:

either by tall grass (swamps),

or forests (dryland- / swamp- / marsh-)

Some of the soils of the old swamps are not suitable for agriculture (peat soils, …).

But there are definitely sufficient land resources available in Suriname for increasing the area

under rice cultivation.

It should be noted that impounding water in swamps by (partly) damming them of, raises their

water level, which:

first, loses as a resource some suitable lands covered by those very shallow reservoirs,

second, stimulates the evaporation of these reservoirs (5 mm/day as a yearly average26);

these evaporated water resources are lost for irrigation or for preventing saline intrusion

in the main rivers or for environmental purposes in the coastal wetlands.

The method used by the CK in the Nickerie District to bring water to the rice fields by

pumping them upstream out of a large river (Corantijn) into a primary irrigation canal (Corantijn

Canal) is more efficient in the sense that less land is occupied by very shallow reservoirs and

less fresh water is lost through evaporation.

1.3 CLIMATE CHANGE

The rise in sea level is estimated to be in the order of + 0.25 m over a period of 30 years.

This will negatively affect the land and water resources available for rice cultivation by:

reducing the drainage capacity of existing sluice gates,

increasing the intrusion of the salt wedge into the rivers, which may affect pumped

irrigation water more frequently and/or more severely (for example Wageningen),

26 considered equivalent to the evaporation of a water body (ref. Coronie Swamp; Abrahams 1988)


19

increased risk of overtopping of flood alleviation infrastructure (like sea defences or

dykes), and

increased salinization of soils.

To cope with the reduced capacity of drainage sluices, some pumped drainage systems may

need to be installed.

Recommendations:

The authorities will need to implement a policy of returning the lowest lying polders to

wetlands so that these could be raised by natural sedimentation (extremely active process in

this part of the world). The authorities should moreover prepare for large parts of the coastal

area which are now only occasionally flooded, to be flooded twice a day (at every high tide).

A study may be required on whether the average rate of natural sedimentation in the

Surinamese lowlands will be higher or lower than the rise in sea level.


20

1.4 SUMMARY OF LAND & WATER RESOURCES DATA

Areas of rice farming in Suriname are regrouped hereafter according to the districts and for the Nickerie District rice farms, according

to its 3 sources of irrigation water (for more data, see worksheet in Annex 4).

District Water Source Estim. pot.

abstraction

under driest

month

conditions

(m³/s) (1)

Potential rice

irrigation

estimated at

1.7 to 1.8

l/s/ha (ha)

Land

resources

suitable for

rice (ha)

Land

cultivated in

1985 for

irrigated rice

(ha)

Land

cultivated

with rice in

2006 -

2007/8

(ha) (2)

Forecast

Land

cultivated

with rice in

2018 (ha)

(3)

Forecast

Water

Require-

ments in

2018 (m³/s)

(4)

Forecast

Water

Balance in

2018

(m³/s)

(1) – (4)

Increase in

land cultivated

with rice

2006/8-

2018 (ha)

=(3)-(2)

Marowijne Marowijne river 48 available 0

Commewijne Commewijne river - 1,000 1,000 458 0 0 0 - 0

Wanica Suriname river - NA urbanisation 1,576 0 0 0 - 0

Saramacca Saramacca river +

Coesewijne +

coastal swamp

3 + 2? 2,900 –

6,200

6,500 2,417 1,037 3,500 6 -1 2,463

Coppename River 6

Coronie Coronie Swamp high potential 1,800 – & up available 2,206 364 3,648 6.2 - 3,284

Nickerie RB Nickerie river 4 - 6 2,800 –

4,300

25,000 NA 3,341 10,830 18.4 -13 7,489

LB Nickerie river27

(Nanni Swamp)

15 8,824 20,000 NA 4,430 6,558 11.1 +3.9 2,128

Corantijn

river/Canal28

30 17,647 16,400 NA 13,104 13,444 22.8 +7.2 340

MCP-Polder - - 6,300 -

Sub-total Nickerie 51 30,771 30,934 30,828 56.6

TOTAL SURINAME - 37,445 22,276 37,980 15,703

27 Including 1,358 ha along LB Maratacca creek 28 Including 2,167.2 ha of large farms


21

1.5 ANALYSIS

The forecast of rice production made in the above table is based on the following

assumptions:

1.5.1 Commewijne District

Rice cultivation has actually disappeared there and more needs to be found out on the

reasons for this (suitability of soils, presence of farmers / agri-business entrepreneurs,

availability of labour,…).

The LOC (Landbouw Ontwikkeling Commewijne) project of 1975 was a failure. There appears

to be a problem with some of its soils which are said to be too permeable and/or to lack

phosphor. Otherwise LOC could have been rehabilitated for rice farming.

There are certainly still good soils available near the Cottica and Marowijne River, but this

would mean new developments with new hydraulic infrastructures and access roads.

1.5.2 Wanica District

Rice cultivation has stopped there (Pad van Wanica, Reeberg and Rijsdijk,…) at least since

the early 1990ies due to the urbanisation around Paramaribo and the ensuing diversification

of agriculture (livestock, food crops, …). Most farms there are small multi-cropping farms. A

project is now implemented to develop water user associations in the Reeberg polder in

support to livestock production.

Hence no emphasis will be given to the rice sector in Wanica District.

1.5.3 Saramacca District

RB of the Saramacca River

Lareco polders: from the 1,800 ha of rice farms which were located there in 1985 it is

proposed to retain for planning purposes a 900 ha of rice farms cultivated each season.

Wayambo area: from the 850 ha of rice farms which were located there in 1985 it is

proposed to retain for planning purposes a 600 ha of rice farms cultivated each season.

Jarikaba polders: no rehabilitation of rice farming is planned there.

The rice fields on the right bank of the Saramacca River may take advantage of the fresh-

water swamps in that area, while taking environmental constraints of this coastal area in due

consideration.

Recommendation:

Hence, further studies are required before irrigating from these fresh water swamps (similar

as for the Coesewijne River).


22

LB of the Saramacca River

The 1,750 ha rice farms established there in 1985 would be rehabilitated and an additional

250 ha rice farms would be developed and cultivated each season. These rice fields are

located between the E-W road and the Coesewijne River; they would be irrigated from that

river (at a place where there is no more saline intrusion).

Recommendation:

A study of the irrigation capacity of the Coesewijne River would therefore be required (with

environmental assessment).

Historic increase of the Saramacca rice areas between 1980 and 1985 was 24%/year. By

applying the same increase to the areas seeded with rice in 2006, 3,500 ha would be

seeded each season as from 2014. As from this date, the area cultivated with rice would

remain constant. Based on the present rice varieties produced, medium/long grain rice could

be produced there for animal fodder.

But the above table shows that only 5 m³/s would be available during the driest months,

whereas 6 m³/s would be required for irrigation. The 1 m³/s additional requirements would be

covered by recycling (0.8 l/s/ha), by additional water from the Coesewijne river/swamp and/or

by the coastal swamp.

1.5.4 Coronie District

Land tenure is a constraint in Coronie, but mostly along the E-W road (landownership issues

have generally remained unresolved there), less in the rice polders. There appear also to be

slightly more land tenure problems in the Coronie –Oostelijke than in the Westelijke polders.

Too much credit was initially given to the rice farmers during the 1980ies. The landlords are

now heavily indebted towards the Landbouwbank. But private entrepreneurs are willing to

invest in these polders.

Initially the polders yielded 7 t/ha rice, but this has fallen back to 4 t/ha (supposedly due to

the weaning from the natural soil fertility).

The present mission evaluates that there is a good opportunity for striking a deal between

the local landlords, private entrepreneurs and the already heavily involved Landbouwbank.

Anticipating that such a tripartite deal would be struck soon, the mission has planned a

dynamic rehabilitation of the Coronie rice polders.

Historic increase of the Coronie rice polders between 1980 and 1985 was 47%/year. By

applying the same growth rate to the areas seeded with rice in 2006, 3,648 ha would be

seeded each season as from 2014. As from this date, the area cultivated with rice would

remain constant.

This growth rate is much higher than the historic one for the rice areas of Suriname (at

national level) from 1980 to 1984 and from 2003/4 to 2007/8 (approximately 4%/yr). A

high growth rate is however justified because the chance of a comprehensive deal to be

struck is high.


23

There are at present two ZPB structures: one in Burnside and one at the zoetwater canal; a

third ZPB structure needs to be built in Ingikondre. The “lekbeteuglingsdam” (i.e.

conservancy dam) is of poor quality. It was stated to the mission that € 500,000 would be

required to rehabilitate the Coronie rice polders: this amount should probably be multiplied by

5 or 6.

No water shortage is expected for the 3,284 ha rice farms planned for rehabilitation in the

Coronie District (provided the Coronie swamp waters are adequately controlled).

Recommendation:

Further studies should be carried out on the required water quality of the drainage water and

on the capacity of the Coronie swamp to provide irrigation water to these polders. Such

research could involve the “Centrum voor Landbouwonderzoek in Suriname” (CELOS) and the

ADEK University of Paramaribo.

1.5.5 Nickerie District

More than 80% of Nickerie‟s working population is involved in the rice sector.

The Nickerie District has three sources of water: the Nickerie (cum Maratacca) river, the Nanni

swamp and the Corantijn River (through the Corantijn Canal). Though these three water

sources should be used in a combined way, the rice areas on the RB of the Nickerie River are

naturally dependant on the hydrology of the Nickerie River only.

Irrigation water for the majority of the small rice fields (less than 4 ha) is being derived from

the Corantijn Canal. Fresh water is pumped by the Wakay pumping station out of the Corantijn

River into the Corantijn canal. From the canal it is distributed to the main irrigation channels

through which the various polders of the left bank of the Nickerie River are being supplied.

RB Nickerie River

The development of rice farming on the RB of the Nickerie River is constrained by the 6 m³/s

which are available for irrigation from that river during the driest part of the year (November).

This means that only 4,300 ha of rice can be farmed during dry years on the RB of the

Nickerie River unless one of the following two measures is taken:

Recycling of drainage water

Combined use of the irrigation capacity of the Nickerie river, Nanni swamp and Corantijn

canal, or

Construction of the Stondansie dam (or construction of a tidal gate across the Nickerie

river or of another more suitable infrastructure)

It is assumed for planning purposes that only the first two measures will be implemented over

the next 10 years.


24

It is therefore planned for:

SML-Wageningen:

The Government has distributed 5,000 ha of this 9,700 ha former state farm to

187 selected farmers. It will finance SRD 1.76 million for a once-of cleaning of

the primary and secondary canals and drains29

.

A miller (Guptar) is financing 50 of these newly established farmers (each on a 24

ha plot of land). These 50 farms would result in an increased area of 1,200 ha.

More globally, LVV assesses that approximately 20% of the new established

farmers may spend some funds to become active. Both these assessments lead

to a 600 ha/year of the SML-area being put back into production as from the

2009 season (to a total of 6,000 ha in 2018). The rehabilitation of SML existing

polders is given priority to the development of new autonomous farms on the LB

of the Nickerie River (because they already exist).

Middenstandspolder:

With their renewed access to irrigation water (pumped from SML-Wageningen),

the Middenstandspolder is expected to restart production on 430 ha in 2008,

500 ha in 2009 and 500 ha in 2010 (which will increase its area seeded with

rice to 930 ha in 2009 and 1,430 ha in 2010, and constant thereafter),

Autonomous farms of the RB Nickerie River

The large farms of the autonomous areas and of the RB of the Nickerie River are

expected to recover their 1987 level. They will therefore increase their rice area

by 489 ha in 2009 (to 3,400 ha).

The above planning results in 10,830 ha of rice farms being seeded by 2018 on the RB of

the Nickerie river, which leads to a deficit in irrigation water of 13 m³/s. The combined use of

the Nickerie River, Nanni swamp and Corantijn canal provides however a solution: there is

11.1 m³/s spare capacity of irrigation water originating from the Nanni swamp and the

Corantijn canal which should be discharged through the Maratacca spillway (to be

constructed) at the end of the Suriname Canal, into the Maratacca creek, so increasing the

discharge of the Nickerie River.

The additional 1.9 m³/s required by the RB could be provided by recycling drainage water

and/or by improving the drainage discharge of the Southern Nanni swamp into the Maratacca

creek.

Nanni swamp for the LB of the Nickerie River

Because of the scarcity of irrigation water in the Nickerie River, the autonomous farms on the

LB of the Nickerie River (including those along the Maratacca creek) should take their

irrigation water exclusively from the Nanni swamp and the Corantijn Canal.

Farming at the Maratacca creek peaked in 1986; and no farming was carried out on either

bank of the Maratacca creek30

after 1992. These farms are for planning purposes

hydrologically linked to the LB of the Nickerie River because of the planned discharge through

the Maratacca spillway (end of the Suriname Canal).

29 SRD 181/ha if cleaned on the 9,700 ha; or SRD 352/ha if only for the areas that have been given out 30 Previously farmed by farmers Berenstein and Roepram; these farms probably need pumped drainage infrastructure because of the high

water levels in the Maratacca creek (due to the CK preventing largely gravity drainage towards the Corantijn river.


25

2,128 Ha of autonomous farms on the LB of the Nickerie River are planned to be

rehabilitated by 2018 (from 4,430 ha in 2006 to 6,558 ha in 2018). This corresponds to

the historic growth of rice farming in Suriname (4%/yr).

Recommendation:

Access roads to this area will need to be established in order to attract and settle rice

entrepreneurs/farmers.

Land-allocation or transfer practices need to be rationalised/more transparent in order to

reduce the hurdles to prospective new rice-farmers in these autonomous areas. These rice

farmers will settle, but they need facilitation by the government.

More rice farms could be established in the autonomous areas of the LB of the Nickerie River,

but not just with the presently available in water resources (without Stondansie dam or other

more suitable infrastructure).

Corantijn Canal

The Corantijn Canal will supply 22.8 m³/s from the Wakay pumping station through the Nanni,

HA and IKUGH distribution structures to the “Bevolkingspolders”. The estimate of rice farms

seeded there during the 2006 season is 13,917 ha, whereas the estimate for the 2007/8

season is 13,104 ha. Starting from the later and slightly lower estimate, the area planned to

be seeded in 2009 reaches 13,444 ha (this will correspond to approx. 100% land

utilisation31

). Some recycling of the drainage water should be planned so that net irrigation

water consumption of the Bevolkingspolders (LB only) would be reduced: this will contribute

to reserve the balance of 1.9 m³/s required to irrigate the RB of the Nickerie river (through

the Maratacca spillway).

31 The 1,430 ha of the Middenstandspolder are not included and the urbanisation of Nickerie may take more land away from rice

cultivation;


26

2 PLANNED REHABILITATION OF IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE

SYSTEMS

All drainage of rice farms is done by gravity (except SML of Wageningen which involves some

pumping).

All irrigation of rice farming in the Nickerie District involves some pumping, either in

Wageningen, either in Wakay pumping station and/or at the Clara pumping station (in the

Bevolkingspolders/Van Wouw canal) or finally also because of recycling the drainage water. All

rice growing areas should therefore be considered as pumped systems.

A total of 15,703 ha would be rehabilitated between 2009 and 2018. Distribution by

district would be as follows:

District Rice polders to be rehabilitated

(ha)

Marowijne 0

Commewijne 0

Wanica 0

Saramacca 2,463

Coronie 3,284

Nickerie: 9,956

- RB Nickerie river 7,489

SML Wageningen 6,000

Middenstandspolder 1,000

Autonomous farms 489

- LB Nickerie river: 2,468

Autonomous farms32 2,128

Bevolkingspolders 340

Total all districts 15,703

Additional developments of rice farming in the Nickerie District would require investing in the

Stondansie dam or in other more suitable infrastructure.

32 These farms can include areas along the Maratacca creek.


27

3 COSTS FOR REHABILITATION AND NEW INFRASTRUCTURE

Summary

Description of works Cost in €

1 Rehabilitation existing rice-farms: Total all districts 15,703 ha 12,500,000

Saramacca: 2,463 ha

Coronie33

: 3,284 ha

Nickerie: 9,956 ha

- RB Nickerie river: 7,489 ha

SML Wageningen: 6,000 ha

Middenstandspolder: 1,000 ha

Autonomous farms: 489 ha

- LB Nickerie river: 2,468 ha

Autonomous farms: 2,128

Bevolkingspolders: 340 ha

2 Rehabilitate the Corantijn Canal – West dam (out of MCP and included in

rehabilitation cost)

(1,250,000)

3 Rehabilitate the NDW, the HA and IKUGH Intakes (out of MCP and included in

rehabilitation cost)

(840,000)

Investments in MCP: 11,675,000

4 Build erosion protection downstream ZPB (km 33) & spillways at km 27.5 and

52 on the CK

100,000

5 Further excavation of the Nanni-Creek Downstream the NDW 2,000,000

6 Rehabilitate and overhaul the Wakay pumping station:

Supply & Installation of parts for diesel engines, 875,000

Supply & Installation of Gearboxes & Pumps 860,000

Works at Wakay Pumping Station & Premises and electronic engineering 1,240,000

7 Rehabilitation of the Corantijn Canal – East dam 1,600,000

8 Completion of the DOL-werken klein:

Build the “Lekbeteugelingsdam” to design specifications

Build the Maratakka spillway

Extend East-dam of CK up to the “Lekbeteugelingsdam”

Remove the dam across the CK

Build the Nanni swamp control structure

Build the Nanni Inlet Stondansie Kanaal

Redesign an enlarged Stondansie kanaal

Build Stondansie - Inlet HA (new)

Build Stondansie - Tail Regulator to Henar polders

Establish an all weather sand road from Nanni to IKUGH

5,000,000

(700,000)

(700,000)

Investments in Access Roads: 3,330,000

9 Access Road to the autonomous polders on the LB of the Nickerie river 3,000,000

10 5 km of other access roads 330,000

TOTAL INVESTMENT 27,505,000

33 One ZPB structure would need to be build in Ingikondre (€ 240,000)


28

3.1 UNIT COST OF REHABILITATING EXISTING RICE FARMS AND FOR INVESTING IN NEW

INFRASTRUCTURE

Rice farm rehabilitation costs have been based as much as possible on actual (historic) unit

costs; they would amount to the following (see section 4.3.3 for routine maintenance cost):

Summary

€/ha rehabilitated % cost

Overall rehabilitation (Feasibility 700 ha Sawmill creek polder) 857 100

Estimate based on MCP (17,647 ha potentially irrigated) 787 100

Rehabilitation of pumping station 35 4

Rehabilitation of “lekbeteugelings” dam and (Nanni) swamp water

collector

30 4

Rehabilitation Main water transport canal (CK) (from invest.) and

related Drains

74 + 76 = 150 19

Rehabilitation of Main hydraulic structures (from invest.) 50 6

Cleaning plus additional excavation of the primary and secondary

Drain and Canal system

88 11

Rehabilitation of Access roads 334 42

Rehabilitation Tertiary system (estimate) 100 13

These costs will of course vary according to the specific characteristics of each polder.

A detailed review of historic costs has resulted in the following data:

Overall rehabilitation cost for Sawmill Creek polder (700 ha) is planned to be € 600,000 34,

which would represent € 857/ha.

Rehabilitation pumping station: See Wakay pumping station in section 3.3

Rehabilitation Main Canals and related Drains:

Cleaning CK:

€ 785,910 for 16,400 ha = € 48/ha command

Cleaning E-pand & South Drains

€ 148,137 for 14 km = € 10.60/m; or for 16.400 ha = € 9/ha command

Cleaning the Nanni Creek downstream

SRD 274,000 for 14 km = € 4.55/m; or for16,400 ha = €16.70/ha command

Rehabilitation lekbeteugelings dam and swamp collector

Cleaning plus additional excavation of the Surinam canal, plus raising the lekbeteugelingsdam

by 1 m:

SRD 1,018,000 for 36.7 km = € 6.50/m or € 30/ha command

34 ILACO 2008 (2 volumes) is not available to the mission at the time of reporting


29

Main canals & drains:

8,100 ha of the 9,000 ha “landaanwinningspolders” in Nickerie: 98.3 km main canals &

drains were cleaned and further excavated once with a 1 year maintenance contract for

SRD 450,000 (2007 prices): this means that there are in average 12 m/ha of mains and

that the cost of cleaning plus 1 year maintenance is SRD 4.58/m or € 4.15/m;

SRD 56/ha or € 14/ha rehabilitated.

SML-Wageningen: The Government finances SRD 1.76 million for a once-of cleaning of

the primary and secondary canals and drains on 9,700 ha, which is SRD 181/ha or

€ 45/ha rehabilitated (up to 88).

Cleaning plus additional excavation:

SRD 4 to 5/m or € 1.20/m or

contract prices of 10/2007: SRD 11.55/m or € 2.80/m or € 34/ha rehabilitated

Onderleider Brutoverkaveling: SRD 118,550 for 11 km = € 2.50/m or € 87.50/ha

command (315 ha).

Length of main canals and drains: 12 m/ha rice farm

Main canals & drains cleaned & deepened once = € 14-88/ha rehabilitated

Rehabilitation costs access roads:

Covering an existing dirt road with sand (approx. 30 cm): € 25/m

13.4 m/ha rice farm of dirt roads

Rehabilitation access roads: € 334/ha rice farm

Investment costs of access roads

Covering an existing dirt road with 45 to 65 cm sand: € 35 to 66/m

Stabilising a clay track with 40 cm sand to bring it up to a sand road (SRD 450/m):

€ 112/m

Covering an existing dirt road with tiles: SRD 550 to 669/m; or € 170/m

Covering an existing dirt roads with asphalt: USD 7,801,878/26,700 m; or € 188/m

Building a road-bridge: USD 285,000 or € 185,000

Construction access roads: € 884 to 2,500/ha rice farm

Investment costs of dikes

Construction of Zeedijk in Nickerie: NFL 38,000,000 in 1996 for 7.62 km; or € 3,000/m

Rehabilitation cost hydraulic structures: See MCP under section 3.3

Investment costs of hydraulic structures

Building Swamp water level control structure

(ZPB of 1.5 to 2.5 m³/s) = € 180,000 – 240,000

Spillways (7 m³/s): € 600,000


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Rehabilitation costs of pumping stations

SML-Wageningen pumping station (9,700 ha + 1,430 ha command area):

(3 pumps of 10 m³/s each; o/w 1 is on standby)

Cost of rehabilitating the pumps: SRD 30,000 or € 7,320

Cost of rehabilitating the electro-technical part: SRD 2,000 or € 465

Total rehabilitation: € 7,785 or roughly € 1/ha command area

Investment costs of pumping stations

Clara pumping Station (4,400 ha command area o/w 3,500 ha are cultivated):

(3 pumps of 0.75 m³/s each; o/w 1 is on standby)

USD 700,000 + SRD 1,900,000 in 2005 which is € 600,000 + € 560,000 =

€ 1,160,000 (or € 331/ha farmed or € 264 /ha command area)

3.2 TOTAL COST OF REHABILITATING EXISTING RICE FARMS

According to previous chapters, 15,703 ha of existing rice farms would be rehabilitated over

the next 10 years. At a unit cost of € 800/ha rehabilitated, this rehabilitation represents

€ 12,500,000. This unit cost is computed by including two “investments” in MCP

infrastructure, more specifically raising the West dam of the CK and rehabilitating the NDW,

HA and IKUGH inlets. In order to avoid double counting, these costs are then not counted as

MCP investment cost.

3.3 INVESTMENTS IN MCP INFRASTRUCTURE

3.3.1 Prioritisation of rehabilitation works of MCP infrastructure

Rehabilitation and completion works on the main infrastructure of MCP can be prioritised as

follows:

1. Provide additional erosion protection downstream ZPB at km 33 and downstream the

spillways at km 27.5 and 52 (water level CK is well below design level).

2. Further excavate the Nanni Creek - Downstream the NDW (15 km to the Corantijn river)

to fully reach its capacity to discharge excess rainfall.

3. Rehabilitate the Corantijn Canal – West dam to design height (including freeboard) and

width to re-establish its discharge capacity.

4. Rehabilitate and overhaul the Wakay pumping station, including the 4th pump which will be

needed at peak demand and at all times as a backup.

5. Rehabilitate and complete the Corantijn Canal – East dam to design height and width, to

separate the Corantijn canal from the Nanni swamp.

6. Rehabilitate the NDW: the Nanni Spillway (to Nanni Creek) and Nanni Intake (to Van Wouw

Canal),

7. Rehabilitate the HA Intake (to HA canal),

8. Rehabilitate the IKUGH Intake (to a.o. „Lateraal‟ canal).


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Control the Northern Nanni swamp water level and discharge by (DOL-werken klein):

9. Rehabilitate the “Lekbeteugelingsdam” to design specifications (height of + 4.45 m and

crest width of at least 4 m),

10. Build the Maratakka spillway at the end of the Suriname Canal. Possibly a second spillway

halfway the Suriname Canal may also be required

11. Extend the East embankment of the CK up to the “Lekbeteugelingsdam”,

12. Remove the dam across the CK (before the NDW),

13. Build a new inlet for the Stondansi Canal (13.4 m³/s to provide HA, Euro and Hennar

polders with irrigation water)

14. Build a swamp water level control structure in the East dam (20 m³/s at NDW).

Other:

15. Clean the Nanni creek upstream to the east of the NDW into the swamp (25 km).

3.3.2 Further excavation of the Nanni-Creek Downstream the NDW

To excavate the Nanni creek downstream the spillway to a discharge capacity of 20 m³/s is

very important, in order to match the capacity of the spillway itself, and in the end to be able

to evacuate a design flood originating from the northern Nanni swamp. This is especially

important, if there are no funds yet to build one (or two) additional spillway(s) on the

Suriname canal (mainly the Maratakka spillway).

The peak drainage discharge capacity for the Northern Nanni Swamp is estimated at 26 m³/s

for a 20 yr recurring rainfall, and 41 m³/s for a 50 yr recurring rainfall. Spillway discharge

capacities have been designed to cope with a 20 year recurring flood event.

Flood water level on the bridge pillars reached an estimated 2 m above natural ground level;

floods were then damaging the rice crops: problems appeared to start after km 7 and to be

the most severe close to km 10 (and thereafter to the end). But salt water intrusion and

insecurity will be the negative impacts of reshaping the Nanni Creek.

The Nanni creek is now being cleaned and deepened by OW (in 05/2008) for a total cost of

€ 63,270 (14 km for SRD 274,000). This is a substantial move in the right direction, but

some more work may need to be planned to reach the security build into the design prepared

in 2006. This design resulted in a cost estimate of € 2,250,000 (without maintenance

contract): there was 50 m³/m to be excavated because of the extremely shallow slope.

Recommendation:

An EIA may have to be carried out before such an excavation of the Nanni creek is carried out

(with a consultation of all people living and/or working in the impacted areas). A new

topographic survey will need to be carried out before awarding a new contract (which at this

stage could be estimated to be in the order of € 2.000.000).


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Warning:

The 1980 drawings/designs have their 0,00 chainage starting at the Corantijn River,

whereas the 2006 design has its 0,00 chainage starting at Nanni Spillway.

The Nanni Weir, if set below 2.05 m NSP will be drowned when an exceptional tide is

occurring.

3.3.3 Rehabilitate the Corantijn Canal – West dam

Rehabilitate the Corantijn Canal – West dam to design height (including freeboard) and width

to re-establish its discharge capacity.

The Wakay pumping station and the CK cannot be used to capacity as long as its West dam is

not rehabilitated.

Recent experience confirmed the 2006 topographic survey that there are some very low

spot in the west dam of the CK (especially over the first 5 km, at km 11 and 52 and over the

last 6 km). The 2006 survey measured 3 levelling points on the West-dam at least every 2

km: the maximum fill required is 1.29 m and the minimum is 0.11 m over about half the length

of the CK. The top-width of the W-dam should be 15 m. This means that in average

approximately 4.5 m³/m will need to be filled, which would indicate a quantity of 280,000 m³

and a total cost of € 1,300,000; 25% of this amount would be required for the most urgent

locations.

Recommendation:

These rehabilitation works are urgently required to enhance the efficiency of the pumping (too

much pumped water returns to the Corantijn River). They need to be coordinated with the

planned road project between South drain and Wakay, so that the right sequence of fill

materials are selected from the start to suit the specifications of both the West dam and the

road project. Such coordination could provide substantial cost savings.

3.3.4 Rehabilitate and overhaul the Wakay pumping station35

Rehabilitate and overhaul the Wakay pumping station, including the 4th pump which will be

needed at peak demand and at all times as a backup.

The most recent developments on the following three contracts were not available to the

mission at the time of report writing:

Supply & Installation of parts for Diesel Engines,

The works include revision of four diesel engines with peripherals including fuel system and

starting system. The estimated costs are € 875,000.

35 Source: Uit te voeren werkzaamheden en budgetten renovatie Wakay pompstation (Bosman Water management International B.V., april

2008)


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Supply & Installation of Gearboxes and Pumps

Revision of the pumps, seals and valves. The estimated costs are € 860,000.

Works at Wakay Pumping Station & Premises and electrical works

All construction and electrical works (renovation pumping station, renovation water

installation, renovation electrical installation, renovation work shop, renovation tank park,

renovation landing place, renovation infra structure). The estimated costs are € 1,240,000.

3.3.5 Rehabilitation of the Corantijn Canal – East dam

Rehabilitate the Corantijn Canal – East dam to design height and width, to separate the

Corantijn canal from the Nanni swamp.

The rehabilitation works could be implemented in steps, with first a minimal option which would

raise only the lowest sections of the East dam to design level. Such phased approach will be

worthwhile; each of the phases could be written off over 25 years (standard for such an

investment).

The estimated cost of this contract is € 1,600,000. The lowest sections of the East dam

could as a first phase be brought to design for € 770,000.

3.3.6 Rehabilitate the NDW, the HA and IKUGH Intakes

The perspective of the construction of the “D.O.L.-Klein” works does not appear realistic for

the near future. It is therefore required to carry out rehabilitation works at the Nanni spillway

and intake and at the HA and IKUGH intakes. It is important that these distribution structures

can be fully operational and that movable parts (bulkheads, screens, …) can move and will be

moved at relevant moments.

The planned rehabilitation will provide benefits over a period that justifies these investments.

Rehabilitate the NDW: the Nanni Spillway (to Nanni Creek) and Nanni Intake (to Van Wouw

Canal).

Rehabilitate the HA Intake (to HA canal)

Rehabilitate the IKUGH Intake (to a.o. „Lateraal‟ canal).

The estimated cost of this contract would be € 840,000 (could be skipped if the “DOL-

werken klein” are carried out).

3.3.7 Completion of the DOL-werken klein

The construction of the “D.O.L.-Klein”; Phase I; alternative 3 (with new Stondansie inlet) is

aimed at controlling the Northern Nanni swamp water level and discharge. If these works are

funded sooner than expected, then the rehabilitation works of the Nanni, HA and IKUGH

intakes will not be required (see section 3.3.6 here above).

Infrastructure required by the “DOL-Klein” works; Phase I; alternative 3 (with new Stondansie

inlet) are detailed here below (from upstream to downstream):


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Rehabilitate the “Lekbeteugelingsdam” to design specifications (height of + 4.45 m NSP

and crest width between 5 and 8 m)

Build the Maratakka spillway at the end of the Suriname Canal (start spilling at 3.65 m;

discharge of 11 m³/s should be obtained at 3.90 m). Possibly a second spillway halfway

the Suriname Canal may be required (only as emergency spillway).

Extend the East embankment of the CK up to the “Lekbeteugelingsdam”,

Remove the dam across the CK (before the NDW)

Build a swamp water level control structure in the East dam at NDW. This is the Nanni

swamp control structure (ZPB-66); it will be used as spillway and for irrigating Van Wouw,

HA, Euro & Henar polders; 20 m³/s discharge capacity.

Build a new inlet for the Stondansi Canal (named: Nanni Inlet Stondansie Kanaal) for

irrigating HA, Euro & Henar polders; 13.4 m³/s discharge capacity.

Redesign an enlarged Stondansie kanaal: Freeboard to the North should be 1.15m; 13.4

m³/s discharge capacity.

Build Stondansie - Inlet HA (new): Scenario of new inlet on Stondansie; 2.5 m³/s

discharge capacity.

Build Stondansie - Tail Regulator to Henar polders; 11 m³/s discharge capacity.

Establish an all weather sand road from Nanni to IKUGH (5 m width; km 4.3 km)

The estimated cost of “DOL-Klein” works; Phase I; alternative 3 (with new Stondansie inlet)

are roughly estimated to be in the order of € 5 million (o/w € 1.4 million for bringing the

“Lekbeteugelings” dam to design specifications and building the Maratakka spillway).

3.3.8 Cleaning of the Nanni-Creek upstream the NDW

By cleaning a 25 km stretch of the Nanni creek upstream the NDW (up to the levees), the

Nanni creek will increasingly function as a water collector.

Recommendation:

The impact will be increased water availability during the dry season at the NDW, but there

will also be increased water levels and more sudden risk of flooding during the rainy periods.

The mission therefore recommends digging out this stretch of the Nanni creek only after the

“lekbeteugelingsdam” and all its structures are fully constructed/rehabilitated.

The cross section of the excavation should be computed to allow a discharge of approx 10

m³/s at dry season‟s water levels. The cost of cleaning and excavation is estimated to be in

the order of € 500,000.

3.3.9 Corantijn Canal: + 20 m³/s

Because of limitation of available fresh water resources on the Corantijn River, developing

additional pumping capacity on this river is not recommended.


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3.4 ACCESS ROAD TO THE AUTONOMOUS POLDERS ON THE LB OF THE N ICKERIE

RIVER

A 15 km access road should initially be build through the autonomous polders on the left bank

of the Nickerie River. It will give access to an area of approximately 20,000 ha of land

suitable for rice farming. If this road is left as a sand road, total cost will be in the order of

€ 1,000,000. If this access road would be surfaced with tiles or asphalt, its cost would be

in the order of € 3,000,000.

The construction of this road would facilitate the settlement of autonomous farmers who

intend to develop a rice farm.

3.5 OTHER ACCESS ROADS

Another 5 km of access roads (sand covered) may be planned where required for developing

the rice sector in the districts of Saramacca, Coronie or Nickerie. The total cost of this

would be € 330,000.

3.6 STONDANSIE DAM ON THE N ICKERIE R IVER OR MORE SUITABLE INFRASTRUCTURE

The Stondansie dam would be located at 240 km from the river mouth at the Stondansie

falls. It would be a concrete dam in the order of 10 m high.

The 10 year development plan of the rice sector proposed in section 2 here above does not

require new infrastructure on the Nickerie River. If the pace of growth of the rice sector in

Nickerie would be faster than expected, a feasibility study should then be carried out starting

from a comparative analysis of all relevant technical options. Environmental and maintenance

aspects should duly be taken into account. The most suitable option should be retained for

feasibility, detailed design, tendering for works and construction. A five year period should

be set aside before this whole process would be completed.


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4 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE IRRIGATION AND

DRAINAGE SYSTEMS

4.1 RESPONSIBILITIES OF INVOLVED ORGANISATIONS

4.1.1 Maintenance system

The new policy in Suriname is that WUAs are in charge of the operation and maintenance

(O&M) of the tertiary system, whereas the government (OW together with LVV and RO) are in

charge of the O&M of the main and secondary system.

MCP is a special case: the MCP (Multipurpose Corantijn Project) started in Suriname in the

1970s with the mandate to carry out a certain number of activities to improve the agricultural

production in Nickerie district, more in particular the rice-sector. One of these activities was

aimed at providing infrastructures for irrigating additional polders. The Surinamese component

of the “Support to the competitiveness of the rice sector in the Caribbean” project

supported the MCP for investment and rehabilitation works

4.1.2 Water user associations

There is a water user association legislation in Suriname which started as early as the

1930‟s. The law specifies that the WUAs depend from the “Districtscommissaris”, hence

from RO at district level.

Six WUAs (or “Inliggend Waterschap”) have been established in 2006-2007: for example,

the “Staatsblad van Suriname” n° 48 dated 26/04/2006 is enacting the bylaws of the

“Sawmillkreek polder” - WUA. Another WUA already established is the one for the Van

Drimmelen polder. An additional six WUAs have been established in December 2007. The

boards need to be elected.

WUA leaders and staff are elected. A map of each WUA needs to be produced (indicating

rights and obligations).

4.1.3 Overliggend waterschap

It is the governements‟ policy that these WUAs would in the future manage a federating

organisation named “Overliggend waterschap”.

There is the special case in Nickerie where the “Overliggend waterschap MCP” has already

evolved out of the MCP. This

planning drainage & irrigation for developing the rice...

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