Resurrection of Lake Haramaya and the Watershed Management Challenges in the Face of Climate Change, Eastern Hararghe Highlands, Ethiopia

Lakes in tropical highlands are susceptible to climatic variability and catchment land-use dynamics. This study assesses the trajectory and recent resurrection of Lake Haramaya (Eastern Hararghe Highlands) between 2001 and 2020, links lake surface dynamics to climatic trends and watershed interventions. It identifies current watershed management challenges and opportunities for sustaining the restored lake. We combined Landsat-derived surface-water mapping (Landsat-7 ETM+ and Landsat-8 OLI/TIRS, 30 m), LULC classification (supervised Maximum Likelihood Classification), MNDWI-based water extraction, 2001–2020 meteorological records (Haramaya and Beda stations), and qualitative field data (FGDs, KIIs, observations). Results show large temporal variability: lake surface was estimated at ~549 ha (2001), declined to ~3 ha (2018), then rebounded to ~545 ha (2020), a near full recovery over two decades. Trend analyses indicate increasing interannual variability and a positive slope in both rainfall and mean annual temperature in the catchment (2001–2020). The lake comeback was associated with above-average rainfall episodes and widespread watershed soil and water conservation, but persistent threats remain: population pressure and over extraction, waste dumping, incomplete policy and institutional arrangements, limited community adoption, and livelihood pressures. We recommend integrated watershed management combining conservation, governance, and community-based approaches to ensure sustainability.