After more than 14 years in disrepair, the Uvenja Weir in Dusun II, Limboro Village, Donggala Regency, Central Sulawesi Province, is now fully functional again. The revitalization was successfully carried out through a collaborative effort by Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) Community Service Program (KKN-PPM) students as part of initiatives aimed at strengthening food security.
Addien Sukmo Nugroho, the project coordinator, explained that the damage to the Uvenja Weir occurred after a major flood struck the area in 2011, leaving farmers without sufficient irrigation water for 28 hectares of rice fields.
Despite temporary efforts by local residents to build makeshift water barriers, water distribution remained unstable, irrigation channels were clogged with sediment, and many parts of the irrigation network suffered damage.
The situation worsened following another flash flood on Jul. 7, 2025, which swept away all temporary structures and damaged the foundation of the weir, completely cutting off water flow.
“The absence of a permanent irrigation system not only threatened agricultural yields but also jeopardized the overall sustainability of the village’s economy,” Nugroho said in an interview on Tuesday (Sep. 30).
To address the damage, the 2025 KKN-PPM UGM Bulava Donggala team, which carried the theme Blue Economy as a Catalyst for Sustainable Community Empowerment and Marine Tourism Development through a Circular Economy Model, made the revitalization of the weir its main program.
“This weir was rebuilt using gabion and river stone masonry as a short-term measure,” he explained.
The gabion weir structure was designed for a service life of five years, consisting of three vertical segments with a total height of 3 meters, a width of 3 meters, and a length of 20 meters, resulting in a construction volume of 144 cubic meters.
“A total of 144 gabion blocks were provided by the Palu River Basin Agency (Balai Wilayah Sungai/BWS). Each gabion was filled with crushed stone and layered with geotextile to enhance impermeability,” Nugroho said.
Construction of the Uvenja Weir began on Jul. 27, 2025, and was completed on Aug. 1, 2025. The project involved active participation from the villagers of Limboro, including farmers and hamlet leaders. Heavy equipment, such as excavators, was used during the first four days to speed up foundation work.
“The weir was designed with a five-year service life as a quick solution to meet urgent community needs. Construction was carried out with a responsive and efficient approach. In the future, a more adequate and permanent weir is planned to ensure the sustainability of irrigation in Limboro Village,” Nugroho added.
As part of the long-term plan, the KKN-PPM UGM Bulava Donggala team also proposed a design for a permanent weir. The design features a 20-meter-wide ogee-type spillway, a stilling basin, and a sediment trap system.
This proposal is intended for submission by the Limboro Village Government to the Donggala Regency Public Works Office, to secure funding under the national program as outlined in Presidential Instruction No. 2 of 2025.
With the Uvenja Weir now back in operation, Limboro residents have access to a stable water supply, which directly supports food security, strengthens farmers’ livelihoods, and fosters sustainable community welfare.
“This project is not only about rebuilding physical infrastructure but also about restoring hope and revitalizing the local economy,” said Limboro Village Head, Mohammad Kifli.
Kifli expressed his appreciation and gratitude, noting that the weir revitalization has brought significant changes to the village, provided tangible benefits for the community, and renewed opportunities for farmers to cultivate rice in their fields.
Reporters: Azlan Al-Isyraq/Annisa Fitriana
Author: Lintang Andwyna
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographs: KKN-PPM UGM Bulava Donggala Team