Implications of water abstraction on the interconnected Central Rift Valley Lakes sub-basin of Ethiopia using WEAP

•Implications of water abstraction was evaluated over Central Rift Valley Lakes sub-basin.•Integrated approach (rainfall-runoff, CROPWAT and WEAP) using multisource data improve the water resources assessment.•The amount of water abstraction has substantial impact on the water balance of the lakes.•The presence of significant water abstraction impacts both lake level and volume.