Water stress is the most dominant challenge in drylands which lowers crop production andrnyield, and increases their susceptibility to land degradation and climate change. Due tornthis, effective techniques of water harvesting, and water development and conservationrntechniques are much needed. This study assessed the effects of water-spreading weirs, arnwater harvesting technique introduced in Chifra Woreda in 2015. Household survey andrnfocus group discussions were used to collect data from 188 beneficiary and nonbeneficiary households. The weirs increased water availability, and maize yield 3 timesrnhigher than sampled non-beneficiaries, almost double than that of the regional average,rn1.5 times than the national average. Weirs also increased livestock ownership and reducedrnnumber of livestock deaths among beneficiaries as a result of increased water and feedrnavailability. Weirs also rehabilitated previously severely eroded land which had 4-5 metersrndeep gullies. Their contribution toward food security was assessed using a HFIAS, a foodrninsecurity indicator. It was found that the average beneficiary had a score of 2.58, whilernthe average non-beneficiary had a score of 15.37 making beneficiaries much less foodrninsecure. Therefore, water-spreading weirs have significantly improved food security andrncontributed to environmental rehabilitation in Chifra Woreda. Scaling up the projectrnfurther along the flooding plain and in other woredas affected by flashfloods isrnrecommended. Trainings on how to best maintain the weirs should also be given to thernlocal community to ensure their sustainability in the woreda.