Assessing design practices and performances of irrigation schemes is the most important approach to sustain the hydraulic structures and improve the capacity of design. However, the design and performance of Ashar and Upper kuashini small-scale Irrigation schemes have not been assessed in their long time operation phase. This study aimed to assess the design practices and performance of the irrigation schemes using structural indicators, maintenance indicators, and stakeholders’ perceptions. Primary data, such as main canal water surface elevation, field survey data, soil sample, field observation, questionnaires, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions, and Secondary data like meteorological data and different literature were collected to conduct this study. Empirical equations, excel, and SPSS were used to analyze these data. Peak discharge was estimated to be 335.8m 3 /s by using the USSCS method using daily annual maximum rainfall of 31 years of Dangla, Injibara, and Wetet abay meteorological stations for the Ashar project site. The friction angle of soil and silt load at the Ashar weir site were found to be 21 o and 2.08KN respectively. Propagation of flow was found to be 102m in length in the upstream and 14m in the downstream direction for the Ashar diversion weir. Based on the result analysis of maintenance indicators, the main canal delivers 79.5% to the right and 82% to the left sides at Ashar and 85% at Upper kuashini diversion weirs in its design volume. In the effectiveness of infrastructures, 35% at Ashar and 36.7% at upper kuashini irrigation schemes of the initially constructed structures were mal- functional. The value of sustainability of the irrigated area was found to be 76.7% at Ashar and 80% at Upper kuashini irrigation schemes. The results of maintenance indicators revealed that the system requires a high level of maintenance. From the perception of the respondents, the major problems which decrease the sustainability of the irrigation schemes were water shortage, conflict among the irrigators, water theft, lack of ownership feeling by the beneficiaries, and lack of proper training. Generally, the performance of the irrigation systems is very poor. Therefore, minor repair to full re-engineering, capacity building training for stakeholders’, structured water user association, adequate maintenance, and awareness creation for users are crucial to improve the performance of the irrigation system. Keywords: Design practice, performance, maintenance indicators, Ashar, Upper kuashini, SSI scheme.