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River Flows

The hydrometric network used for the control and day to day operations of the Kariba reservoir comprise of thirteen stations where water levels are monitored daily. Flow measurements are carried out at eight of these stations which include the Victoria Falls, one of the key stations on the Zambezi River. Coincidentally, the maximum flow recorded at Victoria Falls was during the early construction phase of Kariba Dam in March 1958 at 10,000 cubic metres per second.  The lowest flows recorded to date at Victoria Falls were during the 1995/96 season which had an annual mean flow of 390 cubic metres per second, whereas the Long Term Mean Annual flow at Victoria Falls is 1,100 cubic metres per second.

FLOWS AT SELECTED STATIONS:

Chavuma

The Zambezi River flows at Chavuma are increasing steadily again, closing the period under review at 3,113m3/s as of 7th April 2026, whilst last year on the same date it was at 3,312m3/s.

From:
25 March 2026
To:
7 April 2026
DateFlow (m3/s)(2024/25)Flow (m3/s)(2023/24)
25-Mar2,8642,731
26-Mar2,7682,697
27-Mar2,8462,632
28-Mar2,9132,584
29-Mar2,9292,570
30-Mar2,9222,554
31-Mar3,0172,548
1-Apr3,0542,607
2-Apr3,0222,696
3-Apr2,9782,796
4-Apr2,9622,964
5-Apr2,9573,010
6-Apr3,0443,106
7-Apr3,1133,312

Ngonye

Flows at Ngonye are steadily decreasing, closing the period under review at 4,009m3/s as of 7th April 2026. The flow recorded last year on the same date was lower at 2,337m3/s.

From:
25 March 2026
To:
7 April 2026
DateFlow (m3/s)(2024/25)Flow (m3/s)(2023/24)
25-Mar4,2532,237
26-Mar4,2342,239
27-Mar4,2262,246
28-Mar4,2232,257
29-Mar4,2012,261
30-Mar4,1992,261
31-Mar4,1822,263
1-Apr4,1792,268
2-Apr4,1522,268
3-Apr4,1392,281
4-Apr4,1172,283
5-Apr4,1122,299
6-Apr4,0602,324
7-Apr4,0092,337

Victoria Falls (Nana’s Farm Station)

The Zambezi River flows at Victoria Falls – Nana’s Farm Station are increasing as rainfall season progresses, with fluctuations being observed in the flows, closing the period under review at 4,136m3/s as of 7th April 2026.  The flow observed on the same date last year was lower at 1,983m3/s.

From:
25 March 2026
To:
7 April 2026
DateFlow (m3/s)(2024/25)Flow (m3/s)(2023/24)
25-Mar4,1521,325
26-Mar4,1651,385
27-Mar4,1871,447
28-Mar4,1921,519
29-Mar4,2001,586
30-Mar4,2061,647
31-Mar4,1951,718
1-Apr4,2001,776
2-Apr4,1601,822
3-Apr4,1311,872
4-Apr4,1041,909
5-Apr4,1151,946
6-Apr4,1331,967
7-Apr4,1361,983