Lusaka, 7th June 2021 – The Zambezi River Authority (the Authority) hereby wishes to provide an update to the public regarding the water situation in the Kariba Catchment and lake levels at Kariba Dam. This update is a follow up to that of 3rd March 2021.
Lake Levels Recorded at Kariba Dam
The Lake levels continued to rise reaching a peak of 482.83m on 4th June 2021 and maintained this level for three days before dropping to 482.82 on 7th June 2021, giving a net rise of 1.94m since the last update of 3rd March 2021. This has placed the lake level at 7.32 meters above the Minimum Operating Level (MOL) of 475.50m. The latest record translates to 34.53 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) or 53.28% of usable or live storage. Last year on the same date, the Lake level was lower at 481.06m with 25.77BCM or 39.77% of usable storage.
As the total outflows – made up of generation outflows plus evaporation – begin to exceed inflows, the lake level is expected to continue receding throughout the remainder of the 2021 dry season.
Water Allocation for Power Generation at Kariba Dam
The Authority has maintained the 30 BCM water allocation level for power generation operations at Kariba for the year 2021. Any adjustments to this allocation will be communicated accordingly.
Monitoring of River Flows to Inform Reservoir Operations at Kariba Dam
Daily water level readings continue to be taken at the 14 gauging stations located across the Kariba Catchment area. Of these stations, Chavuma and Victoria Falls remain critical for monitoring of inflows into Lake Kariba. The recorded hydrological data is paramount in informing reservoir operations at Kariba Dam.
Zambezi River Flows as Monitored at Chavuma Gauging Station
Zambezi River flows at Chavuma have continued decreasing post the 2020/2021 rainfall season, closing the period under review at 540 cubic meters per second (m3/s) on 7th June 2021. On the same date last year, the flow was slightly higher at 577m3/s. The current recession in flows at this time of the year is a normal annual trend resulting from the end of the rainfall season.
Zambezi River Flows as Monitored at Victoria Falls Gauging Station
The Zambezi River flows at Victoria Falls are similarly receding, closing the period under review at 2,097 m3/s on 7th June 2021, a lower reading compared to 2,632 m3/s recorded on the same date last year. The readings, however, are within the acceptable range for this time of the year.
The Authority will continue to monitor the hydrological situation of the Kariba Catchment and manage the Kariba Reservoir to ensure continued availability of water for power generation operations.
The Zambezi River Authority is a Bi-National organization mandated to contribute to the economic, industrial and social development of the Republics of Zambia and Zimbabwe by obtaining the greatest possible benefits from the natural advantages offered by the waters of the Zambezi River (between Zambia and Zimbabwe) through the most economical and effective means of providing water for generation of electricity and for other purposes which the Contracting States may decide upon.
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ENG. MUNYARADZI. C. MUNODAWAFA
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
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Issued by:
Selusiwe Y. Sibanda
Manager - Public Relations and Communications
Lusaka,Zambia
Cell: +(260) 779663323