Lusaka, 3rd September 2021 – The Zambezi River Authority (the Authority) hereby updates 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 4th August 2021.
Lake Levels Recorded at Kariba Dam
The Lake’s level continues to recede steadily, closing the period under review at 481.55m on 1st September 2021. From the last update made on 4th August 2021 when the recorded lake level was 482.16m, it has receded by 0.61m. Currently, the lake level is 6.05 meters above the Minimum Operating Level (MOL) of 475.50m. The recorded level of 1st September 2021 translates to 28.16 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) or 43.45% of usable or live storage. Last year on the same date, the Lake level was lower at 480.48m with 22.94BCM or 35.40% of usable storage, with the water being only 4.98m above the Minimum Operating Level.
Water Allocation for Power Generation at Kariba Dam for the year 2021
The Authority has maintained the 42 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) combined water allocation for power generation operations at Kariba for 2021 after it was revised upward from 30 BCM on 25th June 2021. This decision is a result of the second quarter review of the hydrological outlook at Kariba that considered the normal to above normal rainfall performance and associated increased inflows into Lake Kariba. As of 31st August 2021, ZESCO Limited had utilised 17.35 BCM of its 21 BCM water allocation (83% utilisation), while the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) had utilised 15.72 BCM of its 21BCM water allocation (75% utilisation). This leaves a balance of 3.65 BCM and 5.28 BCM for ZESCO and ZPC, respectively, for utilisation during the remaining period of the year 2021.
The Authority is scheduled to undertake the next quarterly hydrological review at the end of September 2021, and this may result in either maintaining, increasing, or reducing the volume of water allocated for power generation operations at Kariba for the year 2021.
Water Allocation for Power Generation at Kariba Dam for 2022
The Annual meeting of regional weather experts, the Southern Africa Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF), took place from 30-31st August 2021 to discuss the rainfall outlook for the upcoming 2021/2022 rainfall season. SARCOF-25 and forecasts from the Meteorological Departments of the Republics of Zambia and Zimbabwe predict a normal to above normal rainfall outlook for the SADC Region. The Authority has accordingly scheduled hydrological simulations that will inform decisions on the water to be allocated for power generation operations at Kariba for the year 2022.
Monitoring of River Flows to Inform Reservoir Operations at Kariba Dam
Daily water level readings continue to be taken at the Authority’s 14 gauging stations situated 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
The Zambezi River flows recorded at Chavuma continued receding, which is expected during this time of the year owing to the end of the 2020/2021 rainfall season, closing the period under review at 154 cubic meters per second (m3/s) as recorded on 31st August 2021. On the same date last year, the flow was slightly higher at 161 m3/s. This recorded recession in river flows is expected to continue until the start of the 2021/2022 rainfall season.
Zambezi River Flows as Monitored at Victoria Falls Gauging Station
The Zambezi River flows at the world tourist destination, the Victoria Falls, are also receding owing to the close of the 2020/2021 rainfall season, closing the period under review at 482 m3/s as recorded on 31st August 2021, which is less than the 31st of August 2020 reading of 512m3/s. The recorded river flows are projected to also continue receding until the start of the 2021/2022 rainfall season.
The Authority will continue to undertake the usual hydrological reviews for sustaining the reservoir operations at Kariba.
About the Authority
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 I Cell: +(260) 779663323 I Email: pr@zambezira.org www.zambezira.org