ZINWA: Dam Levels Rise, Some Full To The Brim
Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) has reported that Zimbabwe’s major dams now hold 62 percent of their combined capacity, with some minor dams spilling.
Meanwhile, Tugwi-Mukosi Dam, the country’s largest interior water body is now over 70 percent full and well on its way to spilling for the first time.
ZINWA marketing and corporate communications officer, Mr Tsungirirai Shoriwa, Thursday said water levels had continued to rise owing to the rains being experienced in most parts of the country.
As of January 4, 2020, the national dam level average had risen to 62 percent. Gwayi Catchment had a dam level average of 75,7 percent, Manyame 59,7 percent, Mazowe 41.9 percent, Mzingwane 59.4 percent, Runde 62 percent, Sanyati 94.5 percent and Save 55.6 percent.
A good number of dams including Muzhwi, Marovanyati, Zhovhe, Ngwenya, Exchange, Lower Mgusa, Insukamini, Pollards, Tokwane, Nyadire, Silalabuhwa, Whitewaters, Sebakwe and Bangala are now full and spilling.
Mr Shoriwa also indicated that dams that still have low water levels include Harava under Manyame Catchment which is for water supply.
He said the dam is 6.7 percent full while Blockley dam for irrigation and water supply is 13.8 percent with Osborne dam under the Save catchment is 35 percent full.
Mzingwane Dam, which is for irrigation, is 20.7 percent.
Mr Shoriwa appealed to consumers across the board to use water sparingly.
The increase in dam levels points to improved water security for towns and cities as well as for irrigation for this year’s winter cropping season, although some minor dams remain less than half full.
Some stakeholders have often noted that although Zimbabwe is receiving rains enough to sustain its operations year-round, the country has poor water harvesting strategies.
They say water runs through the country as it flows to the Indian ocean and the country would be dry again in no time.
More: The Herald
