Source: Dams record significant inflows as rains persist – herald
Patience Maturure
Agriculture Reporter
MAJOR dams have seen a significant increase in water levels, rising to an average of 73 percent as of December 1.
In a statement yesterday, Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) head of corporate communications and marketing Mrs Marjorie Munyonga said the increase in water levels represented a 0,47 percent increase since November 24.
“Water levels in the country’s major dams have started rising due to the current wet spell being experienced in most parts of the country,” she said.
“Some of the dams to record increases include Lake Chivero, Insukamini, Antelope, Exchange, Mzingwane, Magudu, Mtshabezi, Ingwizi, Tugwane and Muzhwi.”
Mrs Munyonga said despite the high dam levels, ZINWA continues to encourage water users that water remains a finite resource that requires efficient and sustainable use.
“The Authority also appeals to all users who intend to draw water from national dams to come forward and sign water abstraction agreements with ZINWA so that their water allocations can be reserved in the dams.”
Using water without a valid abstraction agreement is against the law and hampers effective water resource planning and management.
Zinwa will continue monitoring illegal water abstractions along river channels.
Statistics reveal varying capacities of key dams with Bubi-Lupane Dam at 70,2 percent, Ngwenya Dam at 50,1 percent, Insukamini Dam 67,3 percent, Pollards Dam at 91,4 percent, Khami Dam is 81,1 percent and Exchange Dam at 43,1 percent.
In the Manyame catchment area, dam levels are as follows; Chivero Dam is 53,4 percent, Manyame Dam 73,4 percent, Harava Dam 18,9 percent, Biri Dam 72,4 percent, Mazvikadei Dam 63,3 percent and Seke Dam 26,8 percent.
The Mazowe catchment’s dam levels for irrigation and water supply are as follows: Mazowe Dam is 10 percent full, Kushinga-Phikhelela Dam 27,4 percent, Masembura Dam 84,7 percent, Arcadia Dam 85,4 percent and Mwenje Dam 3,7 percent.
The Mzingwane catchment’s dam levels are as follows: Mtshabezi Dam 80 percent, Zhovhe Dam 80,3 percent, Mzingwane Dam 24,1 percent, Silalabuhwa Dam 88,9 percent, Manyuchi Dam 89,2 percent, Upper Ncema Dam 29,8 percent, Lower Ncema Dam 28,8, Insiza Dam 40,8 percent and Antelope Dam 79,7 percent.
The Runde catchment’s dam levels are as follows: Tugwi-Mukosi Dam and Muzhwi Dam are 95,1 percent, Bangala Dam 30 percent, Manjirenji Dam 58,3 percent, Mutirikwi Dam 83,7 percent, Mushandike Dam 66,5 percent, Gwenoro Dam is 71,1 percent and Amapongokwe Dam 79,2 percent.
In the Sanyati catchment, dam levels are: Whitewaters Dam 71,3 percent, Mamina Dam 43,1 percent, Claw Dam 80,9 percent and Sebakwe Dam 32,2 percent.
The Save catchment’s dam levels are Osborne Dam at 62 percent; Marovanyati Dam 75,8 percent; Muchekeranwa Dam 49,3 percent; Ruti Dam 46,8 percent; Siya Dam 69,7 percent and Rusape Dam 50,8 percent.
All the dams are serving multiple purposes including water supply, irrigation and mining.
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