Dams water level improves
Wlevels in major water reservoirs in Manicaland have improved, but just like in most parts of the country except Midlands, they are yet to be full to capacity.
However, medium to small dams in Manicaland are already full and spilling.
Major dams like Osborne Dam in Mutare District is still at 36,8 percent full even after the cyclone depression and heavy rains received in recent weeks, while small to medium water reservoirs such as Bangazaan in Chipinge District and Rusape Dam in Rusape are 100,6 and 72 percent full, respectively.
The trend in which small to medium dams are already full and spilling while major dams are yet to be filled has left the average current water level in Manicaland at 58,6 percent.
In a statement, Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA)’s corporate communications and marketing officer, Mr Tsungirai Shoriwa, said: “The current rains continue pushing water levels in the country’s major dams up. As of January 11, 2021, the national dam level average had risen to 67,1 percent, marking a 4,4 percent increase since January 4, 2021.
“The country has recorded a 27,71 percent increase in the national dam level average since the commencement of the current rain season at the beginning of October.
“In terms of provinces, Bulawayo Metropolitan Province has a dam level average of 96,2 percent. Bulawayo Metropolitan Province has Khami and Upper Mugusa dams. Harare Metropolitan Province (Seke and Harava Dams) 21,4 percent, Manicaland 58,6 percent, Mashonaland Central 41 percent, Mashonaland East 62,5 percent, Mashonaland West 63,5 percent, Masvingo 68 percent, Matabeleland North 69,4 percent, Matabeleland South 60,5 percent and the Midlands 102,10 percent.”
Mr Shoriwa said Marovanyati Dam in Buhera is among those already full and spilling simply because of the rains received upland in Chivhu and Nharira areas where Mwerahari River which feeds into Marovanyati Dam has its source.
“Sanyati Catchment has the highest dam level average at 104 percent, with almost every dam in the catchment now full and spilling. Gwayi Catchment has a dam level average of 80,3 percent, Manyame Catchment 60,7 percent, Mzingwane Catchment 65 percent, Runde Catchment 68,2 percent and Save Catchment 59,7 percent.
“Ngwenya, Lower Mgusa, Insukamini, Exchange, Pollards, Bangala, Woodlands, Tokwane, Muzhwi, Marovanyati, Sebakwe, Gwenoro, Whitewaters, Chikomba, Somalala, Munjanganja Zimunya, Bangazaan, Roswa, Nerutanga, Matezva and Odzani Dams are among the dams that are now full and spilling.
“However, it should be noted that some dams are not full because of rains received in the areas they are located. Moravanyati Dam, for example, is among those already full and spilling simply because of the rains received upland in Chivhu, Nharira areas where Mwerahari River, which feeds into Marovanyati Dam has its source,” he said.
Mr Shoriwa said the improvements in the dam levels point to better raw water security for the country’s urban areas and improved water security for the 2021 winter cropping season.
“The improvements in the dam levels point to better raw water security for the country’s urban areas and improved water security for the 2021 winter cropping season.
“Despite these increases, ZINWA reminds the nation that water remains a finite resource which needs to be conserved and efficiently used all the times.
“Raw water users drawing water from managed dams are advised ZINWA to ensure that such use is in terms of water abstraction agreements as specified in the Water Act,” he said.