Online Reporter
Violet Chenyika
WATER LEVELS in Lake Kariba have remained critically low, but are expected to rise from January next year due to increased rainfall activity, raising expectations of improved power generation in 2025, the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has said.
According to the ZRA, capacities for power generation at the dam are less than at the same time last year.
ZRA acting chief executive officer Mr Peter Kapinga said: “The water level in the Kariba reservoir stands at 476,02 metres above sea level, equating to 2,35 billion cubic metres (BCM) of stored usable water, or 3,64 percent of the reservoir’s live storage capacity designated for power generation.
“On the same date last year, the lake level was at 477,64 metres above sea level, corresponding to 9,63 BCM of stored usable water, or 14,86 percent of the live storage capacity for power generation.”
Lake Kariba is the world’s largest man-made reservoir by volume, as it is 280 kilometres (km) long and nearly 40km wide in some sections.
“In recent weeks, localised rainfall activities have started slowly impacting water levels in Lake Kariba. However, owing to the size of the lake, a significant amount of rainfall is needed to record a substantial increase in water levels that could warrant a corresponding noteworthy increase in power generation,” said Mr Kapinga.
The water levels are expected to increase between January and March 2025.
A review will be undertaken at the end of the first quarter of next year.
“It is anticipated that both the lower and upper Zambezi River catchment areas will experience normal to above-normal rainfall from January to March 2025, which could contribute to the recording of this gradual increase in water levels in the lake,” he added.
“The actual peak in the storage is expected to be recorded around June/July 2025, but could still be lower than previous peaks recorded under the lake’s historical records for past hydrological years.”
The ZRA is a statutory body that manages water in the Zambezi River on behalf of Zimbabwe and Zambia.
It is mandated to operate, monitor and maintain Kariba Dam and its reservoir.
