Statement on the state of major dams

ZIMBABWE NATIONAL WATER AUTHORITY

PRESS STATEMENT

DAM LEVELS UPDATE

JULY 16, 2020

Water levels in the country’s dams remain on a downward trend as winter cropping reaches its peak and as some major rivers have stopped flowing. The national dam level average has dropped to below 50% being at 46, 4% as at July 13, 2020. This national dam level average is way below the 68, 8% normally expected during this time of the year. Gwayi Catchment had a dam level average of 40, 4%, Mzingwane Catchment 41, 7%, Runde Catchment 39, 1% and Sanyati Catchment 36, 9%. Manyame, Mazowe and Catchments are the catchments currently with a dam level average above 50% at 68%, 69, 8% and 54, 2% respectively. Largely below normal rains received in the previous season and ongoing draw downs by local authorities and other raw water users also explain the depressed dam levels.

Flows in major rivers have significantly declined with no flows in Runde, Gwayi and Mzingwane Rivers. In cases where flows are still ongoing, the same are quite below the flows expected in the same rivers during this time of the year.

Midlands, Matabeleland North and Harare are the provinces mostly affected by the current water situation and expected to face severe water stress.

ZINWA and other agencies working in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector (WASH) are already on the ground instituting drought response measures to mitigate the impact of the water situation and these include borehole drilling and borehole rehabilitation.

In view of the depressed dam levels, ZINWA appeals to water users across the board to use the available water efficiently and sparingly. Anyone intending to use raw water for purposes other than primary purpose from ZINWA owned or managed dams are required to approach their respective service centres and enter into water abstraction agreements as required by the Water Act. The same should apply to those already using raw water but without the relevant agreements.

Summary of major dams as at July 13, 2020

Dam	Catchment	Purpose	%full
Bubi-Lupane	Gwayi	Water Supply and Irrigation	41, 4
Ngwenya	Gwayi	Irrigation and Water Supply	61, 8
Insukamini	Gwayi	Irrigation and Water Supply	21, 4
Lower Mgusa	Gwayi	Irrigation	57, 2
Pollards	Gwayi	Irrigation and Water Supply	57, 2
Exchange	Gwayi	Irrigation and Water Supply	42, 9
Chivero	Manyame	Irrigation and Water Supply	55, 3
Manyame	Manyame	Water Supply and Irrigation	65, 2
Harava	Manyame	Water Supply	7, 2
Mazvikadei	Manyame	Irrigation and Mining	70, 6
Blockley	Manyame	Irrigation and Water Supply	33, 2
Karoi	Manyame	Water Supply and Irrigation	24, 6
Mazowe	Mazowe	Irrigation	21, 7
Kushinga-Phikhelela	Mazowe	Irrigation and Water Supply	86, 2
Masembura	Mazowe	Irrigation	100
Rufaro	Mazowe	Irrigation	100
Mtshabezi	Mzingwane	Irrigation and Water Supply	39, 1
Mzingwane	Mzingwane	Irrigation and Water Supply	2, 3
Upper Ncema	Mzingwane	Water Supply	0, 7
Lower Ncema	Mzingwane	Water Supply	1, 6
Zhovhe	Mzingwane	Irrigation	65, 7
Silalabuhwa	Mzingwane	Irrigation	67, 2
Inyankuni	Mzingwane	Water Supply	40, 9
Tugwi-Mukosi	Runde	Irrigation	39
Bangala	Runde	Irrigation	29, 2
Manjirenji	Runde	Irrigation	54, 7
Mutirikwi	Runde	Water Supply and Irrigation	34
Muzhwi	Runde	Irrigation and Mining	32
Gwenoro	Runde	Irrigation and Water Supply	26, 7
Sebakwe	Sanyati	Water Supply and Irrigation	29, 8
Claw	Sanyati	Irrigation and Water Supply	54, 9
Whitewaters	Sanyati	Water Supply	24, 1
Osborne	Save	Irrigation	42, 5
Siya	Save	Irrigation	73, 4
Wenimbi	Save	Water Supply and Irrigation	51, 4

MRS MARJORIE MUNYONGA

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING MANAGER