Kariba Sees Water Level Recovery Signs

Rutendo Mazhindu- Zim Now Reporter

Water levels in Lake Kariba and river flows along the Zambezi have risen over the past week, signalling positive developments for the region’s water supply and electricity generation. The increases are attributed to improved inflows from seasonal rains upstream.

As of 29 April 2025, Lake Kariba’s water level stood at 477.51 metres — slightly higher than the 477.44 metres recorded on the same date last year. Usable storage rose to 13.95%, up from 13.45% in 2024. The trend over the review period has been steadily upward, from 477.39 metres on 23 April, to 477.43 metres on 25 April, and finally 477.51 metres by month’s end.

Although the reservoir remains far below mid-capacity, the gains have brought some relief to authorities overseeing hydropower production and water resource management.

River flow volumes at key points along the Zambezi also saw significant increases.

At Chavuma, flow volumes surged to 3,065 cubic metres per second (m³/s) on 29 April — more than three times the 916 m³/s recorded on the same day in 2024. Flows had risen from 2,610 m³/s on 23 April and 2,597 m³/s on 25 April.

Ngonye Falls recorded a similar trend, reaching 2,970 m³/s on 29 April, compared to just 834 m³/s last year.

Further downstream, Victoria Falls’ Nana’s Farm station registered flows of 2,498 m³/s on 29 April, up from 2,352 m³/s on 23 April — and a substantial increase from 711 m³/s recorded on the same date in 2024.

Current flows are now well above the long-term average of 1,100 m³/s for Victoria Falls. However, they remain far below historical highs such as the 10,000 m³/s peak observed in March 1958. By contrast, the lowest recorded flow was just 390 m³/s during the 1995/96 drought.

While the recent rise in water levels is encouraging, experts caution that sustained inflows are still required for Lake Kariba to fully recover its power generation capacity.