Sydney Kawadza Chinhoyi Bureau
The mid-summer dry spell sweeping across Zimbabwe since the beginning of the year has led to a marginal 0,58 percent decline in the country’s average dam levels to 67 percent since January 15.

According to the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) spokesperson Mrs Marjorie Munyonga, the Manyame Catchment, which supplies most major dams in Mashonaland West Province, remained with the highest average dam level at 87,5 percent.

Lake Chivero, which is used for water supplies and irrigation purposes, is at 76,1 percent, while Manyame Dam is at 89,2 percent. Mazvikadei Dam, which supplies water to major mining and irrigation activities, is at 92,6 percent. Biri Dam and Karoi Dam (Mashonaland West) are at 90,7 and 56,7 percent, respectively.

“While the dams have not gained since the beginning of the rainy season, most of the dams still have sufficient water to meet the country’s domestic and irrigation needs,” said Mrs Munyonga.

“Almost all the dams supplying water to towns and cities satisfy the 21 month rule, meaning they can carry the towns to the next rainy season.” Mazowe Catchment at 85,9 percent and Mzingwane Catchment at 80,4 percent are the second-highest average dam levels after Manyame.

“Gwayi Catchment’s dam level average is 64,1 percent, Save 76,7 percent, Sanyati 75,9 percent and Runde 53,4 percent,” said Mrs Munyonga. Mazowe Dam, which supplies irrigation water, is currently at 87,7 percent, Nyambuya Dam (irrigation and water supply) is at 100 percent, while Kushinga-Phikelela (Irrigation and Water Supply) is at 98,4 and Kotwa, used for water supplies, is at 40,2 percent.

In the Runde Catchment area, Tokwe Mukosi Dam, which supplies irrigation water, is at 58,1 percent, Tokwane (70,1 percent), Bangala (15,4 percent) and Manjirenji (75,1 percent). All the above dams supply water for irrigation purposes. Lake Mutirikwi, which supplies water to the City of Masvingo and for irrigation purposes, is at 38,3 percent.

In the Mzingwane Catchment, Lower Ncema Dam is at 66,7 percent and Mzingwane Dam (irrigation and water supply) is 99 percent full. Upper Ncema (water supplies) and Zhovhe (irrigation) in the same catchment area are 64,5 percent and 91 percent full, respectively. Bubi-Lupane Dam, which supplies irrigation and water provisions in the Gwayi Catchment, is at 76,1 percent.

Exchange Dam is at 59,2 percent, Khami Dam (86,5 percent) and Insukamini Dam (70,3 percent). In the Sanyati Catchment area, Sebakwe Dam is at 77 percent, Claw Dam (78,2 percent), Chibero Dam (100 percent) and Clifton at 61,7 percent. Dams in the Save Catchment areas are between 50 percent and 96 percent full.

Osborne Dam, which supplies irrigation water, is at 77,5 percent, Wenimbi Dam — a major source of water for Marondera — is 94,4 percent. Ruti Dam and Siya Dam are at 50 percent and 96,2 percent, respectively. Mrs Munyonga urged water users to use the available water efficiently and sparingly.