adminKadungure Samuel Farming Reporter
WATER level at Osborne Dam – the largest water reservoir in Manicaland – has hit an all time low of 33 percent and will not last up to 2017 if the current dry spell persists.
The current season has drastically changed and characterised by limited and truant rain and this has seen water levels in the Save Catchment declining drastically with Osborne Dam being the major casualty.
The Save Catchment is reeling under the current harsh weather vagaries that have left it with an average of 47, 6 percent at a time the dams were supposed to be nearing full capacities.
The Save Catchment’s current water level adds to 379 613 out of the full supply capacity of 789 000 mega litres.
An update released on Wednesday by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) shows that Osborne has only 33 percent water left.
Presently, the dam has a storage of 132 898 out of full supply capacity of 401 620mgl.
In June 2015, Obsorne Dam was at 57,9 percent full which transcended to 232 585mgl, which means that the dam lost nearly 100 000mgl of water in the last six months.
Much of the water was lost through leakages.
Its hydraulic gate valve system needs overhauling, following the jamming of some outlet valves while releasing water. The water is periodically released for the benefit of downstream commercial farming activities with major beneficiaries being sugarcane estates in the Lowveld.
The dams operate as a system, and if the situation at Osborne Dam becomes unsustainable, water can be drawn from Siya Dam (Bikita), Ruti Dam (Buhera), Mpudzi Dam, Odzani Dam, Small Bridge Dam and Rusape Dam.
Zinwa said it was keeping an eye on Rusape Dam, Odzani and Small Bridge dams which supply water to Rusape and Mutare.
Zinwa revealed that Odzani Dam was 43 percent with a present storage of 2, 986 out of the full supply capacity of 6, 422mgl.
Smallbridge Dam is 59 percent full with a current storage of 8, 671 out of the full supply capacity of 14, 785mgl.
Rusape Dam is 69 percent full with a current storage of 47, 444 out of its full supply capacity of 68 000mgl.
Ruti Dam, which is the major source of water in the dry Buhera District, is 68 percent full with the current storage of 89, 394 out of the full capacity supply of 152 308mgl.
Munjanganja Dam is at 36 percent with a current storage of 0, 739 out of a full supply capacity of 1, 969mgl.
Siya Dam in Bikita is 65 percent full with a current storage of 69, 602 out of a full supply capacity of 105, 455mgl.
Bangazaan Dam is 73 percent full. It presently has 2, 081 out of a full supply capacity of 2, 825mgl.
Wenimbi Dam in Mashonaland East is 82 percent full. It currently has 18, 239 out of 21, 932mgl. Mashoko Dam is at 48 percent with 0, 732 out of 1, 512mgl. Mupudzi Dam is at 53 percent with 6, 597 out of a full supply capacity of 12, 146mgl.
Water experts said the situation within Save Catchment was worrisome as the dwindling levels may inhabit progress at some irrigation schemes.
This puts prospects of the winter crop at most irrigation schemes in danger.
Zinwa has in the past issued orders barring winter cropping to conserve the little available water for environmental purposes.
Online Reporter