Whenever someone mentions Lake Kariba, the first thought that most people have is associated with some form of recreational activity that they fell in love with on their first visit. With hotels, lodges, houseboats and fishing camps there is something for everyone. The main recreational activity is undoubtedly the fishing and more specifically the hunt for the Tiger FiHowever the lake came about not for recreation but first and foremost as a means to generate hydro electric power. The water of Lake Kariba has over the years been harnessed to generate hydro electrical power and in doing so lessened the country’s need to import power. Over the years the water levels were expertly managed and not to rely to heavily on imports but also keeping in mind the delicate ecological balance.
Under the current economic conditions however, the acute shortages of foreign currency has meant that the taps have been left on and not even this season’s prolific rainfall can stop the tide from going out. Feedback from a client who had come off a houseboat recently reiterated this as he commented on how low the water was, adding ‘I have never seen the water that low’. Zimbabwe’s embattled electricity authorities are almost solely reliant on this electricity supply (now more than ever with South Africa’s Eskom implying in the press that they were looking to decrease exports to support South Africa’s booming economy) and one wonders if the water level will drop lower than the turbine intake in the wall?
The lowest level it has been this year is 477.70 metres. The current Lake level is 478.01metres. on the 5th of February it was 477.99metres. These stats show that it has marginally risen in a few days. The water level in Kariba should be at it’s highest now as it is in the middle of the rainy season.
Low water levels also spell trouble for the recreational side of Kariba. Fossilised trees that were never a problem for boats before now become dangerous. As the water retreats the sand banks also come up and sometimes even blocking access to certain popular spots on the lake. Islands have become part of the main land and game roams freely on to the island that they were previously denied access to. Even the fish don’t like the fluctuating levels and go off the bite frustrating fisherman.
Understandably authorities have no alternative and given the choice between maintaining water levels or sustaining what little is left of the once thriving economy it is no surprise they have opted for the latter. One can only hope that the continued efforts of Parks and Wildlife, safari operators and hoteliers who have the lake’s best interests at heart do not go in vain and the exploitation of the lake’s resources come to an end.
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