New rules for water discharges from Zambias Itezhi-tezhi dam are imitating the natural flooding patterns that existed before the dam was constructed.
This will help fish breeding patterns, wildlife feeding habits, and the social and economic activities of local people in the area — greatly contributing towards ecological recovery, food provision, poverty reduction, and sustainable economic development, reports the WWF International Newsletter for November.
The water management plan is the result of a tripartite partnership between Zambias Ministry of Energy and Water Development, Zambia Electricity Supply Company, and WWFs Partners for Wetlands programme.
Constructed in 1978 for electricity production, the Itezhi-tezhi dam was disrupting the natural flooding pattern of the Kafue Flats — a wetland in central Zambia that once teemed with wildlife.
The Kafue Flats are part of the Zambezi River Basin, covering an area of about 6.500 square kilometres. The flats are recognised as a major wetland resource both in ecological terms, with rare and endemic species, and in socio-economic terms as they support local industries such as floodplain agriculture, dry season cattle grazing and traditional fisheries. It is estimated that about 700.000 people live in, or in the vicinity of, the Kafue Flats.
The areas natural water regime was radically changed after the construction of two dams in 1969 and 1976. First, downstream from the wetlands, a hydropower plant was built in the Kafue Gorge.
This installation supplies approximately 40 per cent of Zambia’s electricity needs. Because of the geography of the Kafue Flats a second dam was needed upstream to ensure a steady supply of river water and the Itezhi-tezhi storage dam was built 250 km upstream.
As a result of the construction of the two dams, the natural flood patterns in the Kafue flats were replaced by a stable river level throughout the year.
The change in the water regime contributed to the decline of many species in the area. The number of Kafue lechwe, a type of antelope endemic to the Kafue Flats, decreased to a third of its original 1970 population of 100,000 and elephants, rhinoceroses, giraffes and wild dogs have disappeared from the area entirely.
The decline has been exacerbated by increased poaching in the wetlands. Lower fishery yields and reduced availability of grazing land as a result of the altered flooding regime have also affected communities.
The new operational rules for the Itezhi-tezhi Dam were launched in May 2004 and are expected to provide major benefits for wildlife and local people.
