• Source: Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project

The Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project (MZWP) is an ambitious project being undertaken in the arid Matabeleland North province of Zimbabwe.The project seeks to end the perennial water shortages bedevilling Zimbabwe's second city of Bulawayo by bringing water from the mighty Zambezi river to the city.




The project


The project can be classified as a major project. It is expected to cost US$600 million which is a huge investment by African standards. The project will consist of three phases as follows:

Phase one: Gwayi-Shangani Dam
Phase two: Gwayi-Shangani Dam to Bulawayo Pipeline
Phase three: Gwayi-Shangani Dam to Zambezi River Pipelne




Phase one: Gwayi-Shangani Dam


The Gwayi-Shangani dam is the first phase of the MZWP and is the core of the project. Commenced in September 2004, it is expected to provide a reservoir for this project. The dam will be located about 6 km downstream of the confluence of the Gwayi River and Shangani River.




= Dam type and description

=
Type: It is a roller-compacted concrete gravity dam, which means it is a dam relying on its weight for stability.
Dimensions
Length: 305 metres from one mountain to the other.
Width: 60 metres at the base.
Height: 70 metres maximum.
Bridge: Dam will have a bridge at the top of width 8 m.
Depth and capacity
Maximum water depth: 59 metres, 11 metres freeboard.
Capacity: 634 million m³
10% Yield: 210 million m³
Materials used and quantities
Concrete: 300,000 m³
Quarry: 400,000 m³
Cement/water ratio: 0.55
Fly ash/cement ratio: 7:3
Concrete grades: dental 20, other 25.




Phase two: Gwayi-Shangani Dam to Bulawayo Pipeline


The envisaged pipeline will be 260 km. Construction of the pipeline is scheduled to be completed in 2022. In April 2021, the Government of Zimbabwe floated a tender for the construction of the pipeline.




References






Further reading


"Government floats Shangani Pipeline Tender"The Sunday Mail
"Mugabe to sign US$600m Zambezi Water Project deal" NewZimbabwe.com
"Chefs in fresh land grab orgy in Mat North" Financial Gazette
"Water conservation - Bulawayo" Sokwanele
"Water and the Potential for Resource Conflicts in Southern Africa" Archived 2008-07-25 at the Wayback Machine

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project
• Matabeleland
• Samuel Sipepa Nkomo
• Zambezi Watercourse Commission
• Bulawayo
• Dumiso Dabengwa
• Zimbabwe
• Company rule in Rhodesia
• Geography of Zimbabwe
• Victoria Falls