Multinational - Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project

The Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project involves the rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam infrastructure by reshaping the plunge pool and rehabilitating the spillway. The Plunge Pool will be reshaped in order to dissipate energy from the spilled water thereby reducing the energy on impact and hence bedrock erosion which could undermine the dam foundations, leading to dam failure. The project will rehabilitate the spillway gates to avoid possible jamming in the open or closed positions both of which would result in dam failure and catastrophic regional loss of lives, livelihoods, assets and power. The project will also assist the Zambezi River Authority secure the long-term safety and reliability of the Kariba Dam complex and to forestall a potential dam failure that could disrupt commerce and livelihoods in nine southern African countries (Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland) should the dam fail. The project comprises three main components, namely : (i) Plunge Pool Rehabilitation, (ii) Spillway Refurbishment and (iii) Institutional Project Support.