BUSINESS REPORTER
The Zambezi River Authority has begun the Kariba Dam Plunge pool dewatering process following the completion of the construction of the temporary cofferdam which will enable reshaping works to be carried out, the bi-national entity has said.
The dewatering began on July 7 and the authority is working with the contractor, Razel Bec in the exercise.
The first 10 meters draw-down of the water-level in the plunge pool is expected to be achieved by July 15 and is a significant milestone in respect of the Plunge Pool Reshaping works components of the Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project (KDRP), the authority’s CEO Munyaradzi Munodawafa said Friday.
The KDRP is financed by the European Union through the 11th European Development Fund.
“On Thursday, 7th July 2022, the last Stoplogs of the Plunge Pool Cofferdam were successfully installed, hence leading to the commencement of the first phase of de-watering. This important exercise, which is a prerequisite to the plunge pool reshaping works, is vital and will enable the Contractor to effectively execute the excavation works in dry conditions,” Munodawafa said.
He said the exercise will not result in any “drastic changes” in river levels and will not affect power generation at the Kariba North Bank and Kariba South Bank Power stations.
The reshaping of the plunge pool will increase its size, reducing the pressure the water spilling into the plunge pool exerts on the base of the pool thereby slowing the erosion of the natural rock floor.
