Lake Kariba Water Levels Continue to Gradually Rise

The latest update from the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) indicates a steady rise in Lake Kariba’s water levels, attributed to consistent inflows from the upper catchment of the Zambezi River.

As of 19 May 2025, the lake’s level stood at 477.99 metres, representing 17.33% of its usable live storage capacity. This reflects a slight increase from the previous week’s level of 477.96 metres, which held 17.12% of usable storage.

Monitoring stations upstream have reported continued inflows, contributing to the gradual rise. This is a critical development for Lake Kariba, which plays a central role in hydroelectric power generation for both Zambia and Zimbabwe. Rising water levels enhance the lake’s generation capacity, helping to meet growing regional energy demands.

As the world’s largest man-made reservoir by volume, Lake Kariba is a key economic and ecological asset. However, the ZRA emphasises that, despite this positive trend, continued monitoring and sustainable water management remain essential to preserve the lake’s long-term energy generation potential.

The incremental rise offers cautious optimism for improved energy security and economic resilience in the region.