Kariba dam levels hold above 2025 mark despite seasonal recession

WATER levels at Lake Kariba are continuing their expected seasonal decline, but the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) says the reservoir remains significantly healthier than it was at this time last year.

In its update on water levels at Kariba for Monday, August 31, 2026, ZRA reported the lake level at 481,49 metres, a gradual drop consistent with dry season trends.

That figure is 3,18m higher than the 478,31m recorded on August 31, 2025, and 4,76m below the 486,25m level seen during the strong hydrological year of 2018.

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