Kunene River continues to swell

THE flow of the Kunene River has reached its highest level so far this year, measuring 1 130 cubic metres per second yesterday.

NamPower officials expect the river to increase even further during the course of this week, predicting it could reach as much as 1 500 cubic metres per second. Last week the power utility was forced to open one of the flap gates of the diversion weir at the Ruacana Hydro Power Station to release the water.Should the river flow increase to 1 400 cubic metres per second, NamPower says it will have to open another flap gate.Both scour gates, which allow water to pass through under normal circumstances, are currently open.While lodges downstream report that the river has swollen extensively it has not yet flooded their infrastructure.Management of the Epupa Camp said the water had not reached the camp’s tented area and they were still able to receive guests.Having dealt with flooding two ye^ars ago, they said they were prepared for the eventuality and were constantly monitoring the situation.While the waters were nearing the Kunene River Lodge, some 60 kilometres downstream from Ruacana, staff there said the camp had not yet been flooded.However, high river levels for this time of the year in the Kavango and Caprivi Regions posed no major threat over the weekend.After remaining fairly stable since Friday, NamWater recorded an eight centimetre increase in the Okavango River yesterday.The river measured 7,64 m on Friday increasing to 7,68 cm by Sunday.Yesterday it measured 7,75 m.Last week the power utility was forced to open one of the flap gates of the diversion weir at the Ruacana Hydro Power Station to release the water. Should the river flow increase to 1 400 cubic metres per second, NamPower says it will have to open another flap gate. Both scour gates, which allow water to pass through under normal circumstances, are currently open. While lodges downstream report that the river has swollen extensively it has not yet flooded their infrastructure. Management of the Epupa Camp said the water had not reached the camp’s tented area and they were still able to receive guests. Having dealt with flooding two ye^ars ago, they said they were prepared for the eventuality and were constantly monitoring the situation. While the waters were nearing the Kunene River Lodge, some 60 kilometres downstream from Ruacana, staff there said the camp had not yet been flooded. However, high river levels for this time of the year in the Kavango and Caprivi Regions posed no major threat over the weekend. After remaining fairly stable since Friday, NamWater recorded an eight centimetre increase in the Okavango River yesterday. The river measured 7,64 m on Friday increasing to 7,68 cm by Sunday. Yesterday it measured 7,75 m.