KARIBA DAM Meaning and
Definition
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The Kariba Dam is a large hydroelectric dam situated on the Zambezi River, between Zimbabwe and Zambia. It is one of the largest dams in the world by volume and a vital source of electricity for both countries. This massive concrete tumb structure was completed in 1959 as a joint project between the colonial governments of the two nations.
The primary purpose of the Kariba Dam is to generate electricity through hydropower. The reservoir created by the dam, known as Lake Kariba, is colossal and stretches over 280 kilometers (174 miles) in length and covers an area of approximately 5,400 square kilometers (2,100 square miles). This reservoir not only supplies substantial amounts of energy to the region but also provides water for irrigation and sustains local wildlife.
The Kariba Dam has an impressive generating capacity, with six turbines that produce a total of 1,624 megawatts of power. Its strategic location on the Zambezi River, which has a consistent flow of water throughout the year, allows for a reliable and consistent energy source. The dam's construction significantly expanded the region's power grid and facilitated the development of industries, infrastructure, and urban areas in both Zimbabwe and Zambia.
However, the Kariba Dam's construction also resulted in the displacement of local communities and had environmental consequences. The creation of the reservoir led to the displacement of thousands of indigenous people who had to be relocated. Additionally, the dam altered the Zambezi River's natural flow, impacting ecosystems and altering local wildlife migration and spawning patterns.
Overall, the Kariba Dam is a monumental hydraulic structure that provides crucial electricity generation, water resources, and irrigation opportunities for Zimbabwe and Zambia, while also posing challenges to the environment and displaced communities.
Etymology of KARIBA DAM
The word "Kariba" is derived from the local language of the Tonga people, who reside in the Zambezi Valley in southern Zambia and northern Zimbabwe. In the Tonga language, "Kariba" means "trap" or "falling objects", which is associated with the powerful force of the Zambezi River and the formation of the Kariba Dam. The dam was built across the Zambezi River in the 1950s and 1960s to create Lake Kariba, which is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world.
