NAME : TSITSI BIZA

COURSE: HYDRAULICS

LEVEL: 5.2

TITLE: KUNZVI DAM REPORT

KUNZVI DAM REPORT

Background
The project involves the construction of Kunzwi-Musami Dams, conveyancing, and treatment
work. The dam site is 67 kilometers northeast of the capital, near Juru Growth Point on the
Nyanguvi River. The dam will have the capacity to deliver 158.4million cubic meters of water
daily. The estimated project cost is US$865 million and will be funded through Public Private
Partnership initiatives. Project implementation is estimated at 60 months. In addition to supplying
water to Harare and its catchment areas, the dam project will provide irrigation water to
surrounding communities. Furthermore, the city will save on treatment costs as the project is more
upstream than Lake Chivero which is downstream and heavily contaminated with effluent from
industries.

Introduction
On the 13th of September 2022, The University of Zimbabwe was represented by The Chairman
of the Civil and the Built Environment Eng. Shumba, the department is represented by Dr. Mhizha,
Dr. Misi, Miss Nyakutsikwa, Miss Kutekwa, Mrs. Madamombe, and the final year students’ body
visited the Kunzvi Dam construction site.

Client: Zimbabwe Government

Engineer: ZINWA

Contractor: Makomo Engineering

Objectives of the site visit

• To get an understanding of how the theoretical knowledge is fitted into practice in dam
construction
• To have an appreciation of work being done on site

Main Dam
The embankment has a central impervious core and a one (1) meter wide Chimney drain. The core
is supported by the pervious fill zones on both upstream and downstream faces. The upstream at a
slope of 1:2.5 is protected by a 1.5m wide rip-rap and downstream by a 1m wide rip-rap. The
Downstream rock toe is incorporated to assist in drainage.

KUNZVI DAM REPORT

Outlet works
Consists of the intake Tower, D-shaped conduit, and valve house.

Intake tower

a hexagonal structure enclosing 2 x 100mm diameter vertical steel pipes. Draw-off points are at
various levels in the reservoir. The lowest drain-off points are at level 1194m comprising of two
1m diameter pipes for the Rip drain Downstream users. The sliding Gates will be operated from
the Tower House.

KUNZVI DAM REPORT

D-shaped Conduit

A 384.5m long by 5.4m wide x 5.1m high structure leads from the intake tower to the valve house.
It carries 2 x 1000mm diameter and 1 x 400mm diameter steel pipes. It provides access from the
valve house to the intake tower.

Valve house

houses 400mm diameter butterfly valve inserted before the discharge valve.

Spillway
It is a 100mm long ogee overflow section on the extreme left bank of the dam embankment with
a concrete-lined return channel. It shall be capable of passing the maximum probable flood.
(1:10000yr) without overtopping and shall pass the 200-year flood with the dry freeboard.

KUNZVI DAM REPORT

Summary of design
Full supply level 1230.0
Crest level 1235.2m
Crest length 2469.0m
Maximum depth of water 45.0m
Total capacity 158.4 x 106 m3
Live capacity 146.85 x 106 m3
Surface area at FSL 985 Ha
River bed level 1185.0m
High flood level 1233.3m
Crest Width 8.0m
Maximum Height of Dam 50.2m
Min . Draw-Down Level 1194m
Dead Storage 1.63 x 106m3
4% Yield 70.0 x 106m3
Total Embankment Volume 4.04 x 106 m3

KUNZVI DAM REPORT

Program
Three years will be required to complete the works

1. Year 1- commence excavation of left and right bank cut-off followed closely by grouting
operations and possibly backfilling.
2. Year 2- Construction work to concentrate on the River Bed cut-off, excavation, grouting,
and backfilling to, at the minimum, ground levels and let the coming wet season flood pass
over.
3. Year 3- river bed area is expected to be raised to the crest level

NB. The above-mentioned operations are those critical per year but other operations e.g. Rip-Rap
placing of upstream and downstream faces. Rockfill placing would be done concurrently with
critical areas operations.

Challenges
1. The challenges faced at hand include an old river bed that had not been anticipated which
is delaying the project because the sand silt material needs to be completely excavated to
improve the stability of the foundation.
2. Resettlement of the residents occupying the anticipated dam area may take time hence
delaying the project and date and may eventually result in increasing the project budget.

SHEQ REPORT
1. There is a boom gate at the entrance of the site separating the locals from the site
2. During blasting adequate warning signs are placed on site
3. The contractor employed a she officer to ensure safe working conditions to the employees
and to ensure the public do not enter prohibited zones
4. The site office is properly established with proper fencing

KUNZVI DAM REPORT

ictorial Gallery

KUNZVI DAM REPORT