Kariba Dam

Kariba Dam is a concrete arch dam across the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It impounds Lake Kariba and supplies hydroelectric power to both countries.

Arch dam: A dam that transfers much of the water pressure on its curved structure into the canyon walls. Kariba’s curved concrete wall relies on the strength of the Zambezi Gorge to resist reservoir pressure.
Central African Federation: A political federation of Southern Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland that existed from 1953 to 1963. The federation’s authorities advanced the dam project before its member territories became independent states.
Operation Noah: A wildlife rescue operation conducted as Lake Kariba rose in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Rising reservoir waters stranded animals on islands, prompting a large rescue effort.
ZESCO: Zambia’s state-owned electricity utility, responsible for power generation, transmission, and distribution. ZESCO operates Kariba North Power Station and distributes its electricity in Zambia.
Lake Kariba: A large artificial lake on the Zambezi River, formed by the construction of Kariba Dam. The dam’s reservoir stores water for power generation and transformed the surrounding river valley.
Zambezi River: A major African river flowing east from Zambia through several countries to the Indian Ocean. The dam was built across this river at the narrow Kariba Gorge.
Kariba resettlement: The relocation of communities displaced by the creation of Lake Kariba. The dam’s reservoir submerged settlements and forced people to move, often with lasting social costs.
ZESA Holdings: Zimbabwe’s state-owned electricity utility holding company. Its generation subsidiary operates Kariba South Power Station for Zimbabwe’s electricity system.
Kariba South Power Station: A hydroelectric power station on the southern, Zimbabwean side of Kariba Dam. It converts water released through the dam into electricity for Zimbabwe.
Kariba Gorge: A narrow gorge on the Zambezi River where Kariba Dam was constructed. Its steep rock walls provided the site for the dam’s arch structure.

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