Lakes Chivero and Manyame
Lakes Chivero and Manyame are reservoirs on the Manyame River in Zimbabwe. Located southwest of Harare. Lake Chivero reservoir provides the main water supply for the city. Lake Chivero was constructed over two-and-a-half years and opened to the public in 1952. The dam wall is 400 metres long. The water is also used for irrigation purposes and commercial fishing. Lake Chivero Recreational Park covers 3470ha and harbours a range of wildlife species including the white rhinoceros. It is a paradise of birds and home to historical rock paintings that are estimated to approximately 100 years old. Some of the fishes that are found in the lake include common grass carp, tigerfish, black bream, catfish (Clarias gariepinus), yellowfish, and green-headed bream. The lake and hinterland are protected as part of Lake Chivero Recreational Park. The lakes were designated a Ramsar wetland of international importance, Site Number 2105, on 3 January 2013.
Coordinates 17°54′01″S 30°47′28″E
Primary inflows Manyame River, Marimba River, Mukuvisi River
Primary outflows Manyame River
Basin countries Zimbabwe
Max. width 8 km
Surface area 2,632 ha
Max. depth 27 m
Water volume 250 ×106 m3
Shore length 148 km, Site Area 292.60km2
Wetlands are vital for human survival. They are among the world’s most productive environments; cradles of biological diversity that provide the water and productivity upon which countless species of plants and animals depend for survival.
Wetlands are indispensable for the countless benefits or “ecosystem services” that they provide humanity, ranging from freshwater supply, food and building materials, and biodiversity, to flood control, groundwater recharge, and climate change mitigation.
Yet study after study demonstrates that wetland area and quality continue to decline in most regions of the world. As a result, the ecosystem services that wetlands provide to people are compromised.
Managing wetlands is a global challenge and the Convention presently counts 172 countries as Contracting Parties, which recognize the value of having one international treaty dedicated to a single ecosystem.
The Convention uses a broad definition of wetlands. This includes all lakes and rivers, underground aquifers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas and tidal flats, mangroves and other coastal areas, coral reefs, and all human-made sites such as fish ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and salt pans.
Zimbabwe's Vision 2030 aims to transform the country into a middle-income economy that is prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable. Central to this vision is the recognition of the importance of natural resources, including wetlands, in contributing to the nation’s socio-economic development and environmental health. Wetlands are vital ecosystems that support biodiversity, water security, climate resilience, and the livelihoods of communities.
As part of its commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship, Zimbabwe has incorporated the conservation and sustainable management of wetlands into its National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which covers the period from 2021 to 2025. The NDS1 serves as the country’s blueprint for achieving Vision 2030 and outlines key objectives, strategies, and actions to foster economic growth, environmental protection, and social well-being.