The Mzingwane River is an ephemeral river with flow generally restricted to the months when rain takes place, with most flow recorded between December and February, except where it has been modified by dam operations. The river contributes 9.3% of the mean annual runoff of the Limpopo Basin, making it the third largest tributary to the Limpopo basin. Major tributaries of the Mzingwane River include the Insiza, Inyankuni, Ncema, Umchabezi and Mtetengwe Rivers. The lower Mzingwane River is a sand filled channel, with extensive alluvial aquifers in the river channel and below the alluvial plains. Estimated water resources potential of these aquifers ranges between 175,000 m3 and 5,430,0003 in the channels and between 80,000 m3 and 6,920,0003 in the plains. Currently, some of these aquifers are being used to provide water for domestic use, livestock watering and dip tanks, commercial irrigation and market gardening.
Beitbridge town is located about 6 km ESE of the confluence of the Bubye River and the Limpopo on the border with South Africa. It was established in 1929.
Bridges and crossings
There are four main bridges over the Mzingwane River:
Bridge on main Bulawayo - Beitbridge road, between Esigodini and Mbalabala, downstream of Mzingwane Dam. There is also a rail bridge.
Two fords upstream of West Nicholson on Silalabuhwa and Mosholomoshe roads.
Doddieburn ford, downstream of West Nicholson.
Gems Drift, near Beitbridge.
Fulton's Drift, near Beitbridge.
Development
In addition to a number of small weirs, there are two major dams on the Mzingwane River:
Mzingwane Dam, built in 1962, with a full supply capacity of 42 MCM. It is located near the source of the river and supplies water to the city of Bulawayo.
Zhovhe Dam, built in 1995, with a full supply capacity of 136 MCM. It is located near the confluence with the Limpopo River and supplies water for irrigation to Beitbridge
Additional dam sites have been identified at Glassblock and Oakley Block, but development is not currently scheduled. Currently, a project is underway to construct a pipeline from the upper Mtshabezi River to Mzingwane Dam.
