Mwenezi River
Encyclopedia
Mwenezi River is a major tributary of the Limpopo River
. The Mwenezi River starts up in south central Zimbabwe
and flows south-east along what is known as the Mwenezi River Vally that bisects the district into two sectors.. The river is found in both Zimbabwe
and Mozambique
. In Zimbabwe it has been known as the Nuanetsi or Nuanetzi River in the past, a name it retains in Mozambique.
The river flows through Gonarezhou National Park
on its way to joining the mighty Limpopo River
. The Mwenezi river is a major tributary and flows north-south. They do not meet in Zimbabwe, but converge to a distance of 20 km downstream into Chicualacuala District
, Mozambique. In between is the Sengwe Communal Land in Chiredzi District
of Masvingo Province, mostly a flat and undulating area around 300 m in altitude.
Its major tributaries are the Dinhe, Manyoshi, Mtedzi, Mhondi, Makugwe, Sosonye, Sovoleli, Malole, Mwele and Mushawe
rivers.
There are also a number of fords
.
in Mwenezi (District), which supplies water to Rutenga
and for the irrigation of sugar cane. Water released from the Manyuchi Dam
is taken up for these users at Rinette Weir.
Two additional dam sites have been identified between Manyuchi Dam
and Mwenezi village, but development is not currently scheduled .
s, hippo
s and Nile crocodiles. A number of people lose their lives to these crocodiles, as well as countless domestic animals like goats, calves and donkeys.
Limpopo River
The Limpopo River rises in central southern Africa, and flows generally eastwards to the Indian Ocean. It is around long, with a drainage basin in size. Its mean annual discharge is 170 m³/s at its mouth...
. The Mwenezi River starts up in south central Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
and flows south-east along what is known as the Mwenezi River Vally that bisects the district into two sectors.. The river is found in both Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
and Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
. In Zimbabwe it has been known as the Nuanetsi or Nuanetzi River in the past, a name it retains in Mozambique.
The river flows through Gonarezhou National Park
Gonarezhou National Park
Gonarezhou National Park is a National Park located in south-eastern Zimbabwe. It is situated in a relatively remote corner of Masvingo Province, south of Chimanimani along the Mozambique border. The park is a lowveld region of baobabs, scrublands and sandstone cliffs...
on its way to joining the mighty Limpopo River
Limpopo River
The Limpopo River rises in central southern Africa, and flows generally eastwards to the Indian Ocean. It is around long, with a drainage basin in size. Its mean annual discharge is 170 m³/s at its mouth...
. The Mwenezi river is a major tributary and flows north-south. They do not meet in Zimbabwe, but converge to a distance of 20 km downstream into Chicualacuala District
Chicualacuala District
Chicuacuala District is a district of Gaza Province in south-western Mozambique. It has a population of 38,780 . It is home to several villages along the Limpopo River including, but not limited to: Dumela, Mbuzi, Kunguma, Mawene, Xicumba, Xicumbane, Ngala, Panhame, Mabuzane, and...
, Mozambique. In between is the Sengwe Communal Land in Chiredzi District
Chiredzi District
Chiredzi District is found in south-east Zimbabwe in Masvingo Province. The district is the major center of sugar production in the country. Hippo Valley Hospital, found in the district, is one of a numbers of center for HIV/AIDS treatment in the province....
of Masvingo Province, mostly a flat and undulating area around 300 m in altitude.
Hydrology
The Mwenezi River is a river with an intermittent flow generally restricted to the months when rain takes place (November to April), with most flow recorded between December and February, except where it has been modified by dam operations . The river contributes 6.7 % of the mean annual runoff of the Limpopo Basin, making it the third largest tributary to the Limpopo basin .Its major tributaries are the Dinhe, Manyoshi, Mtedzi, Mhondi, Makugwe, Sosonye, Sovoleli, Malole, Mwele and Mushawe
Mushawe
The Mushawe River is a right-bank tributary of the Mwenezi River in Zimbabwe. It rises in the Nemande mountain area and flows through the Maranda area to join the Mwenezi River dowsntream of Manyuchi Dam, Mwenezi District....
rivers.
Cities, Towns and Settlements along the River
The settlements and cities below are ordered from the beginning of the river to its end:- Chegato mission
- Mwenezi village
- Mabalauta Camp, Gonarezhou National ParkGonarezhou National ParkGonarezhou National Park is a National Park located in south-eastern Zimbabwe. It is situated in a relatively remote corner of Masvingo Province, south of Chimanimani along the Mozambique border. The park is a lowveld region of baobabs, scrublands and sandstone cliffs...
- Malipati village
Bridges and Crossings
There are four main bridges over the Mzingwane River:- Bridge on main MasvingoMasvingoMasvingo is a town in south-eastern Zimbabwe and the capital of Masvingo Province. The town is close to Great Zimbabwe, the national monument from which the country takes its name.- History :...
- BeitbridgeBeitbridgeBeitbridge or Mzingwane is a border town in the province of Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe. The name also refers to the border post and bridge spanning the Limpopo River, which forms the political border between South Africa and Zimbabwe.-Background:...
road, near RutengaRutengaRutenga is a growth point in Masvingo Province in Zimbabwe. It straddles the A4 highway between Beitbridge and Masvingo. It is the defacto capital of Mwenezi .- Background :...
. There is also a rail bridge. - Bridge on Chegato - Mataga road
- Bridge on Dinhe - NeshuroNeshuroNeshuro is an administrative center for Mwenezi District in Masvingo Province, south-eastern Zimbabwe. It also acts as one of the largest business centers in the drought-prone district. It is the staging front base from which aid organizations like CARE International, Oxfam launch their...
road - Bridge near Malipati on road from Chikombedzi
There are also a number of fords
Fords
Fords may refer to:* Fords, New Jersey* Ford * Ford Motor Company...
.
Development
In addition to a number of small weirs, there is one major dam on the Mzingwane River: Manyuchi DamManyuchi Dam
Manyuchi Dam forms a reservoir on the Mwenezi River in southern Zimbabwe. It is located in the Mwenezi District. The building of the dam was financed by the Mwenezi Development Corporation...
in Mwenezi (District), which supplies water to Rutenga
Rutenga
Rutenga is a growth point in Masvingo Province in Zimbabwe. It straddles the A4 highway between Beitbridge and Masvingo. It is the defacto capital of Mwenezi .- Background :...
and for the irrigation of sugar cane. Water released from the Manyuchi Dam
Manyuchi Dam
Manyuchi Dam forms a reservoir on the Mwenezi River in southern Zimbabwe. It is located in the Mwenezi District. The building of the dam was financed by the Mwenezi Development Corporation...
is taken up for these users at Rinette Weir.
Two additional dam sites have been identified between Manyuchi Dam
Manyuchi Dam
Manyuchi Dam forms a reservoir on the Mwenezi River in southern Zimbabwe. It is located in the Mwenezi District. The building of the dam was financed by the Mwenezi Development Corporation...
and Mwenezi village, but development is not currently scheduled .
Wildlife
The river supports a diverse range of wildlife, including heronHeron
The herons are long-legged freshwater and coastal birds in the family Ardeidae. There are 64 recognised species in this family. Some are called "egrets" or "bitterns" instead of "heron"....
s, hippo
Hippo
A hippo or hippopotamus is either of two species of large African mammal which live mainly in and near water:* Hippopotamus* Pygmy HippopotamusHippo may also refer to:-Given names:...
s and Nile crocodiles. A number of people lose their lives to these crocodiles, as well as countless domestic animals like goats, calves and donkeys.
External links
- Flora of Zimbabwe http://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=102940