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Okavango Delta Flood Update

Latest update: May 30, 2010

Okavango Flood update - May 30, 2010
The flood for 2010 is now on the downslope and ebbing after a remarkably big flow! On 20 April the discharge reading was 1,075 Cusecs. On 30 April 1984 it was at 1,100 Cusecs. The discharge peaked at Mohembo at 1,150.429 cms, exceeding the high mark set in 1984.

Additionally, the water levels at Rundu have now passed the peak level of last year at Rundu (see chart below). Satellite images (also see below) indicate a lot of water is still coming down the Cuito river as well.

As is typical, the Okavango flow exhibited the usual ‘second spike’, which topped the 1984 spike. This is usually larger than the first, as the waters of different catchments of the Okavango River arrive in the Delta.

Below the standard flood chart are satellite images during the height of the flow showing the Caprivi in Namibia, northern Botswana, and up into Zambia and the upper Zambezi.  (The flood water appears as DARK green in these images).


The chart below shows data as of May 30, 2010...

Okavango Flood chart - May 30, 2010
(measured in cubic metres per second at Mohembo, on the Okavango River just as it enters Botswana)

2010
Early 2010 Satellite Images
(Current flood water shows as dark green)
Satellite image on Apr 16, 2010
Satellite image on 16 Apr, 2010: The image reveals a huge amount of water still flowing down from the Cuito!
    
Satellite image on Mar 09, 2010
Satellite image on 09 Mar, 2010: The water at Rundu is still rising. There is a large amount of water in the upper Zambezi.
    
Satellite image on Feb 01, 2010
Satellite image on 01 Feb, 2010: The flood water (dark green) has reached Seronga.
    
Satellite image on Jan 20, 2010
Satellite image on 20 Jan, 2010: The flood water (dark green) is just coming into the panhandle.
    
Flow levels at Rundu and Mohembo for 2010 and 2009
Graph showing flow levels at Rundu and Mohembo versus 2009 (as of Apr 16, 2010).

 

2009
Early May 2009 Flood Images
(taken 03-06 May 2009)

Images courtesy of Grant Atkinson
A lovely floodplain over Vumbura - May 2009
A lovely floodplain over Vumbura
Looking west along the tree line above Zibadianja Lagoon - May 2009
Looking west along the tree line above Zibadianja Lagoon
Beautiful blue water above Kwetsani in the Jao concession - May 2009
Beautiful blue water above Kwetsani in the Jao concession
Flood water between Kwetsani and Vumbura - May 2009
Flood water between Kwetsani and Vumbura
The boat station at Vumbura Paradise near the airstrip - May 2009
The boat station at Vumbura Paradise near the airstrip

 

2008
February 2008 Rain / Flood Images
(taken 15-February 2008)

Images courtesy of Colin Bell
Water flowing down the Savuti Channel - Feb 2008
Elephant herd enjoying the water flowing down the Savuti Channel
Water flowing down the Savuti Channel
Looking down the Savuti Channel from above Zib Lagoon
Rain and early flood water in the Savuti Channel - Feb 2008
Rain and early flood water in the Savuti Channel
Water pushing up the Selinda from Zibadianja Lagoon
Water pushing up the Selinda from Zibadianja Lagoon
Rain and early flood water around Selinda Camp (camp in tree island at middle-left)
Rain and early flood water around Selinda Camp (camp in tree island at middle-left)
Water in the Selinda Spillway at Motswiri Ketumetse Camp (camp in trees on left bank before the bend)
Water in the Selinda Spillway at Motswiri Ketumetse Camp (camp in trees on left bank before the bend)

 

2006
2006 Photos of the Savuti Channel
(taken 22-June to 26-June 2006)

All images © 2006 James Weis.
Zibadianja Lagoon (far left) and water flowing down the Savuti Channel
Zibadianja Lagoon (far left) and water flowing down the Savuti Channel
Zibadianja Lagoon (upper left corner) and water flowing down the Savuti Channel
Zibadianja Lagoon (upper left corner) and water flowing down the Savuti Channel
Water in the Savuti Channel
Water in the Savuti Channel
Zebras and Wildebeests - this is over 4 kilometers down the channel
Zebras and Wildebeests - this is over 4 kilometers down the channel
White-faced Ducks enjoying the water in the Channel
White-faced Ducks enjoying the water in the Channel
The normally dry channel is now a picturesque waterland
The normally dry channel became a picturesque waterland
Water in the channel just north of the old mopane bridge
Water in the channel just north of the old mopane bridge

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