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...

(measured in cubic metres per second at Mohembo, on the Okavango River just as it enters Botswana)

Satellite image on 16 Apr, 2010: The image reveals a huge amount of water still flowing down from the Cuito!

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 01 Feb, 2010: The flood water (dark green) has reached Seronga.

Satellite image on 20 Jan, 2010: The flood water (dark green) is just coming into the panhandle.

Graph showing flow levels at Rundu and Mohembo versus 2009 (as of Apr 16, 2010).

A lovely floodplain over Vumbura	Looking west along the tree line above Zibadianja Lagoon
Beautiful blue water above Kwetsani in the Jao concession
Flood water between Kwetsani and Vumbura	The boat station at Vumbura Paradise near the airstrip

Elephant herd enjoying the water flowing down the Savuti Channel	Looking down the Savuti Channel from above Zib Lagoon
Rain and early flood water in the Savuti Channel
Water pushing up the Selinda from Zibadianja Lagoon	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)

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

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