Okavango Delta Flood Update

Latest update: January 20, 2010

Okavango Flood update - January 20, 2010
The flood for 2010 is showing early signs that it may be a big one.

Below the standard flood chart are two satellite images of the Caprivi in Namibi and northern Botswana.  The first image was taken on 20 January and shows the flood water (which appears as DARK green in these images) just coming into the panhandle. On the second image, taken on 01-February, one can see that the flood waters have already reached Seronga!

Furthermore, the chart below the two satellite images shows that the flood waters are arriving a lot earlier this year compared to last year. No one knows how high this year's flood waters are going to reach, but keep in mind that there has been a substantial amount of local rain in northern Botswana and that the Okavango Delta is already relatively full of water for this time of year. Rain can also be expected for another two months (up through the end of March), locally and in the catchment area in Angola.

All of these factors could result in water levels that will surpass last year’s already high water mark!

The chart below shows data as of January 20, 2010...

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

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

Satellite image on 01 Feb, 2010: The flood water (dark green) has reached Seronga

Graph showing flow levels at Rundu and Mohembo versus 2009. (Data from 1963 is at Mohembo)

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

Top