Chisimba Falls Explained

Chisimba Falls
Location:Kasama District
Coords:-10.1083°N 30.9175°W
Watercourse:Luombe River
Type:Cataract
Height:60m (200feet)
Number Drops:3

Chisimba Falls, also Chishimba Falls is a series of waterfalls located in Kasama District, in the Northern Province of Zambia. The waterfalls host the Chishimba Hydroelectric Power Station.[1] The scenic views around the falls, together with a museum under development, are major tourist attractions.[2]

Location

The falls are located approximately 40km (30miles), northwest of the city of Kasama, in Kasama District, in Zambia's Northern Province, off of the KasamaMporokoso Road (Road D20). The geographical coordinates of Chishimba Falls are: 10°06'30.0"S, 30°55'03.0"E (Latitude:-10.108333; Longitude:30.917500).

Overview

The waterfall complex comprises three separate waterfalls spread over a distance of about 300m (1,000feet) along the Luombe River, as it flows in a general north to south direction. The upper falls are called Mutumuna Falls. Here the river drops approximately 20m (70feet). The middle falls are known as the Kayela Rapids, where the river ripples down about 10m (30feet). The lower falls are the main Chishimba Fall, where the river drops another estimated 30m (100feet). This is a total drop of about 60m (200feet).[2] [3]

Local attractions

A hydro-electric power plant, the 15 MW Chishimba Hydroelectric Power Station, that is owned and operated by ZESCO, is located at these falls. First commissioned in 1959, as a 0.9 MW installation, the power station was expanded to 6 MW in 1971. In the early 2020s the capacity of this mini-hydropower plant is under expansion to 15 megawatts.[4]

The Chishimba Falls belong to the Monuments and Historic Sites of Zambia.[2] [3]

See also

Notes

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Construction Review Online . Zambia to rehabilitate US $46m Chishimba falls power station . 15 August 2021 . Teresia Njoroge . 17 May 2022 . Nairobi, Kenya.
  2. Web site: Chishimba Falls, Northern Province, Zambia . 16 August 2010 . World of Waterfalls . 17 May 2022 . World of Waterfalls.
  3. Web site: Profile of Chishimba Falls, Kasama District, Zambia . ZambiaTourism.com . 17 May 2022 . Zambia Tourism . 17 May 2022 . Lusaka, Zambia.
  4. Web site: Zambia: $46 million from KfW to renovate Chishimba hydroelectric power plant . Afrik21.africa . 18 September 2019 . Jean Marie Takouleu . 17 May 2022 . Paris, France.