Assessing Environmental Flow Requirements for the Zambezi Delta

This report outlines a restoration effort based on making Mozambique's Cahora Bassa Dam's water release patterns more closely mimic natural flows. The study states: "At present the management of [upstream dams] remains focused on maximizing hydropower production relative to other potential Zambezi River use." The researchers found that a small (less than 3%) reduction in hydropower production at Cahora Bassa would enable prescribed flood releases that could result in very significant improvements in ecosystem-based livelihoods of downstream residents.

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