“Spatio-temporal dynamics of sediment fluxes in Tugwi-Mukosi: A large inland dam in Zimbabwe”
Country of Study
Zimbabwe
Institution
Midlands University
Expected Year of Completion
2025
Thematic Area
Climate Change, Natural Resources and the Environment
Education
Josephine’s PhD is in Land and Resource Management at Midlands University in Zimbabwe, She is an Innovation Manager at Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences. She holds an MSc in Integrated Water Resources Management from the University of Zimbabwe and is expected to complete her studies in 2025.
Research Summary
Extremely high rates of erosion in certain specific locations contribute to sedimentation of water bodies in the Runde Catchment in Zimbabwe. However, precise data on sediment yield in the Runde Catchment is limited and dam designers often utilise generalised data for the entire country. Josephine’s research therefore addresses the need to quantify sedimentation of reservoir(s), especially newly constructed ones like the Tugwi Mukosi Dam, to establish how they are impacted by different natural and anthropogenic factors. This will address the rate of reservoir sedimentation and the relative impact on infrastructure, water quality and quantity. The findings from her research will be critical in informing policy and corrective actions that need to be taken to protect the reservoir and stimulate socio-economic activities around the water body. The scientific evidence generated by the proposed study will be beneficial to different stakeholders due to Tugwi Mukosi Dam’s national importance as the largest in-land dam. Sedimentation analysis in and around Tugwi Mukosi Dam will help inform the agriculture sector since the dam has the potential to irrigate more than 25,000 ha in the arid southern parts of Masvingo Province besides power generation activities.
