Chisimba Falls

Waterfalls in Zambia

10°06′30″S 30°55′03″E / 10.10833°S 30.91750°E / -10.10833; 30.91750 (Chisimba Falls)TypeCataractTotal height60 metres (197 ft)Number of drops3WatercourseLuombe River

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 40 kilometres (25 mi), northwest of the city of Kasama, in Kasama District, in Zambia's Northern Province, off of the Kasama–Mporokoso Road (Road D20).^[3] The geographical coordinates of Chishimba Falls are: 10°06'30.0"S, 30°55'03.0"E (Latitude:-10.108333; Longitude:30.917500).^[4]

Overview

The waterfall complex comprises three separate waterfalls spread over a distance of about 300 metres (984 ft) 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 20 metres (66 ft). The middle falls are known as the Kayela Rapids, where the river ripples down about 10 metres (33 ft). The lower falls are the main Chishimba Fall, where the river drops another estimated 30 metres (98 ft). This is a total drop of about 60 metres (197 ft).^[2]^[5]

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.^[6]

The Chishimba Falls belong to the Monuments and Historic Sites of Zambia.^[2]^[5]

References

^ Teresia Njoroge (15 August 2021). "Zambia to rehabilitate US $46m Chishimba falls power station". Construction Review Online. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c World of Waterfalls (16 August 2010). "Chishimba Falls, Northern Province, Zambia". World of Waterfalls. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
^ Google (17 May 2022). "Road Distance Between Kasama, Zambia And Chishimba Falls, Zambia With Map" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
^ Google (17 May 2022). "Location of Chishimba Falls" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
^ ^a ^b Zambia Tourism (17 May 2022). "Profile of Chishimba Falls, Kasama District, Zambia". ZambiaTourism.com. Lusaka, Zambia. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
^ Jean Marie Takouleu (18 September 2019). "Zambia: $46 million from KfW to renovate Chishimba hydroelectric power plant". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 17 May 2022.