Mbarali River at New NAFCO Headworks, Low Flow 2024

Observations:

  1. First Satellite Image is dated August 5, 2024. By reducing the transparency slider of the ‘imag1’ layer on the map, you can see the ‘stilling basin’ of the NewNAFCO headworks. For better view disable the ‘stilling basin’ layer of the GEE Map. The high resolution Google Earth map is taken on August 6, 2024 one day after the first satellite Image 1. Compare the appearance of the ‘false color’ satellte image with the high resolution image.
  2. Clicking through the satellite images on the dates printed in the info labels at the top center of the map, the stilling basin seems to dry around 17 September and 19 September, 2024. September 19, 2024 is selected as the first day without overflow at the weir. For more details on the remote monitor for the low flow in the Mbarali River visit the 2023 report.
  3. The dry overflow indicates a low flow of approximately 2 cumecs in the Mbarali River which is all diverted into main canal on the right bank. The return flow from the Mbarali NewNAFCO main canal is limited as is elaborated in this post. Soon the Mbarali River will not contribute any longer to the drainage flow from the Usangu Rice Plain as is detailed for 2023.
  4. On October 12, 2024 all low flow of the Mbarali River is diverted into the canal. October 14, 2024 the Mbarali flows again immidiately after the weir.
  5. The increased flow resulting in overflow at the New NAFCO headworks on October 14, 2024 impacts the recovery of the flow at the Ruaha Park HQ some 150km downstream on December 3, 2024.
  6. Cloud cover of the satellite images is set at 50% which results in 100% cloud cover of the Area of Interest (AOI) on October 9, 2024.