There are ongoing researches to assess groundwater in the subcatchment. Groundwater potential was assessed in the UMSCC using GIS and remote sensing based multi-criteria techniques (Adopted from an MSc thesis at University of Zimbabwe by Misi Alfred, 2016).

Upper Manyame groundwater potential zones

The areal extent of high groundwater potential zones was found to be 19% (719 km²) of the total area. Moderate and low groundwater potential zones accounted for 72% (2726 km²) and 9% (341 km²), respectively. This indicates that the groundwater prospect for the Upper Manyame sub-catchment is dominantly moderate. The upper parts of the sub-catchment, specifically areas around Ruwa, the south eastern parts of Dema and areas around Ushewokunze communal land show moderate potential. These areas fall within the granitic formation which Martinelli and Hubert (1985) found to be of moderate to low yields (50-100 m³/day). Hydrogeological assessment of the sub-catchment indicated that the area is underlain by massive granite which is characterized by poor and highly variable groundwater development potential for boreholes (Broderick 2012). Results from a hydro-census in the study area showed high success rates in groundwater development in the Bulawayan and Dolerites/Gabbros (UMSCC, 2014). This is consistent with the high groundwater potential zones in the same units e.g. areas around Ruwa and parts of Norton. Table below summarizes the results of the GWP mapping, mainly the proportional yield for each potential class and the areal coverage.

Classification of groundwater potential zones

References

1. Broderick, T.J. 2012. Notes on the Harare Groundwater Situation., Harare. Retrieved from: http://archive.kubatana.net/docs/watsan/broderick_harare_groundwater_1210.pdf
2. Martinelli, E. & Hubert, G. L. 1984. National Master Plan for Rural Water Supply and Sanitation. Report of Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, Government of Zimbabwe.
3. UMSCC 2014. Upper Manyame Sub-catchment Council Annual Report. Unpublished Report. Harare, Zimbabwe: Upper Manyame Sub-catchment Council.