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Dzalanyama hydrological system

The Dzalanyama Forest Reserve is the single most important water catchment in the central region of Malawi
This critical ecosystem helps secure the provision of water supply to the rural and urban areas of Lilongwe city for domestic, agricultural and industrial uses and supports to the livelihoods of thousands of people living along the rivers and streams that drains from Dzalanyama Range.
The area is drained by three major river systems which flow north-eastwards from the Dzalanyama Forest Reserve to Lake Malawi. The Lilongwe River with its tributaries, Likuni, Katete and Chaulongwe, drains the western, central and north- eastern parts of the area; the Namitete River, drains the north- western part and Diamphwi River with its major tributary, the Lifidzi drains the south- eastern segment.
Small dambo lie at the source of each tributary stream and rarely dry up as all but smallest streams in Dzalanyama continue to flow throughout the year.
The area is therefore humid and cool even during the drier months of the year. Dzalanyama and the surrounding areas receive early rains as a result of these humid conditions. Trees emit water vapour into the air and this encourages early and regular rains.

     Mkantha stream


Kamuzu Dam 1&2

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