Ruacana Falls

Ruacana Falls are waterfalls located near Ruacana on the Kunene River in Northern Namibia. The waterfall is 120 meters (390 ft) high and 700 meters (2,300 ft) wide in full flood. It is among the largest waterfalls in Africa, both by volume and width.[1]

Ruacana Falls at High Water from distance, in 03/2011. Author: Tom Jakobi
closer you can only get with an underwater camera

The Ruacana Dam and power station, together with the Calueque Dam (completed in 1976) 25 miles (40 km) farther upriver in Angola, are designed to provide irrigation water for southern Angola and the Owambo region of northern Namibia as well as to provide electricity for most of Namibia[2].However, for most of the year the waterfall is dry, due to the Ruacana Hydropower Plant upstream, which meets more than 50% of Namibia’s electricity requirements.[3]

The Epupa Falls on the Kunene River are located 135 km (84 mi) downstream on the border of Angola and Namibia. With its scenically beautiful surroundings, Epupa is one of Namibia’s prime tourist destinations. The falls are a series of cascades where the Kunene River drops a total of 60 metres over a distance of about 1.5 km, separating into a multitude of channels and forming a myriad of rock pools. It is possible to swim in these pools[3].

References
  1. Ruacana Falls WorldWaterFallDatabase.com
  2. "Ruacana | dam, Africa". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2020-05-29.
  3. "Kaokoland". Travel News Namibia. Retrieved 2020-05-29.

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