Lake Mutirikwe, reservoir
Lake Mutirikwe is the largest man-made inland lake in Zimbabwe, created by a dam built across the Mutirikwi River in the southeastern region near Masvingo. The shoreline is flanked by granite hills, woodland areas, and farmland, with a recreational park on the northern bank and the Great Zimbabwe ruins visible on the southern side.
The dam was constructed between 1958 and 1960 to provide irrigation water for farms in the region. The lake was originally named Lake Kyle after Kyle Farm, a British settler holding that was submerged when the dam was filled.
The lake has long supported farming practices in the region, with water directed to sugar plantations that shaped the local economy. The recreational parks along its shores serve as gathering places where people spend time walking, picnicking, and enjoying the water on weekends.
The lake is accessible year-round with no entrance fee required, though a fishing or boating license is needed for those activities. The dam wall is reached via a paved road about 14.5 km (9 miles) from the Great Zimbabwe turn-off and offers an elevated view of the entire water body.
The lake hosts about 21 fish species including largemouth bass, catfish, and bream, showing how man-made reservoirs can support diverse aquatic life. A nearby research station monitors these communities and has documented rare fish species that appear in the water.
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