Lake Chivero

Lake Chivero
Coordinates	17°54′01″S 30°47′28″E
Type	reservoir
Basin countries	Zimbabwe

Lake Chivero is a reservoir on the Manyame River. It was formerly called Lake McIlwaine in memory of the late Sir Robert Mcllwaine, a former judge of the High Court and founder of Zimbabwe's Soil and Water Conservation movement

This water body is Harare's (the capital city of Zimbabwe) main water supply.) is a lake southwest of Harare, Zimbabwe. The lake was created and opened to the public in 1952. The shoreline of the entire water body covers approximately 48 kilometres. The lake area holds about 250 000 million litres of water, has an area of approximately 26sq km (2 632 ha) and a depth of 27 meters. At its widest point the lake stretches for 8 km. The dam wall is 400 metres long and the lake measures approximately 27.43 deep at full supply level att the dam wall.

It took a total of two and a half years to complete Lake Chivero. It was finally opened for public viewing in 1952. This lake is the main source of drinking water for the people of Harare. The water is also used for irrigation purposes and commercial fishing.

Some of the fishes that are found in the lake are Common Grass Carp, Tiger fish, Black bream, Clarius Garicpnus, Yellow fish, Green headed bream and it is regarded as one of the most important lake in Zimbabwe.

The lake and hinterland are protected as Lake Chivero Recreational Park.