Chapter 326: "Central Canal" Project
Constantine's plan to put the Ndebele people to work on canal construction was more than just talk; it was a massive project that had undergone geological exploration and was ready for construction. This ambitious endeavor was named the "Central Canal" project, and its primary goal was to connect the three main rivers in the central province, thereby enhancing their shipping capabilities.
The project involved three main rivers, namely the Wami River, the Little Rhine (Rufu River), and the Rufiji River, from north to south. The Wami-Little Rhine River, with a drainage area of approximately 62,000 square kilometers, extended from the semi-arid Dodoma area to the coastal cities, including Dar es Salaam, the largest city in Tanzania. The Rufiji River Basin covered a vast area of about 177,400 square kilometers, providing a significant portion of Tanzania's renewable water resources.
The project focused on the middle and lower reaches of these rivers, located in the eastern coastal plain. Once completed, it would cover approximately 70,000 square kilometers in the three river basins, providing a vital transportation route for people and goods and opening up new transportation options within the central province.
During a meeting at the Period Witte Palace, the chief designer of the canal project, Austrian water conservancy engineer Vaskov, presented the construction plan to Constantine and East African officials. The plan involved building a 47-kilometer canal from the upper reaches of the Little Rhine to connect with the middle reaches of the Rufiji River, utilizing Lake Nazka in the east of Mpanga as a conduit.
However, Constantine raised concerns about the terrain and the potential for water from the Little Rhine to flow into the Rufiji River. Vaskov explained that the area around Lake Nazca acted as a watershed due to its unique terrain, allowing for the diversion of water into the Little Rhine.
There were two options for the northern line project, connecting the Little Rhine and the Wami River. The first plan was to build a canal along the coast at the bottom of the two rivers, while the second plan involved digging a canal in the interior near Morogoro, with a longer route but lower construction costs.
Constantine suggested considering both options and potentially building two canals simultaneously. Vaskov mentioned that this would require a significant amount of manpower, to which Constantine replied that he had prepared sufficient labor for the canal construction, although they would need time to arrive.
Ultimately, they decided to begin construction with the canal from the Rufiji River to the Little Rhine, Canal No. 3, which was considered the least difficult section with the lowest amount of work. This marked the start of the Central Canal project, an ambitious endeavor aimed at transforming the transportation and development prospects of the central province of East Africa.
(end of this chapter)