Mwadingusha | |
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Coordinates: 10°45′08″S 27°14′07″E / 10.752155°S 27.235365°ECoordinates: 10°45′08″S 27°14′07″E / 10.752155°S 27.235365°E | |
Country | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Province | Katanga |
District | Haut Katanga |
Territory | Kambove Territory |
Mwadingusha is a community in the Kambove Territory of Haut Katanga District in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Cornet Falls on the Lufira River had a drop of 113 metres (371 ft) at Mwadingusha. The river was dammed at the falls in 1925 with an 8 metres (26 ft) dyke to form Lake Tshangalele, a reservoir for a hydroelectric generator supplying power for copper smelting in Likasi. The newly formed Société Générale des Forces Hydro-électriques du Katanga (SOGEFOR) undertook construction over a four-year period, with most of the work done by large crews of laborers. The Emil Francqui power station was built to harness the power. It had six turbo-generators, five active at any time, and a generating capacity of 60,000 kilowatts.
The dyke was raised in 1934, 1938 and again in 1947 to a final height of 13 metres (43 ft). The resultant shallow lake has an area of over 410 square kilometres (160 sq mi) and supports up to 2,000 fishermen.