Prior to the construction of a deep-water harbour in the
1970’s, the system comprised a large shallow, expanse of water, fed primarily by the Mhlathuze River, with a catchment area of approximately 3670 km2. The system today consists two separate components, a harbour (Richards Bay) and a sanctuary area (Mhlathuze estuary) into which the Mhlathuze River flows. (Ref 2)
About 5% of the catchment was degraded, mostly consisting of
degraded bushland and grassland. (Ref 2)Roughly 52 % of the catchment was natural and
comprised grassland, bushland, and forest and woodland. (Ref 2)