BUFFALO RIVER: Overview

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Map of the Buffalo River

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"The Buffalo River has its source in the seeps and sponges of the Amatola Mountains at an altitude of 1200 m. The river is 126 kilometres long and drains a catchment of 1287 square kilometres. From its source, the river descends through indigenous forest in a deeply-incised channel, flanked by rock cliffs up to 120 metres high." (Ref 1)

"Rising at an altitude of 1 200 m, the Buffalo River drains the forested Amatole Mountains of the Eastern Cape . It flows eastwards across the coastal plateau before entering the Indian Ocean at East London harbour. The river is 126 km long. The catchment supports about 570 000 people within its 1 287 km2 area, so population pressure on surface water resources is very high. Less than 500 m3 of water is available per person per annum, among the lowest in the country." (Ref 2)  www.wrc.org.za/archives/waterwheel%20archive/mar-apr%2005/Buffalo%20River%20p%208-11.pdf

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  References                                      

Ref 1: www.environment.gov.za/soer/reports/rivers/buffalo/Buffalo.pdf

Ref 2: www.wrc.org.za/archives/waterwheel%20archive/mar-apr%2005/Buffalo%20River%20p%208-11.pdf)

Ref 3:  Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, South Africa. 2004. Mzimvubu to Keiskamma Water Management Area : Amatole – Kei Internal Strategic Perspective. Prepared by FST Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd in association with Tlou & Matji and Umvoto Africa, on behalf of the Directorate : National Water Resource Planning. DWAF Report No. P WMA 12/000/00/0404.

  Useful links                                      

River Health Programme:  Eastern Cape Buffalo river photo's