MZIMVUBU RIVER: Hydrology and geohydrology

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Map of the MZIMVUBU River

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HYDROLOGY
The natural mean annual run-off (MAR) of the Mzimvubu River Basin , is about 2000 million m3.
The rivers, Gatberg, Wildebeest, Mooi, Pot and Ntombizininzi together with the many wetlands, play a major role in the hydrological functioning of the upper catchment of the Mzimvubu River .
The Mzimvubu catchment area is one of the areas with the highest mean annual runoff in the country. About 40% of the total surface runoff from the water management area is from the Mzimvubu River catchment. The extent ofwater resources development in the water management area varies considerably. (Ref 1)
    GEOHYDROLOGY                                    

The geology of the Mzimvubu to Mbashe ISP area is dominated by the Mapumulo Metamorphic complex and associated igneous intrusives, such as 

  • The Msikaba Formation, Ecca Group and lower Beaufort Group found on the coastal plateau

  • The Molteno and Elliot Formations and Drakensberg Formation, including the upper Beaufort Group, found inland.

The major portion of the Mzimvubu to Keiskamma water management area is underlain by shallow intergranular and fractured aquifer systems which include the following:

  • The Msikaba sandstone Formation. This formation gives good borehole yields and the high rainfall in the coastal plains of Pondoland ensures good aquifer recharge and yields.

  • The Katberg sandstones, which extend from the Kei River to Mtata. Boreholes in these sandstones also have reasonably good yields, but the lower rainfall reduces the recharge and aquifer yields.

  • The Clarens sandstones which form the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains in the north-western area.  (Ref 1)
  References                                      

Ref 1:  Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, South Africa. 2005. Mzimvubu to Keiskamma Water Management Area: Internal Strategic Perspective of the Mzimvubu to Mbashe ISP Area. Prepared by Ninham Shand, Tlou and Matji, FST Consulting and Umvoto Consortium. DWAF Report No.: P WMA 12/000/00/0305

Ref 1:  Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, South Africa. 2005. Mzimvubu to Keiskamma Water Management Area: Internal Strategic Perspective of the Mzimvubu to Mbashe ISP Area. Prepared by Ninham Shand, Tlou and Matji, FST Consulting and Umvoto Consortium. DWAF Report No.: P WMA 12/000/00/0305

Ref 2:  Republic of Transkei : Department of Works and Energy (1990). Mzimvubu Basin Development Study. Binnie & Partners and Ninham Shand Inc. in Joint Venture.

Ref 3:  DWAF (2005). Mzimvubu River Basin .  Water utilization opportunities.  REPORT NO.: P WMA 12/000/00/0505.www.dwaf.gov.za/Documents/Other/WMA/12/MzimvubuWUOApr05.pdf

Ref 4:  DWAF: Directorate National Water Resources Planning (2003). Report No. P WMA 12/000/00/0203. Mzimvubu to Keiskamma Water Management Area. Overview of Water Resources Availability and Utilization. BKS.

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