CALEDON RIVER: Hydrology and geohydrology

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Map of the Caledon River

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HYDROLOGY
"Water from the Caledon River is pumped to Knellpoort Dam from the Tienfontein Pumping Station via a 2 km long canal which is equipped with a silt trap to reduce siltation in the main reservoir." (www.dwaf.gov.za/orange/Mid_Orange/calmod.htm)
    GEOHYDROLOGY                                    
Water in the Caledon River is naturally of high turbidity and carries a concerning high sediment load. (Ref 1)
The water quality and the water infrastructure in the Caledon River catchment are impacted on by sedimentation.  The soils have a moderate to high erosivity index, which coupled with poor land use practices, has resulted in high erosion rates. This is reflected in the sedimentation of Welbedacht Dam and the operating rules that have to be adopted for the water supply infrastructure in this area. (Ref 1)

CaledonRiver_near_Welbedacht2.jpg (33627 bytes)

CaledonRiver_near_Welbedacht5.jpg (28035 bytes)

CaledonRiver_near_Welbedacht6.jpg (35487 bytes)

  References                                      

Ref 1:  Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, South Africa. 2004. Internal Strategic Perspective: Upper Orange Water Management Area.
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