| OLIFANTS RIVER: Topography, geology and soils |
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eWISA Home | OLIFANTS: MAIN INDEX | ALPHABETICAL LIST OF RIVERS | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Map of the OLIFANTS River |
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| TOPOGRAPHY | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| GEOLOGY | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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The geology consists mainly of hard rock formations, with the occurrence of the Bushveld Igneous Complex as the most prominent feature. The eastern limb of this formation cuts through the northern part of the water management area. Rich coal deposits occur in the Upper Olifants Sub-area in the vicinity of Witbank and Middelburg. A large dolomitic intrusion extends along the Blyde River, curving westwards along the northern extremity of the water management area. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| SOILS | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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"Soils in this ecoregion are highly erodible. The situation is worsened by intensive cultivation and grazing, which have caused general degradation of land cover." (www.csir.co.za/rhp/state_of_rivers/state_of_crocsabieolif_01/olif_eco.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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"Cultivation and grazing also causes the riverbanks to destabilise, undercutting occurs and riverbanks are swept away by floods." (www.csir.co.za/rhp/state_of_rivers/state_of_crocsabieolif_01/olif_eco.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| References | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ref 1: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, South Africa. 2004. Olifants Water Management Area: Internal Strategic Perspective. Prepared by GMKS, Tlou and Matji and WMB on behalf of the Directorate: National Water Resource Planning. DWAF Report No P WMA 04/000/00/0304 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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