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eWISA
Home |
OLIFANTS:
MAIN INDEX | ALPHABETICAL
LIST OF RIVERS |
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"The Olifants Catchment covers
about 54 570 km2 and is subdivided into 9 secondary
catchments" (www.csir.co.za/rhp/state_of_rivers/state_of_crocsabieolif_01/olif_eco.htm)
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The Olifants River originates near Bethal in
the Highveld of Mpumalanga. The river initially flows northwards before
curving in an easterly direction through the Kruger National Park and
into Mozambique where it joins the Limpopo River before discharging into
the Indian Ocean. (Ref 1)
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The Olifants water management area falls
within three provinces viz Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and the Limpopo
Province. (Ref.1)
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"The Olifants River meanders past
the foot of the Strydpoort Mountains and through the Drakensberg,
descending over the escarpment. The Steelpoort and Blyde tributaries,
and others, join the Olifants River before it enters the Kruger National
Park and neighbouring private game reserves. Crossing the Mozambique
border, the Olifants River flows into the Massingire Dam." (www.csir.co.za/rhp/state_of_rivers/state_of_crocsabieolif_01/olif_eco.htm)
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The topography is characterized in the
southern part of the catchment by rolling gently sloped hills, before
the river cuts through the Drakensberg to enter the relatively
featureless Lowveld region. Largely attributable to the topography,
distinct differences in climate occur. The climate varies from cool in
the southern Highveld region of the water management area through
temperate in the central parts to sub-tropical east of the escarpment.
The rainfall is strongly seasonal occurring mainly in summer. The mean
annual rainfall falls in the range 500 mm in the Lowveld region,
reaching 1000 mm in the mountains and reducing to 700 mm in the South in
the Mpumalanga Highveld region of the WMA. The potential evaporation is
well in excess of the rainfall. (Ref 1)
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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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