MOLOPO RIVER: Topography, geology and soils

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Map of the MOLOPO River

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TOPOGRAPHY
    GEOLOGY                                    
    SOILS                                    
The western portion of Upper Molopo catchment is underlain by Basement granite. This is covered with an increasing thickness of Kalahari sand to the west. A mostly intrusive volcanic rock assemblage (Allanridge lava) lies to the east of Mafikeng. Significant aquifers are present locally north of Slurry. The aquifers tend to be relatively shallow.   (Ref 1)

Moderate to deep clay loam soils occur in most of the Upper Molopo catchment with moderate to deep sandy soils in the lower reaches. 

The moderate to deep clay loam soils are not the ideal soils for irrigation farming because although they have a reasonably high water holding capacity they are not readily penetrable by water. (Ref 1)

The northern and western part of the Molopo River, is mainly underlain by sedimentary formations and covered by Kalahari sands. (Ref 2)
  References                                      

Ref 1:  Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, South Africa. 2004. Crocodile (West) and Marico Water Management Area: Internal Strategic Perspective of the Marico-Upper Molopo & Upper Ngotwane catchments. Prepared by Goba Moahloli Keeve Steyn in association with Golder and Associates and Tlou and Matji (Pty) Ltd. DWAF Report No. P WMA 03/000/00/0404

Ref 2:  Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, South Africa. 2004. Lower Vaal Water Management Area: Internal Strategic Perspective. Prepared by PDNA, WRP Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd, WMB and Kwezi-V3 on behalf of the Directorate: National Water Resource Planning. DWAF Report No P WMA 10/000/00/0304)

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