The Effect of Water Depletion

DEPLETION OF THE OLIFANTS RIVER IN THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

With "54,575 square kilometres" (Olifants River), the Olifants River is the biggest river flowing through the Kruger National Park (KNP). This river is faced with a huge depletion of water content, quality and extinction of assets. This is due to irrigation, pollution, a For the past three years there has been no rain in the low Veld resulting in  as it has not rained much in the low Veld for the past three years. Abstraction for irrigation, changes in Olifants catchment (third-world) characteristics and other uses 'have decreased the runoff from the catchment, this river has stopped flowing only twice. There are about two million people who are depending on the Olifants River. 


There are dams which are built along the Olifants River, majority of these dams are a major source for water supply as well as processes. 


The following have contributed to the major deterioration of the water quality in the Olifants: River:
1) Soil erosion is mainly caused by "overgrazing and runoffs from Rural towns and villages"(Olifants River.1994)


The activities of supplying water to land or crops to influence growth


2) The intensity of development in the industrial sector- power stations


3) "Rapid Urbanisation" ( Olifants River)


4) "Mining activities and power stations scattered across the basin"(Olifants River) contribute to increasing pollution. 
Pollution by high metals ("Refers to any metallic chemical element that has a relatively high density and is toxic or poisonous at low concentrations" (Heavy Metals) and "high silt loads ("are generated when sediment-laden releases from the Phalaborwa Barrage are made" (Olifants River). This has caused a massive decline in fish species downstream in the KNP [from the Olifants River]" (Olifants River).


5) Domestic use in the rural areas example: washing clothing


In KNP the Olifants River is divided into different pools which are naturally made where the river is too deep. As the water is deteriorating animals such as hippos are in danger, as the pools provide water which covers their bodies. The negative effect of the hippos living in the river is causing a production of an excessive quality of dung in these pools. As the dung decomposes it removes oxygen in the water, causing the fish to suffocate. Another problem presented is according to Dr. Thomas Gyedu –Ababio, who is KNP Rivers manager said that at least five hundred dead species have been found on the banks of the pool after the birds have helped themselves to yhe found fish species such as;  the Catfish, Yellow Fish and Tilapia.

"There is an argument at stake between the arms of the government and the South African National parks (SANParks). The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) and the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWARF) are proposing to build a 21-storey dam on the Olifants River" (2007). The proposed reason will 'be to feed the mining interest and agriculture' (2007). However, the Olifants depend on the Steelport River as a main resource for feeding. The problem is that the De Hoop dam will depend on the Steelport River, thus negatively affecting the Olifants. They are strongly against the idea as they depend on the SteelPoort River for water and if the new dam is built then they will struggle and suffer during the dry seasons. The complication is that"The Olifants are a major supplier of water in the KNP "(2007).   


DWARF plans to start building the R4 billion De Hoop dam on a tributary of the Olifants River. The main reason for this dam will be to feed the mining interest and agriculture. De Hoop dam will depend on the Steelpoort River and Steelpoort is the major tributary feeding the Olifants . This idea is having a negative impact on the Olifants River as it is a major supplier of the water in KNP. Olifants is depending on Steelpoort for water and if De Hoop dam is built then the Olifants River will suffer further, especially during dry seasons. Negative effects on species is currently occuring: the hippos are struggling with the little water and fishes are dying out. This will eventually lead to the death of the Olifants River. There are already signs of depletion as hippos are struggling to survive in the small amount of water and decreasing fish species.


The drying out of the Olifants River will have a negative effect on tourism, wildlife and concession areas in The KNP. One of the attractions for tourists in The KNP is to experience fishing. An entrance fee needs to be paid as well as a fishing permit. This further leads to a positive impact on the economic point in KNP. In terms of business, one of the concerns is that if the Olifants River had to run dry it could possibly cause tourists to no longer want to visit the KNP. As the Olifants River is feeding both KNP and Mozambique, the building of the dam can have some political critics. Eco - tourism is   crucial to South Africa as it is unique and like no other. Attracting tourists contributes to the economy of South Africa as well as maintaing the KNP. Instead of reconstructing the natural formation of the Olifants River, an idea could be that if DEAT and DWARF supported the conservation of the Olifants River they could influence a fight for the destruction of the river rather than building human-made dams resulting in depletion of the Olifants river.  

article taken from: http://bcb706.blogspot.com/2007/03/depletion-of-olifants-river-in-kruger.html

Photography taken by: Earth Boy