Huab River
The Huab River is an ephemeral river in the Kunene Region of north-western Namibia. Its source is southeast of Kamanjab, from where it flows westwards through Mopane savanna until it reaches the Skeleton Coast and the Atlantic Ocean. Inflows of the Huab are Klein-Omaruru, Sout, Aba-Huab, Ongwati and Klip. Huab's catchment area (including its tributaries) is estimated to be between 14,800[1] and 16,465 km2 (6,357 sq mi),[2] and includes the town of Khorixas as well as the settlements Kamanjab, Fransfontein, and Anker. The Twyfelfontein World Heritage Site is located on the banks of the Aba Huab.[1]
| Huab River | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | southeast of Kamanjab |
| • location | Kunene Region |
| Mouth | Atlantic Ocean |
• coordinates | 20°55′04″S 13°27′24″E |
• elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Length | c.300 km (190 mi) |
| Basin size | 14,800 km2 (5,700 sq mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Klein Omaruru River, Sout River, Aba Huab River |
| • right | Ongwati River, Klip River |
The scenery is remarkably varied and dramatic: camelthorn, mopane and ana trees line the sides of the riverbed, huge sandy valleys are dotted with gigantic boulder outcrops and rocky hills, red-rock mountains punctuate the horizon, and massive sand dunes studded with black volcanic rocks make the elephants walking below them seem tiny.
The Huab is well known for its Desert elephant population which endangers farming activities but is also a potential tourist attraction.[1]
References
- Jacobson, Peter J.; Jacobson, Kathryn M.; Seely, Mary K. (1995). Ephemeral rivers and their catchments: Sustaining people and development in western Namibia (PDF 8.7MB). Windhoek: Desert Research Foundation of Namibia. pp. 132–133. ISBN 9991670947.
- Strohbach, B.J. (2008). "Mapping the Major Catchments of Namibia" (PDF 1.0MB). Agricola. 2008: 63–73. ISSN 1015-2334. OCLC 940637734.