Metsimotlhabe River

The Metsimotlhabe River is the largest river in the Kweneng District of Botswana, draining the area that lies to the south of Molepolole into the Notwane River, in turn a tributary of the Limpopo River.[1] The name "Metsimotlhabe" means "water sand river".[2]

Metsimotlhabe River
Location
CountryBotswana
Physical characteristics
Mouth 
 • location
Notwane River
Metsimotlhabe River is located in Botswana
Metsimotlhabe River
Location of the mouth of the Metsimotlhabe River on the Notwane River 24.443633°S 26.081107°E / -24.443633; 26.081107

The Bokaa Dam was built in 1990/1991 by damming the Metsimotlhabe River just south of Bokaa village.[3] Surface drainage in the sandveld surrounding the Metsimotlhabe is limited to pans and dry valleys, which rarely carry surface water.[1] Sand extraction from the riverbed has caused problems, since this lowers the water table and causes the surrounding vegetation to die.[4] This is a significant economic activity in the District.[5] In June 2012 a spokesperson for the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources pointed out that demand was high due to the boom in housing caused by the growing affluence of the country.[6]

References

Citations

  1. Kweneng District Council 2002, p. 3.
  2. Metsimotlhabe.
  3. Bokaa Dam - Birdlife International.
  4. Kweneng District Council 2002, p. 34.
  5. Kweneng District Council 2002, p. 123.
  6. Mathala 2012.

Sources

  • "Bokaa Dam". Birdlife International. Retrieved 2012-09-18.
  • Kweneng District Council (July 2002). "KWENENG DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PLAN 6: 2003 – 2009". Retrieved 2012-09-19.
  • Mathala, Oaitse (27 June 2012). "River sand is diminishing". The Botswana Gazette. Retrieved 2012-09-19.
  • "Metsimotlhabe". Archived from the original on 2012-03-31. Retrieved 2012-09-19.
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