STATE-OF-RIVERS REPORT UMNGENI RIVER AND NEIGHBOURING RIVERS AND STREAMS

2002 PRODUCT OF THE RIVER HEALTH PROGRAMME

Design and production: Loretta Steyn Graphic Design Studio DISCLAIMER CONTRIBUTORS PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS CONTEXT for use. endorsement or recommendation or commercial products constitute nor does mention of trade names the views and policies of the WRC, the contents necessarily reflect Approval does not indicate that and approved for publication. Commission Research the Water has been reviewedThis report by refer to the back of this report. For the full list of contributors, over a number of years. by several organisations that has been accumulated is based on data This report University of Natal Environmentek CSIR eThekwini Municipality Umgeni Water Water Research Commission of EnvironmentalDepartment Affairs and Tourism of Department Water Affairs and Forestry the River Health Programme in KwaZulu-Natal. of the implementation 1992 and 2002 as part uMhlatuzana and uMbilo rivers between uMlazi, surveys that were conducted on the uMngeni, This report is based on the findings of river SNN:1 86845 899 7 ISBN No: Pretoria Water Research Commission 200/02 WRC report no.TT rivers and streams uMngeni River and neighbouring State-of-Rivers Report WRC 2002. Suggested citation: http://www .csir .co .za/rhp/ C ONTENTS IHO H MGN IE 32 30 26 CONTRIBUTORS 34 REFERENCES HISTORICAL RIVER UMNGENI THE 22 OF 28 A HISTORICAL DESCRIPTION 24 FISH OF THE UMNGENI RIVER DAMS RIVERS AND URBAN SUMMARY DIAGRAM OF STATE 20 OF RIVERS 14 16 UMLAZI RESOURCE UNIT 18 LOWER UMNGENI RESOURCE UNIT 12 INANDA RESOURCE UNIT PIETERMARITZBURG RESOURCE UNIT 10 UPPER UMSUNDUZE RESOURCE UNIT ALBERT FALLS RESOURCE UNIT MIDMAR RESOURCE UNIT 2 REPORT READ THIS HOW TO OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY AREA NEIGHBOURING UMNGENI AND INTRODUCTION ACMN CRGOS8 CATCHMENT ECOREGIONS ie elhcasfcto 6 4 7 3 2 State-of-Rivers (SoR) reporting River health classification Measuring river health The River Health Programme Why know about river health?

1 2 services. health of our rivers and their ability to provide these goods and we must look after the overgoods the long term, and services In order to protect our ability to use and benefit from river my). as health would refer to the condition of a person or an econo- in the same way health" simply refers to the condition of a river, (The term "river dependent on the ecological health of a river. is thereforetained use of a range goods and services directly The sus- a river when system is impaired. quality and/or quantity, or reduced in diversity, maySome goods and services be lost, and industrial production). agricultural such as swimming) and economic growth (e.g. ation, recre- social needs (e.g. support Other uses of goods and services such as water for drinking and subsistence fishing. human survival, providedSome goods and services by rivers for are important picnics on the river banks or perform baptisms in river pools. have reeds, harvest we may fish, for irrigating crops from rivers, we obtain drinking water and For example, river systems. or indirectly provided dependent on the goods and services by Human and economic well-being are directly People need rivers. TO KNOW ABOUT RIVER HEALTH? I WHY IS IT IMPORTANT NTRODUCTION management. of sound rivercontributes to informed decision-making in support that the Riverhealth monitoring and reporting Health Programme It is in the field of river appropriate and trusted information. we need In order to make informed decisions, made jointly. should be need from our rivers and the way we share the benefits, the decisions around what we want and Therefore, and services. the decisions that change their ability to deliver a range of goods by the health of our rivers and by directly or indirectly, affected, and economic growthMany aspects of our survival are critically Why be involved? (or away from) a defined goal. track changes in river health and therefore our progress towards information collected over a period of time also allows us to River health a preferred range and quality of goods and services. achieving a desired river state that would ensure the provision of river health we can set goals and decide on action steps for helps us to manage our rivers because with an understanding of information This of impacts that a river system can absorb. sorts It also tells us about the ular state of the river system can deliver. that a partic- us about the range and quality of goods and services Why do we Information need this report? about river health tells NsogeiCthetPoet,CSIR and Alletson Ecologicals. (Ntshongweni Catchment Project), Group Farmer Support KZN Wildlife, of Zululand and Natal, Mhlatuze Universities Water, eThekwini Municipality, Bay Minerals, Umgeni Richards Water,The Umlaas IrrigationCommission, Board, including the DWAF, the Townthen, and Regional Planning A cross-section of organisations have contributed since in 1997. mentation team for KZN was elected at an open workshop The imple- be possible for any one organisation working alone. implementation teams can achieve goals that would not resources, Through actively working together and sharing skills ally under the leadership of a Provincial Champion. usu- province has a network of implementers who work together, Each provincial level where collaboration plays role. an important RHP activities are co-ordinated at a (WRC) are key partners. Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) and the Water Research Commission DWAF plays the lead role of Environmental while the Department At the national level, critical for the success of programme. The River Health Programme that are consists of partnerships A collaborative venture vide an integrated measure of the health river systems. Together, they pro- riparian vegetation and river habitats). brates, aquatic inverte- communities in and around rivers (such as fish, which is based on the assessment of condition biological What does the RHP do? The programme generates information goods and services. river of system is causing undesirable changes in the delivery able utilisation and also to flag areas where deterioration of the the programme aims to be explicit in identifying areas of sustain- through river health reporting, At the same time, sound manner. in an objective and scientifically the ecological state of our rivers, develop a capacity and information on base to enable us report What is the objective of the RHP? This programme is designed to (RHP) in 1994. DWAF initiated the River Health Programme a result, As tions. their use and associated benefits for current and future genera- to protect and in doing so, tinue to provide goods and services, includes the protection of the ability river ecosystems to con- This responsibility custodian of our country’s water resources. of The Department Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) is the Background THE RIVER HEALTH PROGRAMME future developments. for the planning of and providing guidance impacts are occurring environmental indicating where in state over time, as well as changes of ecosystems current state about the for information This act calls (including rivers). of ecosystems and the protection environment use of the the sustainable with governing largely concerned the NEMA which is The RHP also supports and animals. tion as well as the characteristics and distribution of aquatic plants into account the characteristics of in-stream and riparian vegeta- The law also requires that river protection measures should take evidence of environmentalcan be used to support degradation. RHP results For example, (NEMA) and the National Water Act. contained in the National Environmental Management Act legal principles certain be used to support ing results can in turn, health of aquatic ecosystems is monitored and the RHP monitor- The Water Act requires that the aligned with legal requirements: RHP activities and outputs are strongly African act of parliament, Although the RHP is not specifically mandated by any South public to makemanagers and the participating decisions. by providing river health information that will be needed by both this management process The RHP supports all interested parties. rivers) at the catchment scale and through by joint participation achieve this would be to manage aquatic ecosystems (including National Water Act (1998) recognises that the best way to The is the central objective of South Africa’s water policy. efficient and sustainable use of our water resources The equitable, Legal context of the RHP

3 5 4 I NTRODUCTION

MEASURING RIVER HEALTH INDEX OF HABITAT INTEGRITY (IHI) Habitat availability sedimentation or scouring of the river bottom, alteration of the FISH ASSEMBLAGE INTEGRITY INDEX and diversity are major determinants of the suite of fauna and water quality by the addition of contaminants, and changes in the (FAII) – Fish, being relatively long-lived and Many factors influence the health of a river ecosystem: viz. geo- flora found in a specific ecosystem. Therefore, knowledge of the natural flow regime of the river due to the presence of dams mobile, are good indicators of longer term morphological characteristics, hydrological and hydraulic process- quality of habitats is very important in an overall assessment of and/or major abstractions. influences on a river reach and the general es, chemical and physical water quality and the nature of instream ecosystem health. The IHI is designed to assess the impact of habitat conditions within the reach. and riparian habitats. Measuring each of these in detail would be major disturbances on river ecosystems. Disturbances include The IHI assessment of the uMngeni catchment was not conducted The number of species of fish that occur in a specific reach, their impractical. The RHP therefore focuses on selected ecological water abstraction, flow regulation and river channel modification. using the full method due to cost constraints. The method used sensitivity to various forms of disturbances as well as factors such indicator groups that are representative of the larger ecosystem The index accounts for both the condition of the riparian zone was a "desktop" method that made use of expert local knowledge as different size classes and the condition of fish, can be used as and are feasible to measure. In this way complex data, collected and instream habitats: to answer a range of questions forming a matrix, from which the indicators of river health. The FAII integrates such characteristics for each indicator group, can be summarised and expressed in a IHI score was derived. of a fish assemblage.The output of the FAII is an expression of the format that is easy to understand.The following indices were used Riparian zone - This provides habitat for degree to which a fish assemblage deviates from what would have to assess the health of the uMngeni and neighbouring rivers: aquatic and terrestrial species, contributes SOUTH AFRICAN SCORING SYSTEM been expected in the absence of human impacts. Fish data for the towards maintaining the form of the river (SASS) index for aquatic invertebrates – A uMngeni catchment were unfortunately not in a format that could WATER QUALITY INDEX channel and serves as filters for sediment, variety of invertebrate organisms (e.g. insect lar- be used for the proper implementation of the FAII and no moni- This index is based on data collected by Umgeni nutrients and light. The structure and function vae, snails, crabs, worms) require specific aquatic toring programmes have yet been implemented for fish assess- Water and eThekwini Municipality as part of of riparian vegetation are altered with vegetation removal, habitat types and water quality conditions for at ment in the catchment. As a result, a simpler method had to be their routine monitoring programmes. The cultivation, construction, inundation, erosion, sedimentation and least part of their life cycle. Changes in the composition and used. This "bench-top" method assessed existing (historical) index combines a range of water quality vari- invasion by alien vegetation within or close to the riparian zone. structure of aquatic invertebrate communities are signs of change knowledge of the diversity of species and fish habitats, the ables that are the most useful for indicating deteriorating water in overall river condition. As most invertebrates are relatively presence of important or rare species, and the presence of quality, and which indicate most clearly the potential for obtaining Instream habitat - This will vary depending short-lived and remain in one area during their aquatic life phase, invasive species, in a matrix that gave an overall score. goods and services from this water. Variables included in this on the substrate, with a wide diversity of habi- they are particularly good indicators of localised conditions in a The information used was not always current, so recent changes index are E. coli (indicating degree of faecal contamination), tats supporting a wider diversity of organisms, river over the short term (months). The SASS is a relatively in the fish population may have been missed. turbidity, conductivity, nitrate, ammonia, total and soluble forms although some rivers are naturally poor in habi- simple index that is based on the families of aquatic invertebrates of phosphorus, suspended solids and total organic carbon. tat diversity. Disturbances include excessive present at a site. 7 6 I NTRODUCTION

RIVER HEALTH CLASSIFICATION goods and services to a range of users is severely compromised. For example, while a highly polluted river continues to provide a Once river health indices are measured, they need to be mining the health of the river. In order to standardise the output service to industry in getting rid of its waste, the detrimental interpreted within a framework that allows us to compare the of the different indices as well as to allow comparison of the effects of this pollution to others may be unacceptable. health of one monitoring site (or river system) with another. health of different river systems, a river health classification is An ecoregion classification system was used to delineate used. Each index is calibrated so that its results can be expressed Each river health class represents a combination of human Industrial effluent ecological boundaries that allow us to assess the health of the as a river health class. impacts. We need to make decisions around these impacts uMngeni and uMlazi Rivers. knowing that: River health classes can be expressed in terms of ecological and our choices affect the state of the river ecosystem and Ecoregions are regions of broad ecological similarity (see page 8). management perspectives. its ability to deliver specified benefits; In other words, rivers that occur within a particular ecoregion will our choices around goods and services affect the opportunity be more similar to each other than to rivers in other ecoregions. Each of the river health classes is associated with a level of for others to benefit (i.e. there is always a trade-off); our choices may affect the opportunity for future generations For example, the Midmar Dam resource unit in this report (p.14) ecosystem health, and the potential to offer a particular range of Darvill effluent is divided into two regions, an upper and lower. These are two goods and services. For example, a section of river in a Natural to benefit; and distinct ecoregions. Variation in natural characteristics such as, Class may be most suitable for conservation and tourism, and the impacts of our choices cannot necessarily climate, geology, physiography and vegetation as well as river even though it could be used for agriculture, the socio-economic be reversed – easily, or at all. habitat and the distribution of biota, was used to delineate the returns on the latter activity might be much smaller compared to Each one of our activities within a catchment, ecoregions. Because they represent units of ecological similarity, the conservation and tourism option. Similarly, a choice could be indirectly or directly drives changes in river health. ecoregions provide convenient boundaries within which to do made whether to use a Good Class river as a source of drinking It is only when we start to understand how our ecological assessments and to set goals for an improved state of water, or for agriculture, or for tourism, or some combination of own and others’ activities affect rivers and their the river ecosystem. these. A river in the Fair Class may have lost its capacity to serve ability to provide us with benefits, that we will Death in the Dorpspruit some of these potential users. An example may be a river that be able to make wise and fair trade-offs around River Health Classes contains salt pollution as a result of providing a service to indus- the mixture of impacts and benefits that will be try. This river would no longer be ideal for use by agriculture, but acceptable to the catchment community. The results that are obtained by applying the biological and habitat this may be considered as acceptable from a management point of indices during a river survey provide the information for deter- view. In the Poor Class, a river’s ability to provide a wide range of STATE-OF-RIVERS (SoR) REPORTING

River Health Class Ecological perspective Management perspective State of the Environment (SoE) reporting, led by DEAT, has developed over the past decade in NATURAL No or negligible modification of in-stream Protected rivers; relatively untouched by response to a need for appropriate information and riparian habitats and biota. human hands; no discharges or impound- to assist with environmental decision-making. ments allowed. The national SoE report for South Africa uses the Driving Force-Pressure-State-Impact-Response GOOD Ecosystems essentially in good state; Some human-related disturbance but framework to explain what is causing environ- biodiversity largely intact . mostly of low impact potential. mental change, how good or bad the conditions are and what we can and are doing about it. FAIR Sensitive species may be lost; Multiple disturbances associated with

lower abundances of biological populations need for socio-economic development, In response to the need for improved environ- are likely to occur, or sometimes, e.g. impoundment, habitat modification mental reporting, this State-of-Rivers (SoR) higher abundances of tolerant or and water quality degradation. report, the third one of a series, is designed to opportunistic species occur. assist ecologically sound management of the uMngeni and its neighbouring rivers, so POOR Habitat diversity and availability have Often characterised by high human that these rivers can deliver an optimal declined; mostly only tolerant species densities or extensive resource range of goods and services to people, and present; species present are often diseased; exploitation. Management intervention inform and educate the people of South Africa population dynamics have been disrupted is needed to improve river health – about the state of health of these rivers and (e.g. biota can no longer reproduce or alien e.g. to restore flow patterns, the importance of ensuring sustained benefits Upper uMngeni River species have invaded the ecosystem). river habitats or water quality. from them through wise management. 8 Average air temperature: Average altitude: Soil: Geology: undulating hills and lowlands Terrain: Cymbopogon-Themeda and transition to highland sourveld Veld type: MIDLAND MOUNTAIN STREAMS: MAR: MAP: Average air temperature: Average altitude: Soil: & 16% sandstones Geology: Terrain: and Dohne sourveld 30% highland sourveld Veld type: MIDLAND FOOTHILL STREAMS: MAR: MAP: river sites within one ecoregion will be ecologically similar. Ideally, is used to make meaningful comparisons between riverrivers health scores. This categorisation of An ecoregion is an area of ecological similarity. U 5 eldandsis 33% shallow soils on weathering rock 55% well-drained soils; 4 eldandsis 25% shallow soils on weathering rock 64% well-drained soils; 930mm 195mm 720mm 175mm 9 ihmutis with a mix of low mountains, 29% high mountains, Low mountains (41%) and undulating hills lowlands (40%) 6 oeie 8 hls siltstones & sandstones 38% shales, 46% dolerite; 42% shales and siltstones with 35% dolerite M Dominated by (75%) 41% Ngongoni veld of Natal mist-belt with GN N EGBUIGCATCHMENTECOREGIONS NEIGHBOURING NGENI AND 1 200m 1 600m veld veld 15 15 o o C C 875km uMsunduze catchment size: October and March. Rainfall strongly seasonal with > 80% falling between 1 070 – 360mm uMlazi: 1 360 – 2 040mm uMngeni: Mean annual evaporation (MAE): 72 – 173mm uMlazi: 72 – 680mm uMngeni: Mean annual runoff (MAR): 410 – 1 100mm uMlazi: 410 – 1 450mm uMngeni: Mean annual precipitation (MAP): 970km uMlazi catchment size: 4416km uMngeni catchment size: CATCHMENT STATISTICS 2 2 2 river length 172km , length 115km tributary , river length 255km from source to mouth; , uMnsunduze River uMlazi River uMngeni River a ore Umgeni WaterMap source: MAR: Average air temperature: Average altitude: Soil: granites and shales. Geology: undulating mountains with 21% plains Terrain: Veld type: SANDY LOWLAND STREAMS: MAR: MAP: MAP: Average air temperature: Average altitude: and poorly drained soils (20%) Soil: 21% Natal red-brown sandstones Geology: undulating hills and lowlands. low mountains, tains, Terrain: 12% Pondoland coastal plateau sourveld with 13% Ngongoni veld of Natal mist-belt and Veld type: SAVANNAH STREAMS: Average air temperature: Average altitude: well drained soils Soil: Geology: Terrain: Veld type: COASTAL BELT STREAMS: MAR: MAP: Average air temperature: Average altitude: well-drained soils Soil: sandstones Geology: and lowlands Terrain: Veld type: VALLEY BUSHVELD STREAMS: MAR: MAP: 2 eldandsis shallow (30%) 42% well-drained soils; 5 hlo ol nwahrn ok 25% 55% shallow soils on weathering rock; 60% shallow soils on weathering rock 5 hlo ol nwahrn ok 42% 45% shallow soils on weathering rock; 890mm 720mm 940mm 120mm 95mm 890mm 200mm 100mm A mix of highly dissected undulating moun- Low mountains (39%) with 27% dominated by (60%) highly dissected plains 8 aa e-rw adtns 24% 58% Natal red-brown sandstones; 6 ee e ad,39% beach sands 56% Berea red sands, 23% Natal red-brown 30% granites; 36% shales and siltstones; 98% coastal forest and thornveld 99% valley bushveld dominated by (66%) Ngongoni veld, 91% coastal forest and thornveld < 200m < 200m 700m 650m 20 18 20 20 o o o o C C C C

9 10 (1988 – 1997) was most Past economic growth respectively. and 11.7% to this figure districts contributed 57.5% Pietermaritzburg magisterial The Durban and GGP). 1997 (nearly 15% of the SA the WMA was R26 billion in Geographic Product (GGP) of The Gross the study area. which includes Area (WMA), Management uMzimkulu Water here is based on the uMvoti to The economic information SOCIAL PROFILE ECONOMIC AND Thicket & Bushland : 17% of catchment 32% of catchment O Grasslands : EVE FTESTUDY THE VERVIEW OF contributor.important is becoming an increasingly The informal economic sector most significant future growth. sectors are likely to show the The trade and manufacturing Future growth: finance. government and trade, paper), food and leather, machinery, metals, are manufacturing (e.g. Largest contributors to GGP Current growth: agricultural sectors. and community services trade, notable in the electricity, if all these needs and activities are to be sustainable. ning is necessary and careful plan- cultural and ecological importance major economic, The region is one of of intense urban and industrial development. These range natural from areas conserved to areas land uses. varying The uMngeni and neighbouring catchments form a region of widely Maicthet 812 700 uMlazi catchment: 753 400; 1 catchment: uMngeni Total population: people per km 5000 and over 20 000 dense populations (between Rate of unemployment is person is R15 100 Average annual income per 24% English 76% Zulu, approximately Language: Coloured 3% 16% White, Asian, 17% 64% Black, Population: ple per km mostly < 2500 peo- density: Population distribution and and Chatsworth areas Pietermaritzburg Durban, 2 , with very with , 2 ) in the provision criteria literacy and service activity, based on economic WMA), (compared to 0.37 of the catchment) is 0.23 Poverty index (uMngeni holds have piped water 63% of house- Sanitation: economy is active in the formal 56.8% of the population 29.3%) 27.9% (national average is a ore Umgeni WaterMap source: Forestry plantations : 17% of catchment 18% of catchment Cultivated crops and pastures: A REA Water use (uMngeni catchment) (% of available water) water availability) have not been quantified. (besides The value and use of other river services from the uMkhomazi River is being considered. water import future demand is expected and further increased Despite effective water demand management, the economy of the area would be compromised. Dam, water transferred from the Mooi River to Midmar Without current additional the river’s ability to supply. Water demand in the uMngeni catchment has outstripped ht:Springfield flats Photo: omre6% 8% 8% 12% 11% 23% Commerce Industry Distribution Losses 22% 10% Irrigation Water to maintain the river ecosystem Afforestation evaporation) System Losses (e.g Domestic 12% of catchment 3% of catchment Degraded land: Urban:

11 12 EOREUNIT RESOURCE at the headwaters. large wetlands as well as rivers, the uMngeni and Lions Dam wall and including upstream of Midmar H uMsunduze River. reaches of the including the upper UMSUNDUZE RESOURCE MIDMAR UPPER WT EDTHIS REPORT READ TO OW UNIT resource units for reporting purposes. resource units for reporting was organised into seven rivers neighbouring health information forThe river the uMngeni and EOREUNIT RESOURCE MARITZBURG Pietermaritzburg. River flowing through with the uMsunduze PIETER- EOREUNIT RESOURCE EOREUNIT RESOURCE and iMpolweni tributaries. including the Karkloof, Dam to Nagle Dam, River from below Midmar including the uMngeni LETFALLS ALBERT tributaries. Sterkspruit and Wekeweke unit includes the This resource airport. to the coast near Durban from the Midland foothills N NAGLE AND UMLAZI OE UMNGENI LOWER EOREUNIT RESOURCE Thousand Hills. includes the Valley of a This unit Pietermaritzburg. uMsunduze River below Inanda Dam and the from below Nagle Dam to including the uMngeni River, Rivers. the uMbilo and uMhlatuzana and the Blue Lagoon estuary along the flat coastal plain, including the uMngeni River N DURBAN AND RESOURCE INANDA UNIT the way in which we manage these. and derive from rivers with changes to their ecological state, so that we areservices able to link the types of benefits we also addresses the report river goods and But, river health. health and the actions we plan to perform in order to improve the drivers of present that we on the present report health, National guidelines require Information was chosen deliberately. responses. or management river goods and services impacts, drivers, one resource unit are also highlighted and these may deal with Topics interest in any of particular resourcethe particular unit. management actions that are needed to improve river health in derived fromgoods and services the river system and the key of a summary drivers of river health, the present health, unit, an introduction to the resource i.e. same type of information, resourceEach page that deals with a particular unit shows the interest in these catchments. particular Resource unit information pages are followed and overviews by of river issues of a summary while the uMlazi catchment forms a resource unit on its own. drainage areas of the major dams, with several corresponding to the The uMngeni catchment was divided into six resource units, which are used by to make ecological ecologists assessments. and managers to ecoregions, because people can relate to sub-catchments (often associated with dams) much better than but also because it is a sensible geographic unit for river management, partly of reporting A resource unit is a sub-catchment of the larger study area that was chosen as a unit last decade. and these are based on river health data collected over the are shown habitat quality etc.) by means of icons population, aspects of the current state of the river (condition of fish different In this report, have taken place prior to the survey. all the natural as well as human induced disturbances that state of the river and it reflects the response of the river to hs rsue.Knowing about the driving forces and these pressures. driving forces refer to the human activities which create while factors that have an impact on the health of river, Pressures and driving forces. The present health REPORTING FORMAT is a measure of the current ecological Pressures are those prioritise management actions. how to make their response more effective and how to (through changes to management strategies and policy), how people should respond to problems being done, Management actions. sand). stone, wood, (reeds, processing of pollutants and the provision of building materials the dilution and surface for recreation (and associated tourism), a and crabs from the river and fruits from the riparian zone), food (for example fish manufacturing and crop irrigation, tion, power genera- washing, cooking, rivers are water for drinking, that we get from Some of the goods and services economy. and they of our formthese goods a familiar part and services use and trade of People benefit from the harvest, human life. ecosystem processes and products that sustain and support Goods and services improve river health. helps us to decide what actions may present health and in turn, pressures on a river provides insight into why the river is in its and services bring costs as well as benefits to differentand services users. the use of river goods Thus, tion downstream of the factory. crop irriga- affect water quality and make it unsuitable for say, This process may water to the river with an altered chemistry. but at the same time it may return river water as a coolant, may a factory use For example, state of the river ecosystem. also influences (or drives) the The use of goods and services provided range of goods and services byparticular the river. state of the river ecosystem enables us to use a A particular provided by rivers refer to the river These refer to what is currently

13 14 M IDMAR RESOURCE UNIT 15

uMngeni River just above Midmar Mooi-uMngeni interbasin transfer> uMngeni Vlei

TROUT IN WETLANDS IN THE UPPER THE UMNGENI UMNGENI RIVER CATCHMENT iMpofana River

Brown trout (introduced Wetlands in this catchment are here in 1890) are found in most abundant upstream of the upper uMngeni River Midmar Dam, and those in the while rainbow trout (used headwaters are known as "the for recreational angling) uMngeni sponge". Some of these are found in dams of the wetlands are formally conserved, upper catchment. (protected by KZN Wildlife) and they are important breeding areas Although breeding takes RIPARIAN place in some streams for the threatened wattled crane. WEED where suitable gravel beds CONTROL exist, reproduction in the Many of the catchment’s wetlands streams is limited and have been destroyed by human A study by Umgeni Water in the MANAGEMENT INTRODUCTION PRESENT HEALTH DRIVING FORCES GOODS & SERVICES populations are generally main- activities and the state of the iMpofana catchment (below PRIORITIES tained by the annual introduction remaining wetlands varies greatly. Michaelhouse School) showed how of trout reared in hatcheries. Some are in good condition while effective the removal of alien vege- The uMngeni River rises in the Water quality in this resource Damage to wetlands is wide- This is the main water catchment Prevent further loss of others are degraded and their tation is in improving water yield. unit is generally Good. spread (see page 15). for the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) wetlands and protect existing Trout, being an alien predator, add original functions impaired. Thus, leaving these trees to grow uMngeni Vlei area, an ancient Riparian habitats are degraded Plantation forests contribute to Midlands, providing high quality wetlands. a new component to the aquatic Currently, the most significant and spread would cause a substan- wetland surrounded by a rim by invasive trees such as wattles, excessive sedimentation and potable water right down to Kloof Plantation forests should ecosystem.The most obvious threats to wetlands here are culti- tial decline in future water yield. continue to be managed sen- gums and pines but are in Good destabilisation of riverbanks. and the Inanda valley. impact on the uMngeni resulting vation, artificial drainage, dams and of hills, at the west end of the sitively, and options for new condition. These trees (as well as invasive Wetlands contribute to the from trout angling has been the urbanization (especially in the Alien plants require ongoing plantings restricted. Instream habitat is Good, alien plants) also use a lot of sustained provision of water construction of more farm dams. Pietermaritzburg and Durban management but their removal is catchment 1 760m above sea Continued alien plant man- although the large number of farm water, over-shade the river and through dry periods and even main- Trout prey on indigenous animals areas), alien plant invasion, over- cheaper than investing capital in level. From its source, the agement, in and outside of dams have modified water flow, displace indigenous vegetation. tained supply during the the riparian zone. Recent but the impact appears to be mini- grazing and too frequent burning. infrastructure such as pumping uMngeni River flows eastward which in turn affects downstream The construction of Midmar droughts in the early 1980s and improvements in the manage- mal. Frogs are preyed on both as At the highest altitudes, approxi- schemes or new dams. There are habitats. Dam transformed what used to 1990s. ment of plantations and alien adults and as tadpoles although a mately half of the original wetland also numerous other benefits. through rolling pastoral land- Invertebrate condition appears be a large natural wetland.There Water is used for pasture irriga- plants by forest companies large portion of the frog popula- area has been lost, while below this Since the project started in 1999, scape and is joined by the close to Natural. Fish are in good are also numerous farm dams in tion, forestry and other forms of and Umgeni Water are tion is inaccessible to fish preda- the loss has been greater than it has provided income to more condition but lower down are only the catchment. See p. 30 for dryland agriculture. commendable. tors. The indigenous Natal moun- 60%. than 160 rural families and has Lions River before flowing into Piggery and dairy effluents in Fair condition due to the impact more detail about the impact of Value of conserving rare and tain catfish is preyed on by trout been used as a vehicle to educate and sediment and nutrient Midmar Dam, a popular sport of aliens (trout, carp and bass) and dams on river health. endangered habitats and species, but they occur in streams that are The continued loss and degrada- children about environmental loads from lands under maize invasive indigenous catfish. For Agriculture, in particular dairies, e.g. wattled crane of the uMngeni too small for trout and their tion of uMngeni wetlands is serious concerns. Trade has also been and recreation resource. and pasture should be man- most biota the upper reaches of piggeries and maize production, vlei and the endemic mountain cryptic lifestyle reduces their given their positive impact on river generated through new micro- aged. the uMngeni and Lions Rivers are impact moderately on river malachite dragonfly. Also present is vulnerability. Crabs and aquatic health by purifying water, control- The river channel is narrow, Pollution from the growing enterprises such as fire-wood and in better condition than down- health through excessive nutri- the rare plant Hydrostachys which insects are a notable item in the ling erosion and regulating water charcoal production. Other bene- overhung by grassed banks, Mphophomeni settlement stream towards Midmar Dam. ent input into rivers. grows on requires management. trout diet. Some species are flow through the catchment. fits include reduced soil erosion fine-leaved shrubs and occa- The interbasin transfer of water waterfalls in this area. Water savings through water subject to predation more than by improving indigenous vegetation from the Mooi River to the The river and the many dams in demand management can be others, but anything more than a Forestry companies in the area are cover, improving the status of sional trees. River habitats The sharptooth catfish uMngeni system is a potential the area provide for sport and redirected to maintain and local reduction in abundance contributing to wetland restoration wetlands and increasing the area (barbel) although indigenous to threat to the health of both river recreation. Indigenous (the KZN improve river health and thus seems unlikely. In the uMngeni by removing plantation trees here are predominantly riffles KZN, never originally occurred for stock grazing. river-based goods and upstream of Howick Falls. Today systems through flow alteration yellowfish is a demon to catch!) River, trout are nowhere present in planted within wetland areas in the and pools. Cascades are services. it is an alien species in Midmar and genetic mixing of biota. and alien fish e.g. trout in cool large numbers and the measurable catchment. Since the start of this project, the Proper fire management is Dam and upstream! headwater streams and dams, are effect on invertebrate prey is likely Department of Agriculture has common due to hard dolerite needed, as excessive burning popular catches here. Midmar to be minimal. grouped invasive alien plants rock. The main land use in can negatively affect wetland Dam is a hub for water sports vegetation, damage mist belt according to their potential impact. this region is forestry and including the famous Midmar Mile forests and impair the soil’s The presence of trout is the For example, a Category 2 invader that draws thousands of swimmers ability to absorb rainwater. subject of an ongoing controversy such as black wattle, may only be agriculture. each year. as many feel that trout have no grown under controlled circum- place in South African rivers. stances. 17 16 A LBERT FALLS RESOURCE UNIT

A RARE CRUSTACEAN OF THE UMNGENI RIVER

Potamonautes dentatus (left) is a river crab found in the uMngeni River, discovered here in 1992. This No large species favours fast-running data water and can sometimes be seen climbing the vertical cracks in the rocks in the Albert Falls waterfall.

No data

uMngeni River between Albert Falls and Nagle Dams

Hydrostachys MANAGEMENT EXTINCTION IN INTRODUCTION PRESENT HEALTH DRIVING FORCES GOODS & SERVICES A VERY RARE PRIORITIES THE KARKLOOF AQUATIC PLANT RIVER Bass fishing competition Below Midmar Dam, the Water quality in this resource Angling is very popular in Hydrostachys polymorpha is a small uMngeni plunges over the 111m unit is Good although only Fair in this resource unit, not only in fern-like plant that grows in fast the iMpolweni River. the two large dams, but also currents, clinging to the rocky sub- high Howick Falls and into the Riparian habitat in the upper in the rivers (see page 33). strate of waterfalls and rapids. uMngeni Valley where remnants reaches is badly affected by Albert Falls has been uMngeni River below Hydrostachys is sensitive to chang- Albert Falls Dam of midland forest can be seen. agriculture and forestry although considered one of the ing temperatures (especially below better in the Umgeni Valley Nature world’s top bass dams. dams) and excessive silt in the The Karkloof tributary then joins Define desirable Reserve. In the lower bushveld Water releases from Albert Falls Tourism and recreation especial- The river carries water to water. It is found fairly widely in river health below before the uMngeni flows into Dam (above) are particularly ly around Howick Falls, is based reaches, riparian habitat is Good Albert Falls and Nagle Dams Midmar and Albert Falls Ephemera mooiana the upper reaches of the uMngeni "unnatural" as flows tend to be largely on and around the river. Albert Falls Dam. Approaching despite vegetation encroachment which are the main supply Dams and from this (especially the Karkloof tributary) Msinsi Holdings offer a tourist Albert Falls, the uMngeni mean- into the river channel. highest in the dry winter reservoirs for the greater determine the amount, The Karkloof mist-belt forests, and neighbouring rivers. months, and low during summer. package based on the river and with their giant yellowwood trees, ders through grassed farmland, Instream habitat of the Karkloof Durban area, supplying more quality and flow pattern River is Good and even Natural in This flow pattern can disrupt the two large dams that includes than 400 million litres of of water needed to have over the years been heavily where the riverbanks are treeless REEDS the lower reaches. In the uMngeni ecological processes (see p.30). game viewing, water-skiing, sail- water per day for mainly maintain the river harvested and cleared for agricul- or invaded by woody alien plants. River, the influence of dams At Nagle Dam, bypass gates can ing, canoeing, angling and birding. domestic and industrial pur- ecosystem so as ture and plantation forestry. These Below Albert Falls, the river trav- (altered flow pattern and water be used to mimic a more natural Environmental education at poses. The river between the to provide desired magnificent forests, of which a few river-based goods pristine patches still exist, were quality) is noticeable and instream flow pattern. Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve two dams carries water from erses deeply dissected terrain and services (i.e. the associated with streams of unques- habitat here is only Fair. A considerable portion of the and tourism in various game Albert Falls Dam, a storage which forms the western edge of Ecological Reserve). tionable quality and reliability. The Invertebrates of the uMngeni Albert Falls and Nagle catch- reserves (e.g.Albert Falls, Game reservoir, to Nagle Dam, Water demand man- upper reaches of the Karkloof Phragmites near the Valley of a Thousand Hills. At and Karkloof are in Good condi- ments (in the upper reaches) are Valley) centre around the from where the water is agement by agriculture River, were in the 1950s found to Morton’s Drift tion and even Natural in the lower under plantation forests and uMngeni and Karkloof rivers. piped to Durban. Nagle Dam, the river is still at a and forestry and pollu- contain a rare burrowing mayfly, invasive alien trees which reduce Rural people particularly in the The reeds on the river between high elevation (400m above sea reaches of the latter. tion control. iMpolweni catchment utilize the Ephemera mooiana, which has only Fish scores show the same trend the flow of water to the river. Minimise overgrazing in Midmar and Albert Falls Dams are level) despite being a mere ever been found here and in the but reflect the presence of invasive Cattle feedlots below Albert river extensively for recreation, the iMpolweni district often assumed to be Phragmites Mooi River above Rosetta. 50km from the coast. The main species (trout in the upper Falls Dam introduce excess drinking water (in places), fishing to reduce excessive australis (syn. P.communis), but on In these rivers it burrowed into nutrients to the river system. and for plant products from the sediment input to the careful study, have proved to be land use types here are forestry Karkloof, and bass in several the hard mud banks beneath the Effluent discharges from Howick riparian zone. river. mostly the more tropical relative places). Some indigenous fish are water. Unfortunately, with the in the west and north and culti- Minimise effluent also alien here, like the impact on the uMngeni River. Good quality water used by P. mauritianus which seems to have vated land, especially sugar cane, pollution from the removal of indigenous forests Mozambique and redbreast tilapia. Considerable impacts also forestry and agriculture, the lat- greater preference for oxygenated, Howick area. and the conversion of grasslands and feedlots in the Wartburg The fish in the lower uMngeni are emanate from the iMpolweni ter especially just below Albert faster flowing water than does Accommodate the to agriculture, it appears that this area where poor land manage- Falls Dam, in the eastern section P. australis [NOTE: P. australis area. A large part of the area is only in Fair condition due to the passage of young eels species may now be extinct. An ment and inadequate sanitation and in parts of the Karkloof is widespread in KZN, from hot, dry valley bushveld used for regulation of the river by dams. past dam walls. extensive search for this rare contribute to turbid, nutrient- catchment. mayfly by a student from the Drankensberg to coast, and is subsistence agriculture.The popu- rich waters. University of Natal together with likely also to be present, but lation of the area is 68 900. Umgeni Water, has proved fruitless. probably not admired]. 18 resource unit. in the middle of this forestry small area of plantation There is also a is 278 000. human population of the area The of Edendale and Imbali. urban areas in the vicinity rural developments with are subsistence cultivation and The main land use types here the catchment. turbid with soil eroded from water tends to be highly few and small in size and the Pools are substrate rocky. gradient is high and the river where the Edendale valley, dry flows into the hot, The river Pietermaritzburg. Edendale and Henley Dam, level) and flows eastward to Bulwer (1 500m above sea Elandskop on the road to near It rises uMngeni River. of the the major tributaries The uMsunduze is one of INTRODUCTION U Taylor’s Halt PRU PPER bass have invaded both sections. Unfortunately lower reaches as well. catfish which used to occur in the presence of the Natal mountain upper reaches due mainly to the The organisms are found here. and many sensitive diversity is good, Species river is in Good condition. of Henley Dam suggest that the Invertebrates Dam and water quality issues. mainly due to the impact of Henley reaches instream condition is Poor the lower In brate populations. allows for healthy fish and inverte- of the areaportion is Good which Instream habitat alien vegetation. reaches there are also impacts from the lower In natural occurrence). (annual fires are probably not a burning of vegetation during winter and also due to excessiveharvesting by stock and by excessive wood habitat In the upper reaches the lower reaches. bad in the the latter particularly tion, by turbidity and faecal contamina- Water quality RSN HEALTH PRESENT M Fish is heavily exploited mainly scores are higher in the SUNDUZE up and downstream sFi,but spoiled is Fair, in the upper riparian RVN FORCES DRIVING not natural in this area. which are filtering phytoplankton, invertebrate species adapted to encourages the occurrence of This found in local rivers. has phytoplankton not normally unnaturally low in nutrients and Water passing over the dam is impact on water quality. sioned as a supply dam) does Henley Dam (now decommis- theless. charges are few but occur never- Industrial effluents and illegal dis- reaches compound the issue. Sewer surcharges in the lower to faecal and nutrient pollution. leading adequate waste services, Many informal settlements lack of the river and turbid water. incision ing with soil erosion, rapid and high flood- infiltration, poor to rapid run-off of rain, This leads to poor grass cover. Overgrazing by stock has led Overgrazed uMsunduze catchment EOREUNIT RESOURCE OD SERVICES & GOODS al activities. spiritu- Cultural and in particular Reeds from the riparian zone. ing. Recreation and subsistence fish- stock watering. with emphasis on of catchment, agriculture in the upper portion Water small-scale to support areas. tants from the urban/peri-urban of pollu- Dilution and transport washing. The river is used for clothes MANAGEMENT veld fires. Reduce frequency of land degradation. grazing to reduce numbers and over- Control of stock of sewerage systems. improved management Upgrading and sanitation. of potable water and complete provision e.g. faecal contamination health hazard from immediate human Measures to minimize Overflowing sewer PRIORITIES these changes in river flow are We must appreciate that while on the uMngeni River. latter had the greatest impact The September 1987 floods. Domoina in 1984 and the cyclone two extreme floods, and 1990s) interspersed by recorded (early 1980s history of the most severe droughts in two with extreme proportions, years have seen these in The last twenty few years. ing floods over the space of a from crippling droughts to rag- ranging fluctuations in flow, catchment is subject to wide the uMngeni River South Africa, of As is the case in many parts oik-18 losIad a 97fod uMsunduze catchment Inanda Dam - 1987 floods - 1987 floods Howick O UHWTR O ITEWATER LITTLE TOO WATER, MUCH TOO from rivers which have a more of which may be alien imports many by less adaptable species, the uMngeni would be replaced neer species characteristic of In this case hardy pio- year. and from year to year round, flow so that it is uniform all is to regulate its uMngeni River, worst things that we do to the One of the dynamics altered. lost or their numbers and mean that some species will be cycles and any change will evolved to cope with these associated with this river The plants and animals tem. nance of the natural ecosys- are essential for the mainte- they inconvenient to society, Upper uMsunduze River the system be maintained. that some of the variability environment which requires with the needs of water, society for a constant flow of must balance the needs of River becomes difficult as it Management of the uMngeni greater. becomes to people, services to deliver desired goods and functions and resulting failure the breakdown of ecosystem the risk of As a result, ished. ecosystem becomes impover- and the whole is reduced, Species diversity constant flow.

19 21 20 P IETERMARITZBURG RESOURCE UNIT

Hindu ceremony on the Townbush Stream

uMsunduze River downstream of N3

DRAGONFLIES DUSI CANOE AND RIPARIAN MARATHON VEGETATION MANAGEMENT INTRODUCTION PRESENT HEALTH DRIVING FORCES GOODS & SERVICES Several local communities make PRIORITIES use of the rivers for cultural and religious purposes. This resource unit is domi- Water quality in the region is Urbanisation and high population Poor mainly due to faecal contami- densities, including areas with nated by the urban sprawl nation and declines as the river minimal sanitation services. of Pietermaritzburg (altitude passes through the city. Interestingly, The extensive network of the effluent from Darvill Wastewater sewers discharges its contents 750m), a mix of formal city, Works often improves the quality of into the river at times. residential and industrial the river water. City street storm water dis- suburbs and informal hous- Of concern is the Poor health of charges can be as polluting as both the instream and riparian sewage discharges. The large Pollution from ing developments. Here the habitats. Extensive canalisation surface area of paved ground “stormwater” drain (particularly at Camps Drift) has and rooftops increases run-off uMsunduze River enters a Transport and assimilation of Pollution in the significant impacts on the river’s during storm events. In January each year, the Dusi Dragonflies are familiar to us as vide an indication of both instream canalised reach (an ‘artifi- domestic and industrial pollu- Slangspruit natural flow pattern. Because of Legal and illegal discharges from canoe marathon starts at Camps the pretty aerial creatures associat- and riparian vegetation health. tants. cial’ river) at Camps Drift. Poor water quality (eutrophic and factories are a major problem, Reduction in pollution Drift in Pietermaritzburg and ends ed with streams and ponds. Young Informal domestic water use turbid water) the habitat is Poor particularly on the Baynespruit from sewers, informal at Blue Lagoon in Durban, with dragonflies (larvae) live underwater Dragonflies are also sensitive to It then passes through the especially from the small tribu- for the natural fauna and flora. tributary, which drains the settlements, city some 3000 paddlers participating. in the weed or mud and are highly altitude.The species found at taries entering the uMsunduze. city in an incised narrow The decline in the health of the Willowton Industrial area. streets, illegal dis- The total exchange of money on sensitive to stream conditions such Albert Falls are quite different Subsistence and recreational fish- invertebrates from Good to Poor Impoundment of the river at charges and the waste- this event in direct costs i.e. as flow, water temperature and from those at Midmar. channel and is joined by ing. over a few kilometres, shows the Camps Drift has extensively water works and equipment and accommodation, is amount of sunlight on the water. Pietermaritzburg lies in between Adequate river flow and suffi- small tributaries before magnitude of urban impacts. In the altered its nature. reduction in solid R20 - 30 million. The marketing and has dragonfly species from cient water of adequate quality lower reaches of the city, only the Mowing of riparian vegetation waste (litter). value is approximately R100 mil- Most species avoid heavily forested both higher and lower elevations. picking up treated effluent to support contact recreation toughest invertebrates survive, and and canalisation reduces the lion, giving an indication of the areas, except where there is dap- This dual recruitment combined from Darvill wastewater like canoeing (e.g. Dusi canoe then in great quantities due to the river’s ability to recover from Control of water economic value of a sporting event pled sunlight on the bank and with a variety of habitats makes marathon); threatened at times works. Large parts of abundance of organic "food" (i.e. flooding, increases flow velocities weeds and alien weeds which relies heavily on adequate water. Invasive alien plants in the the National Botanical Gardens at due to poor water quality. pollutants). and results in damage to river in the riparian zone, river flow and good water quality. riparian zone over-shade the banks, Pietermaritzburg a dragonfly Pietermaritzburg used to be Swimming is no longer safe here. Fish health is Fair to Good, as most morphology within and down- including removal of The Dusi marathon has redirected making the habitat unsuitable for hotspot with 30 or so species. The river forms the focal point floodplains and wetlands of the indigenous species in the area stream of the resource unit. large alien trees, much of its income to develop- most dragonfly species. Local of an open space outdoor and are resilient to pollution. However, Large alien trees (e.g. at unless where serving ments in the rural parts of the biologists recently found that the but the river system is now parkland facility – Alexandra Park alien species abound, especially in Alexandra Park) and other inva- an important function catchment. removal of invasive alien plants has a shadow of what it was. and Camps Drift. The full poten- the Camps Drift impoundment, sive alien plants in the riparian (e.g. shading in a dramatically positive effect on tial of this facility is spoiled by The total population of the where carp and bass are common. zone shade natural vegetation, Alexandra Park). Unfortunately the event is threat- dragonfly abundance. Within one poor water quality. The weirs on the river are mostly destabilise the banks and alter ened by faecal contamination and season of alien plant removal, drag- area is 239 500 people. River-based educational activities impassable to migrating fish. the instream habitat. by water hyacinth choking the onflies return. Dragonfly abun- are widespread. river near the estuary. dance and diversity can thus pro- 22 area is 152 000. The total population of the on the uMngeni River. many are directly dependent and population lives here, A large rural valleys. landscape with hills and a vigorously undulating Hills, rural Valley of a Thousand unit is dominated by the this resource uMsunduze, from farmlands around the Apart indigenous acacias. thornveld dominated by indigenous tree and shrub replaced by partly grassland being in riparian unpredictable rainfall results temperatures and more increasing air Dam, Towards Inanda direction. and continues in an easterly the uMsunduze tributary uMngeni River is joined by the Below Nagle Dam, INTRODUCTION I NANDA condition. fish of the uMngeni River are in Good Invertebrates and and redbreast tilapia. bass Aliens include carp, water quality. and have done well despite the poor The (Chironomids). larvae numbers of hardy species such as midge home to masses of benthic algae and large The river is quality coming from the city. reflecting the Poor water Fair condition, Invertebrates River is in Good condition. The instream habitat of the uMngeni mals. able to the more delicate plants and ani- the river habitat is unsuit- high silt loads), toxic pollutants and excessive nutrients, poor water quality (caused primarily by With the combination of River is Fair. Instream habitat lower reaches. especially in the utilisation in parts, a Good condition despite intensive The uMsunduze River (see page 23). because of high nutrient levels in the Aquatic weeds flourish uMngeni River. River thus reduces the health of The uMsunduze of Pietermaritzburg. reflecting the impacts of upstream city uMsunduze River the In the valley bushveld region, Fish riparian zone RSN HEALTH PRESENT in the area are fairly tolerant of the uMsunduze are in a water quality of the uMsunduze of this river is in EOREUNIT RESOURCE is Poor, RVN FORCES DRIVING Sand mining (see page 23). and parrots feather Kariba weed water lettuce, including water hyacinth, unit, throughout this resource Aquatic weeds are found subsistence fishermen. Overharvesting by of Pietermaritzburg. River from the upstream city pollution in the uMsunduze Excessive nutrients and of which reduce river health. and bank instability both river, and sedimentation of the result is increased erosion The invasion by alien plants. The area also suffers severe by a large local population. as a result of over-utilisation zone has been much depleted including that of the riparian the natural vegetation Hills", In the area of the "Thousand Dam wall. are now absent due to Inanda have been present here but species would Some estuary wall blocks fish migration. Inanda Dam dams upstream. Water flow is affected by the eriopus Siphonochilus aethopica Siphonochilus nous medicinal plant species such as valuable products indige- - important this areaUnfortunately has also lost imizi. ikhwane and e.g. for craft weaving, Riparian and wetland plants harvested self-guided hiking trails. fishing and yachting, power boating, extremely popular site for jet skiing, minutes’ drive from Durban and is an and Resources is only 45 Reserve Dam Inanda vibrant canoeing activity. The river itself supports industry. potentially much larger tourism quate river a small but flow support Scenic river environment and ade- reaches. activity in the middle important Sand mining from the river bed is an watering. agriculture and stock game water by rural people for riparian Also extensive use of city of Durban. quality water via Inanda Dam to the Supply of large amounts good uMsunduze. the in particular the river, providedwater is a major service by The instream purification of polluted OD SERVICES & GOODS have been eliminated. and Stangeria MANAGEMENT alien plants. aquatic and terrestrial Control the spread of uMsunduze River. of the in particular tion and eutrophication, Management of pollu- tation of the river. and resultant sedimen- Minimise overgrazing to climb the dam walls. juvenile migrating eels tion of eelways to allow Consider the installa- downstream. meet river-based needs from Nagle dam to Manage flow releases PRIORITIES Darvill effluent Darvill the time it joins uMngeni. more acceptable water quality by producing a tant purification role, these processes play impor- a very a prime example of river where The uMsunduze River is extreme. users of the river could be the consequences for all aged, purification processes are dam- abused to a point where these If rivers are dom appreciated. that is not visible and sel- service These processes provide a chain. feed the next level on the food which in turn and plant bodies, converting pollutants into animal and filters every millilitre of water, cleans all these creatures scrubs, The activity of less noxious forms. bacteria convert toxic ammonia to while some on these organisms, feed Some invertebrates in turn, lutants contained in the water. teria absorb the nutrients and pol- These algae and bac- forms of life. bacteria and other scopic algae, together with a coating of micro- huge numbers of invertebrates live where bles over rocks and sand, tion takes place as the water tum- Self-purifica- to purify themselves. Rivers have ability an extraordinary IESAND SELF- RIVERS uMngeni River in the Valley of a Thousand Hills PURIFICATION invertebrates Local macro- treatment. expensive requires sophisticated, covered with alien plants often Water supplied from water bodies transpire large volumes of water. They also evapo- use and value. with an associated loss in resource lead to a loss of aquatic species, self-purification processes and may disrupt rivers’ mosquitoes, foster deplete oxygen, surface, These plants clog the water uMngeni and uMlazi Rivers. places and times within the have all been found at various water fern and parrot’s feather red Kariba weed, water lettuce, Water hyacinth, rapid growth. KwaZulu-Natal also encourages mild climate of tilizers.The sewage and agricultural fer- runoff, from particularly urban ents, is encouraged by excessive nutri- lematic when their rampant spread Aquatic alien plants become prob- invasion. highest incidence of aquatic plant upstream from the dam suffers the Inanda Dam and the uMngeni River Within the uMngeni catchment, Water hyacinth on AQUATIC Inanda Dam WEEDS recreation purposes. and of questionable quality for able for domestic water supplies, making this dam unsuit- common, blue-green algae have been toxic, at times Blooms of, Mpumalanga. inputs from Hammarsdale and cause being excessive nutrient with the main severe problems, ing uMlazi catchment) has also had Shongweni Dam (in the neighbour- Pietermaritzburg. reduced the nutrient load from that works, WastewaterDarvill to upgrades by Umgeni Water at quality has improved mainly due dam has stabilised and water Since then the the rising waters. tion and humus layer drowned by largely due to the rotting vegeta- became a mass of noxious algae, In the early 1990s Inanda Dam case these algae get out of hand. just in water works year round, chemicals have to be kept at the Millions of Rands worth of significant. is at Nagle Dam), approximately once in 24 months times of a severe bloom (e.g. by algae at and odour imparted The cost of removing just the taste high costs to water consumers. Algal blooms sometimes impart dams. from entering rivers and thus by preventing excess nutrients blooms is to maintain river health problems associated with algal One way to minimise fertiliser). nitrogen (from sewage and and detergents and fertiliser) phosphorus (mostly from nutrients mainly responsible are The rampant growth. support nutrient levels are high enough to Algal blooms develop when water LA BLOOMS ALGAL Algal bloom

23 24 LOWER UMNGENI RESOURCE UNIT 25

A RARE CRUSTACEAN

The Molweni River, a tributary of the uMngeni at Krantzkloof Nature Reserve near Durban, boasts a freshwater shrimp (Atyoida serrata - large shrimp in photo) only recently found in African waters. It lives exclusively in rocky crevices in uMngeni River torrential water. at Claremont The estuary

INTRODUCTION PRESENT HEALTH DRIVING FORCES GOODS & SERVICES MANAGEMENT UMNGENI ESTUARY PRIORITIES Cityscape From Inanda Dam, the Sufficient flow and water volume Estuaries, like rivers, provide us significant impact on the estuary. to transport and assimilate with a wide range of opportunities Altered flows (due to upstream uMngeni River flows from the domestic and industrial waste. and benefits. They are an impor- impoundment) have transformed Valley of a Thousand Hills with The estuary is a nursery area for tant location for recreational and the previously flood-dependent and a gentle gradient for 24 km many marine fishes, and provides subsistence activities. The health permanently open estuary to a before it flows out to sea at for sport angling for kingfish, of estuaries is dependent on the temporary open/closed system. In springer and gurnards. provision of freshwater from the the absence of floods, sediment Durban. This part of the river Water release Subsistence fishermen also col- from Inanda Dam rivers that feed them. By protect- accumulates, changing the ecology is extensively modified, with lect fish from the river here and ing river health, we are also pro- of the system and thus the sys- Intensive, large-scale urbanisation riparian vegetation and the The uMbilo River higher upstream. Blue Lagoon tecting estuaries and the benefits tem’s ability to provide a certain and associated modification of with its beachwood mangroves is Management of water that people derive from them. range of estuary-based goods and channel significantly altered the river course. Water quality in the uMngeni The river and estuary Fish an important recreational and releases from Inanda services. Canalisation of the uMngeni, to accommodate human River is Fair, due mainly to the populations are in Fair condition. educational facility. Dam to maintain the The uMngeni estuary is very differ- uMbilo and uMhlatuzana Rivers settlement and activities. purification of the water in Inanda Water quality of the uMhlatuzana Sand mining for construction, services provided by the ent today compared to the 1800s. Despite human impacts, the has removed natural habitat in Dam. Unfortunately by the time and uMbilo Rivers is Poor, due to although since Inanda Dam was river and estuary. The estuary mouth appears to uMngeni remains an important Historically the uMngeni River the lower reaches. the river enters the sea, water urban impacts. Habitat integrity, built, the supply of "Umgeni Management and min- have moved between the bay and estuary. The remaining 44ha of High population densities and entered Durban Bay over a quality is Poor from the large riparian and instream condition of Sand" has diminished. imisation of industrial the sea until it was mechanically Beachwood mangroves in the effluent discharges, excessive large swampy plain where volume of city pollutants . the uMhlatuzana River are Fair, The flood plain of the river has and domestic pollution. redirected by the city engineer in estuary support a wide diversity nutrients and polluted run-off Durban is now situated. Riparian health is Fair, but is no with resulting invertebrate popula- provided valuable land for build- Control of rampant the early 1900s due to concerns of of plants and animals. Studies in from streets, factory yards and longer subject to frequent flooding, tions also being in Fair health. ing although at a high ecological aquatic weed, in particu- flooding, malaria and damage to the early 1980s recorded 56 fish This resource unit is informal settlements. resulting in excessive reed growth The fish are in a Fair condition but cost. lar water hyacinth. reclamation works. species, 13 prawn species and Upstream activities, dams and highly urbanised and invasion by terrestrial weeds. Poor in the lower reaches. In the The river is extensively used for Restoration of riparian 11 crab species. The estuary also bulk water abstractions alter (population 1 314 200). Instream habitat (Fair) is affect- lower reaches the riparian habitat cultural and spiritual activities. vegetation especially by There have also been significant provides habitat for juvenile marine water quality and sediment ed largely by dam-regulated flows quality deteriorates to Poor. The river below Inanda Dam is elimination of invasive changes in the estuary habitat. fish. The uMngeni estuary also A few smaller rivers are also dynamics, reduce flow and alter and prevention of the natural sup- The uMbilo River habitats are in a used for canoeing. alien plants (e.g. triffid Between 1934 and 1984 the provides a variety of recreational the river’s natural flow regime important here. They include ply of sand to the river. This caus- Fair condition although mixed, with Much of the Durban weed). estuary lost many of its intertidal opportunities. But, the uMngeni on which many species depend. the uMhlatuzana and uMbilo es silting and closing of the estuary, Good health in the middle reaches Metropolitan Open Space Solid waste disposal, and backwater habitats. Also, salt River will need to be managed Water hyacinth negatively affects reducing its contact with the and Poor health in the lower System (which includes educa- especially in the infor- concentrations extended much carefully in order to maintain a Rivers which rise in the hills the aquatic ecosystem (see p.23). marine environment. reaches. The invertebrates in this tion and recreation facilities) is mal areas, is a priority. further inland historically. Bridge desirable level of benefits from above Durban, draining large Invertebrates are in Good condi- river were in a Poor class as a based on these rivers. Litter of the rivers construction, industrial and organic the estuary. areas of urban and industrial tion although species composition result of the heavy pollution load. and Durban Bay is a pollution and the damming of the development before entering would probably not resemble the Fish are in a Poor condition in the widespread aesthetic river appear to exert the most natural diversity, due to the lower reaches. and health problem. the bay. unnatural water quality. 26 catchment is 690 800. catchment The population of the uMlazi river). an artificial concrete canal (i.e. before flowing out to sea through a a large swamp) (historically airport zone the industrial near Durban uMlazi and areas of Chatsworth, flows through the densely populated It then stream of Dassenhoek. then through rural areas down- through steep sided valleys and runs the river Shongweni Dam, Below and Wekeweke tributaries. is joined by the Sterkspruit river Here the into Shongweni Dam. and Mpumalanga settlement through the Killarney valley Dam, flows the river into Thornlea here, From ture and isolated forestry. area of intense commercial agricul- the Tala an Valley, entering before Baynesfield and Mapstone Dams flows The river through the ments. small rural settle- and peri-urban and forestry types are agriculture, main land-use the upper uMlazi, the In at 1 500m above sea level. south west of Pietermaritzburg The uMlazi River originates INTRODUCTION U M LAZI condition. Sterkspruit are in Poor biota of the the sea.The reaches and Poor near but Fair in the middle Fish sensitive species. presence of several pollution Good condition due to the of Shongweni Dam are in Invertebrates input. due to excessive nutrient largely habitats are only Fair, the instream Hammarsdale, and the Sterkspruit below lower reaches of the uMlazi In the plants from the banks. aided by removal of alien Natural in the upper reaches Instream habitat stock grazing. zone is also affected by heavy The riparian control efforts. despite the lower reaches, major problem especially in invasive alien plants are a but in the upper reaches, Riparian habitat lower reaches. deteriorates to Poor in the but upper uMlazi is Good, Water quality RSN HEALTH PRESENT are in Good condition upstream in the is Good is EOREUNIT RESOURCE the original estuary. in the lower reaches and loss of Canalisation of the uMlazi River catchment. Surcharging sewers in the lower and informal settlements. KwaNdengezi and Dassenhoek) from residential areas (e.g. ed runoff and faecal pollution leading to increased contaminat- ties and inadequate services, with increasing population densi- Mpumalanga and lower uMlazi), Rapid urbanisation (e.g. purposes. Sand mining for construction Rampant aquatic weed growth. nutrient enrichment of water). to eutrophication (excessive catchments) to the river leading works in the middle and lower catchment and 4 wastewater cultural activities in the upper nutrient inputs (mainly by agri- Hammarsdale and Isipingo) and Excessive industrial (in particular tion forests. uMlazi) and water use by planta- Abstraction for irrigation (upper impoundments. Regulation of river flow by RVN FORCES DRIVING OD SERVICES & GOODS Dam). Sand mining (below Shongweni domestic sector and industry. the pollutants from agriculture, of Assimilation and transport abound in this catchment. River-based education activities Reserve. Shongweni Dam and Resources canoeing on and around e.g. game viewing and e.g. activities: for water-basedopportunities their scenic value and dams), presence of the river (and based on Tourism and trade, rivers and dams. fishing in Subsistence and sport ments. scale agriculture and rural settle- small- for and Tala also Valley; in the upper reachesforestry mainly to formal agriculture and Supply of good quality water Shongweni Dam The uMlazi “estuary” MANAGEMENT reaches. charges in the lower Manage sewer sur- provided by the river. goods and services improve the levels of ecosystems and thus downstream river to improve the health of from all the larger dams, rules for water releases Appropriate operating reaches. species in the lower to be extended to shrub This needs Programme. for Waterthe Working initiated bytion efforts riparian weed eradica- for Continued support ment. aquatic weed manage- Integrated approach to al pollution control. domestic and agricultur- Improved industrial, PRIORITIES uMlazi River still lacking. ducers and catchment residents is ing of the threat by industrial pro- clear understand- However, oped. to respond to spills is well devel- been developed and the expertise Effective response protocols have age can and does occur. serious environmental dam- rivers, tons of these materials end up in but if not toxic in small amounts, are molasses and milk, etable oil, veg- sugar, Substances such as salt, quantity through these catchments. alkalis have in all been transported acids, heavy metal compounds, pesticides, Hydrocarbons, possible. every kind of pollution threat is and used almost being transported Owing to the range of materials the environment. cant threat to human health and industries therefore pose a signifi- accidents or either transport Spills of hazardous materials from the Durban-Pietermaritzburg area. duced by the many industries in materials are also used or pro- Large quantities of such cargo. huge amounts of hazardous carry which rail and pipeline routes, catchments are traversed by road, the uMngeni and uMlazi region, of Durban and the Gauteng port Due to its location between the CHEMICAL SPILLS ment management. mote improved river and catch- have resulted in actions that pro- rehabilitation of river banks) ment in alien plant clearing and Entembeni community involve- community) sectors (e.g. cultural) and informal (rural agri- action in both formal (e.g. high level of awareness and A culture of ‘river care’ and a management. riparian zone aspects of river tion control and in particular These focus on pollu- Tala valley. the Umlaas Irrigation Board) and uMlazi (under the guidance of especially in upper formed, ment committees have been Active river and land manage- scores. moderately good river health has contributed to fertilisers tion in the use of pesticides and culture in the Tala Valley reduc- Despite intense agri- dramatic. in the upper uMlazi has been Working for Water Programme) control with the in partnership ment and invasive alien plant riparian zone manage- activities, harvesting practice (e.g. forestry Improvement in agricultural and MANAGEMENT Hammersdale Dam Hammersdale CATCHMENT PRACTICES Hyacinth on SOUND a green blanket. at times the river disappears under to the extent that enters Durban, in the lower uMlazi River as it There is also a massive infestation require ongoing management. they Hammarsdale upstream, because of reinfestation from However, ance procedure. chemical control in a zero toler- hyacinth in Shongweni Dam using some success in combating Msinsi Holdings have achieved of Hammarsdale. the dam can be used by the people herbicides to kill the plants so that the plan is to use Conservancy, the Hammarsdale Industrial According to ulation effectively. been able to reduce the weed pop- growth of the plants they have not high nutrient levels and the rapid because of the agents are thriving, Although the biological control the weeds. trol agents that attack and feed on Research Institute to raise biocon- being used by the Plant Protection ject of much controversy and is This infestation has been the sub- breeding ground for this weed. is a major Sterkspruit tributary The Hammarsdale Dam on the the biocontrol agents. have been vigorously attacked by although they near Mpumalanga, Water hyacinth is well established and wastewaterfertilisers works. nutrient levels from agricultural exacerbated by high weed problem, ment there is a serious aquatic in the mid-section of catch- However, plant’s natural enemies). using the by biological control (i.e. manual removal by landowners and brought under control through spread of water hyacinth has been Thornlea Dam in the Tala the Valley, In healthy river ecosystem. people could derive from a more and reduces the benefits that significant impact on river health The growth of water weeds has a NTEUMLAZI THE IN A E WEEDS WATER CATCHMENT

27 28 REACHES RIVER OF QUALITY WATER S UMMARY: POOR FAIR GOOD NATURAL IN RIVER LIONS STATEOFTHEU MAIRIVER UMLAZI AKOFRVRIPLEIRIVER IMPOLWENI RIVER KARKLOOF Midmar Dam MUDZ RIVER UMSUNDUZE Dam Henley • HOWICK M NGENI AND Albert FallsAlbert Dam PIETERMARITZBURG DATA NO • DATA NO RIVER STERKSPRUIT EGBUIGRVR N STREAMS AND RIVERS NEIGHBOURING Nagle Dam Dam Shongweni MIORIVER UMBILO Inanda Dam MLTZN RIVER UMHLATUZANA MGN RIVER UMNGENI 1992-2002 DURBAN DURBAN •

INDIAN OCEAN 29 30 Problems include: health problems. But they also cause river activities. and provide sites for recreation contain floods capacity for water, Dams provide storage metres). catchment (740 million cubic mean annual runoff for the entire more than the metres of water, have a capacity of 753 million cubic Together these dams and Inanda. Henley Nagle, Falls, Midmar,Albert namely can be considered large, Five of these dams catchments. the uMngeni and uMsunduze There are 129 registered dams in rivers. influence on the health of these development have a significant Dams and urban rivers provide. that these products and services in the area that depends on the and often dense human population pressure purely through the large These rivers are also under and water for irrigating crops. water to provide drinking water smaller farm dams that capture weirs and regulated by large dams, uMlazi catchments are heavily The rivers of the uMngeni and HEALTH DAMSRIVER AND reeds). fish and less useful benefits (e.g. result in diminished availability of This may have altered habitat. downstream of dams shrink and rivers As a result, logical needs. accommodate downstream eco- and are not managed to supply, River were built mainly for water All the dams on uMngeni D AMS A large dam - Inanda N RA RIVERS: URBAN AND more than 20km downstream. these problems can persist for Some of toxic to aquatic life. all of which are potentially sulphur and ammonia, iron, contains dissolved manganese, and colder than the river water, on the uMngeni River) is much and most of the other dams Falls of the dam (e.g.Albert Water released from the bottom structure. the invertebrate community which results in changes to food source to the system, uMngeni and introduce a new ing and turbid rivers such as the Algae are not typical of fast flow- contains large numbers of algae. Water spilling over a dam usually deaths. increased risk of offspring for breeding and as a result, can trigger inappropriate cues example a flood in mid-winter For death of) aquatic fauna. the life cycle (and sometimes to changes in leading unnatural, erate downstream flows that are Water released from dams gen- are well adapted to turbid water. while yellowfish example bass, for sight to hunt their prey, water favours predators that use composition because clearer clean water may also alter faunal Very sediments from the river. This water erodes downstream. water cleaner ‘high-energy’ resulting in the release of ents, Dams trap sediments and nutri- population numbers and densities An urban setting and high future. expect this trend to increase in informally urbanised and we can uMlazi catchments is formally or More than 12% of the uMngeni and URBAN RIVERS River. investigate this for the uMngeni Plans are afoot to stream needs. that is compatible with down- releasing water from dams in a way these impacts can be managed by Fortunately, the river ecosystem. that are directly associated with people who depend on products especially to delivered by rivers, Dams affect the goods and services in suitable areas below the dams. and the yellowfish will make do age to climb most dams walls Eels man- species that migrate. minimal as there are only two uMngeni River this impact is on the Fortunately, tion. Dams are barriers to fish migra- bridges and other infrastructure. against (and sometimes damage) downstream where they jam uproot plants that are swept Flood waters then tend to the flood waters. transport the river channel can no longer in the event of large floods when This can have devastating affects narrowing of the river channel. resulting in the restrial species, Phragmites australis by reeds such as encroachment, dam can lead to vegetation Reduced flow downstream of a Printing dye - Pietermaritzburg Printing in river and even ter- quality of river-benefits. and amount affects the types, for river health and this in turn create set of challenges a particular to river systems. benefits of our activities in relation trade-offs around the costs and We will need to make careful rivers within an urban setting. of desired from goods and services being and the continued provision human well- economic growth, We need to reconcile the need for and which is aesthetically pleasant. provides for recreation activities removal as well as a river that effective waste basic needs, rivers – enough clean water for need and demand much from their people in urban environments time, but at the same rivers are intense, The impacts of urban activities on ies and rivers; which returns to streams and and the quality of water gy which alters catchment hydrolo- Paving/hardening of large areas and water transfer schemes. infrastructure such as large dams sure to construct water supply therefore increased pres- supply; Increased pressure on water systems. the uMngeni and uMlazi river severea particularly problem in impacts of faecal contamination, on p.31 provides detail on the The box ic and industrial waste; organ- domestic, tration of solid, Increased volume and concen- MAT EDN PCA ATTENTION SPECIAL IMPACTS NEEDING 1 7 ae.During the epi- 116 170 cases. KZN reported cholera epidemic, (< 0.4%) during the 2000/01 rate was low Although the fatality sanitation. good quality drinking water and infection associated with a lack of Cholera is a water-borne bacterial CHOLERA RIVERS AND Sandmining in the uMsunduze catchment Informal settlement in Durban opportunistic disease. opportunistic a highly attacked by cholera, weakened by HIV/AIDS are easily people with immune systems related to HIV/AIDS since The prevalence of cholera is dams were especially vulnerable. water directly from rivers and but people relying on drinking municipal water was safe, demic, Sewer surcharge relating to faecal contamination. poor management of human activities and infrastructure bygoods these rivers and services have been compromised by are some recent following100ml (SA Guidelines) will result in a high risk.The the presence of and even the recreation potential is negatively affected by completely clear of this contaminant if it is to be safe to drink, should be in water indicates faecal contamination.Water coli) Escherichia coli (E. way to the treatment plant! more raw sewage has entered the river than finds its ment, the lower in uMlazi catch- recently, For example, est river. blockages cause sewers to discharge their load into the near- In more developed areas, below ground and into the streams. or pit latrines seep washed from the surface of ground, This usually happens where faecal matter is either sewage. the contamination of streams and waterways with raw settlements in and around Durban and Pietermaritzburg is One of the major impacts fast-growing informal Cue broken sewers in uMlazi township). (Cause: sanitation). Informal communities – inadequate (Cause: of water. respectively. contained have recently Baynespruit within the city boundaries, The Slangspruit just above Pietermaritzburg and the uMlazi River below Fongozi Stream, on a small river can have on a larger river! River.) This is an example of the impact that a community Informal Community on the banks of Palmiet (Cause: uMngeni River at Kennedy Road, broken sewers in uMlazi (Cause: Township).60% of the time. works, iSiphingo River above the Isipingo waste water treatment Township). coli E. uMhlangaan River above Kwamashu waste water works. informal community – inadequate sanitation). (Cause: New Germany.Aller River, community – inadequate sanitation.) Bellair Stream, Westridge Tennis Stadium, a small stream between Mayville and Mayville Stream, FAECAL CONTAMINATION INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS pt 4 0.(as:broken sewers in Kwamashu (Cause: up to 240 000. .coli E. .coli E. AND IMPACTS OF count up to 10 000 and exceeding 100 000, .coli E. .coli E. .coli E. counts of 670 000 and 610 per 100ml as counts in excess of 400 counts per sahmngtbceim Its presence is a human gut bacterium. results illustrating that the provision of pt 1 0.(as:informal (Cause: up to 310 000. .coli E. .coli E. up to 400 000. : up to 290 000 per 100ml .coli E. .coli E. up to 1 080 000. up to 720 000.

31 32 swordtail banded tilapia redbreast tilapia bearded eelgby brown trout checked goby southern mouthbrooder guppy Mozambique tilapia rainbow trout freshwater mullet flathead mullet Cape moony Natal moony largemouth bass spotted bass smallmouth bass freshwater pipefish opossum pipefish river snapper bluegill scaly / KZN yellowfish golden sleeper tank goby goby river sleepy goby estuarine roundherring mosquitofish tropical sand-goby blackthroat goby dusky sleeper carp grass carp sharptooth catfish goldfish duckbill sleeper bowstripe barb straightfin barb redtail barb chubbyhead barb Notes freshwater goby Natal topminnow longfin eel Madagascar mottled eel African mottled eel Natal mountain catfish Species name longspine glassy riverbream Common name These have not been shown here. come into fresh water. that do not 57 species are found A further in the estuary listed here. 12 alien), The uMngeni River boasts 48 species of freshwater (FW) fish (36 indigenous and F S FTHE U OF ISH Xiphophorus helleri # Xiphophorus helleri Tilapia sparrmanii Tilapia rendalli Taenioides jacksoni Salmo trutta # Redigobius dewaali Pseudocrenilabrus philander Poecilia reticulata # Oreochromis mossambicus mykissOncorhynchus # Myxus capensis Mugil cephalus Monodactylus falciformis Monodactylus argenteus Micropterus salmoides # Micropterus punctulatus # Micropterus dolomieu # Microphis fluviatilis Microphis brachyurus Lutjanus argentimaculatus # Lepomis macrochirus Labeobarbus natalensis cyprinoides Hypseleotris Glossogobius giuris Glossogobius callidus Glossogobius biocellatus aestuaria Gilchristella Gambusia affinis # Favonigobius reichei Favonigobius melanobranchus fusca Eleotris carpio # Cyprinus idella # Ctenopharyngodon gariepinus Clarias Carassius auratus # Butis butis Barbus viviparous Barbus paludinosus Barbus gurneyi Barbus anoplus Awaous aeneofuscus myaposaeAplocheilichthys Anguilla mossambica Anguilla marmorata Anguilla bengalensis labiata Amphilius natalensis Ambassis productus Acanthopagrus berda (# means alien) FW/estuarine Red Data Red Data FW/estuarine Red Data FW/estuarine FW/estuarine FW/estuarine FW/estuarine FW/estuarine Red Data FW/estuarine Red Data FW/estuarine FW/estuarine Red Data FW/estuarine Red Data FW/estuarine FW/estuarine FW/estuarine M NGENI chubbyhead barb chubbyhead barb bowstripe Natal mountain catfish southern mouthbrooder redbreast tilapia freshwater mullet golden sleeper checked goby h imrDm the warmer the Midmar Dam, species are much the same as in While the fish lent angling venue. Falls Dam itself is an excel- Albert The also a popular catch here. for the KZN yellowfish which is fast flowing water - ideal habitat the river is rocky with Falls Dam, Between Howick Falls and Albert yellowfish during spring. carp and the KZN barbel, Midmar Dam catches include was built near Balgowan. hatchery around 1895 when the first trout headwaters and has been since Trout angling is popular in the men. offer a range of options to fisher- introduced fish species and thus tributaries have indigenous and The uMngeni River and its bigger indigenous species include: Some of the more interesting RIVER h aa onanctih is a The Natal mountain catfish, only in this province. found i.e. KwaZulu-Natal, barb are endemic to flyfishersmen and the redtail nowadays much sought after by The scaly or KZN yellowfish, walls. climbing waterfalls and dam even juveniles migrate up rivers, Eels breed at sea and system. common eel found in this river The longfin eel is the most Mozambique tilapia FISHING INDIGENOUS FISH OF THE UMNGENI RIVER both recreational and subsistence yellowfish and catfish are popular to downstreamfurther the KZN river is well known for its carp but the Downstream of Falls, Albert specimens. the capture of more trophy size trees result in greater growth and water and abundance of submerged oabqetlpa the banded Mozambique tilapia, dant water weeds.The valuable impact on over-abun- where it has a into farm dams, cated from the Pongolo system breast tilapia has been translo- The red- the uMngeni system. Four tilapia species are found in Inanda Dam. coast and occur up as far mon in fresh waters near the ter mullet (endemic) are com- The flathead mullet and freshwa- streams. associated with mountain foothill small scaleless species normally Z elwihKNyellowfish jumping a weir KZN yellowfish KZN Child fishing in the uMsunduze River ration in river health and siltation but deterio- hive of fishing activity, was historically a saltwater species, with its additional Blue Lagoon, venues. Dam are considered prime fishing but neither Nagle or Inanda catfish, tilapia and good catches of carp, Nagle Dam provides fishermen. soft mud and is endemic to ed eelgoby lives in burrows in the beard- Of these, noticeable. colour and so are not very are small and lack area.All species found in the estuary species and one scarce eleotrid There are five scarce goby river. but not in the main the uMngeni, a few streams near the mouth of tive and scarce species found in The golden sleeper is an attrac- uMngeni system. brooder occur naturally in the tilapia and the southern mouth- a nursery for manya nursery fish species. is once again becoming that the estuary marine fish but hopefully this indicates These are all and gurnards. springer, variety of species such as kingfish, are now common here and catch a Light tackle anglers in particular larity. has seen a resurgence in angling popu- the estuary however, Recently, angling. led to a decline in the of the estuary (see p.15). and the subject of controversy River where their impact is varied upper reaches of the uMngeni Trout also thrive in the dams and in dams and sometimes rivers. areparticular voracious predators Bass in considered to be serious. where their impact cannot be living in the dams region of the exotic fish are best suited to Fortunately most fish populations. in some cases threaten indigenous Exotic fish populations abound and KwaZulu-Natal.

33 34 we get from them. perhaps restore the benefits and to manage, we can try so that relation to our rivers we are on in trajectory gives an indication of the This comparison situation. different from the present then and how these may be they providedservices back made aware of the goods and we are state of these rivers, something of the historical past? By understanding looked and behaved in the to examine how these rivers Why would it be important rivers. and neighbouring current state of the uMngeni tells us about the This report back to the 1600s. graphic records dating able written and photo- was compiled from avail- This historical description Durban Bay around 1950. A ITRCLDESCRIPTION HISTORICAL a hne eetdy moving has changed repeatedly, that the position of estuary It appears confusing and scant. is ings of the uMngeni estuary Information on the meander- The uMngeni Estuary settlers in the early 1800s. resourceimportant for the as this was an Durban Bay, and its relationriver to estuary more information about the There is considerably graphs. in the form of old photo- uMsunduze is available mostly some information on the ment of Pietermaritzburg, Because of the develop- texts. reference made in various other than from incidental ed, of the catchment is limit- parts uMngeni River in the upper Earlier knowledge of the an already impacted condition. document the riverreports in these But, Commission. Town & Regional Planning published by the CSIR and These were uMngeni River. fairly detailed surveys of the 1950s and 1960s resulted in vision of various people in the We are that the fortunate Durban today which glide down severalwhich ways, hill affordsevery little brooks, for is there any want of water, is clearly the Bay itself: where the mouth of river describes what is now Durban the author the late 1600s, From an old account written in happened repeatedly. This probably current position. manually redirected towards its was expressed and the estuary Concern was towards Durban. miles" from its present position had marched "threeestuary that the September) reported pathway to the Bay. with little sign of a position, approximately its current clearly entering the sea in 1823 (p.40) shows the river King in Durban drawn by Lt. a map of But, as "Eastern Vlei". Bay via a low-lying area known uMngeni flowed into Durban Entrance" because the ancient name uMngeni means "River of Russel (1899) noted that the into Durban Bay. uMngeni River flowed directly but at times the the coast, and south along not only north A 1909 Mercury Pictorial (9th A 1909 Mercury "Neither St). between Field St and Gardiner (today the dip in West St is tions covered the swampy ground the days before building opera- in provided sport favourite bay, connected the Umgeni with the by originally the stream which formed in the "dip" West Street fishing for eels in the big pond, The boys centre of amusement. (in Durban Bay) was the beach in the 1800s: (1936) who described Durban Accordingly to Hattersley Bird 1888). British Museum – repeated in owned. small ship that Captain Rogers by a particularly of our ships, lately been frequented by some and has of Natal, of the country is the principal This river enough. though within there is water tide, feet of water on it in a spring has not above 10 or 11 which is a bar,the mouth of river But at enough for small ships. and is deep opens pretty wide, where it in latitude 30 S, ocean, geth itself into the East Indian dischar- which (uMngeni River), makewhich of Natal up the river meet by degrees, some of which tlwsrn ie it was very tide, At low spring (Dampier’s – Voyages Te snw the "Then as now, Simon van der Stel (1690) - dispatch from Commander Following is an extract from a Durban Bay Descriptions of (Hattersley 1936). sale on the Durban market. the first Natal-grown sugar for had which along the Umgeni, waste the Springfield Estate In 1856 a great flood laid marshes." uMngeni is marked of by a series of the this former course of 1860 In a chart Natal coast. visible on satellite images of the deposits beneath Durban and is marked estuarine by thick is former course Natal Bay.This dunes before into discharging Berea Ridge and a line of coastal flowed southward between the ing estuary: the following of the meander- Cooper & Mason (1987) say crabs." swarmedocean beach with white the little-used of the Point, North by those who did not fear sharks. could be easily waded channels and the sand across to the Bluff, nearly possible to walk on dry U THE OF atrly MA (1936). Hattersley, Lower uMngeni - 1870 bridge "…the uMngeni 1936). Durban (in Hattersley, description of his arrival in and wrote the following immigrant to Natal in 1843 Thomas Green was an men." from the mouths of our annexed account taken down seen from the may be further as known in India and here, besides all kinds of fish Natal king’s fish and sun-fish, and in the bay of congers, are eels and ...In the rivers the wax as well the honey. from the natives as they eat but no wax is to be had wax: is abundance of honey and in which house or ship timber, fit for trees, straight and thick with tall, "mijl" square, full a of Natal are two forests, but at the bay stemmed trees; dense forests with short- follows: describes the Bayreport as The crew of the Stavenisse. they found some of the got to the Bay of Natal they When ship Stavenisse. sailors from the wrecked the ship de Noord for the on the searchreporting by i id 1888) (in Bird, M "There are many GN RIVER NGENI and other animals." the home of elephants and sheet of evergreen, all one Berea untouched, The beautiful come from. where I before in Ireland, never seen the like have I that I can give. any description beggars May with the golden tints sunset that evening in But the I had ever seen. most beautiful sight that I thought the Bay had never frightened. of wild fowl that man home the sheet of silver, The inner Bay was like a man had not defaced it. the hands of primitive; was Everything scene. at the grandeur of the "I stood in amazement Lower uMngeni - 2002 bridge (Durban’s water supply was this?" Englishmen will achieve before of the public spirit How long will it be door. every to health and cleanliness bringing and streams street, through every its beneficentUmgeni pouring would long ago have had the they they did that of Maritzburg, as founded the town of Durban, had the Dutch Indeed, lent. tance of four miles and is excel- a dis- is brought bywhich carriers the water of the Umgeni River, or rainremedy water, is to drink the and worms…..At present, and innumerable animalcules ter, if not animal mat- ing vegetable, consequently abound with decay- and are not sunk deep enough, that is taken usually from wells, which evil in Durban is the water, water in the town: lowing account of the drinking Bishop Colenso wrote the fol- Anglican Bishop of Natal, The tants to distraction. which drove the inhabi- sand, became a mass of loose blown scant vegetation rapidly The the base of Berea. developed on the flat plain at The town that became Durban in Durban The uMngeni River "A greater

35 36 h lp a ognl,the … the slope was so gentle, on the inviting green promontory our tent the water….we pitched here and there on the surface of of hippopotamus could be seen where the large heads deep lake, pretty peninsula surrounded by a and then skidded down towards a the summit of this hill reached we benefit Without of roads, side. and difficult ascent on the other faced us in the guise of a steep another challenge (the uMngeni), bed and forded the beautiful river "After we had crossed the sandy drained by a system of canals. The rest of the area is ed lake. some reeds and a small pollut- are the scene described below, All that remains of what was and a new garage development. sewage works the N2 road, now dominated by Seekoei Vlei, going on a hippo hunt in the Alfred Delegorgue describes (1854) in Hattersley (1936). Bishop JW Colenso Garden). vicinity of the present Botanic 1879 (Curries Fountain) in the HW Currie sunk a well in not materially improved until Seekoei Vlei - 2002 H SOIA DESCRIPTION ISTORICAL n fec a,when water ing of each day, into barrels in the early morn- custom was to draw water and the past his/her property, ble for maintaining the furrow property owner was responsi- Each 1983). and Summers, period of 40 years (Meineke the top of Longmarket St for a Botanical Gardens to a point at just below the entrance to was abstracted from a point The water of all the streets. uMsunduze) down the length the same name as (the ‘Dorpspruit’ which carried from the Little Bushman’s River ing water that carried water 1840s by the furrows of flow- was distinguished in the early The town of Pietermaritzburg Pietermaritzburg beards." our eyebrows and our ears, our invading our noses, protection, gave no which our bed clothes finding their way under millions, Mosquitoes attacked us in their crocodiles and hippopotamus …. hill so well placed between the the top of little grass so short, (1848 - Delegorgue). from the uMsunduze in 1903 The first water was pumped with the Chase Valley Stream. was built at the confluence 1901 a water treatment plant Town Bush stream where in Water was also taken from the protection of the vegetation. to protect the water supply via voir caretaker was appointed issue in 1887 when the reser- in the Dorpspruit became an management Catchment town. to provide for the growing Dorpspruit became insufficient the waters of in time, into a piped supply in 1881 and The furrows were converted become an invasive problem. after all these years have and boundaries of the streets, nally planted to indicate the Syringa trees were origi- dren. the delight of town’s chil- to abounded in these furrows, accident at night! Crabs occasionally fell into them by even though pedestrians zens, to the citi- service important This water provided an best. quality was likely to be at its wmiggl nteusnueRvr around 1909. Swimming gala in the uMsunduze River, and the military marquee on and the military washed away the officials’ raft ed by a sudden spate that 1896 the event was interrupt- In which was swum upstream. of ing a race of 300m part includ- swimming gala was held, the annual Each February activities in Pietermaritzburg. venue for most swimming The uMsunduze River was the sewage to below the town. the installed in 1905 to carry the town until a main was water quality problems within This created in Burger St. uMsunduze below the old jail discharge in 1863 was into the Pietermaritzburg’s first sewer and was completed in 1943. built on the main uMsunduze Henley Dam was then (1927). rebuilt within a few years but was year of completion, River.This dam collapsed in the was built on the uMsindusaan was only in 1924 that a dam It ed water into a pipeline. which provid- the Henley area, were set on the tributaries in and by the following year sights " and were already ten years old, willow trees were only eight to Colenso noted in 1854 that the Bishop 1936). (Hattersley, large weeping willows Alexandra Park was shaded by In 1875 the uMsunduze in moved inland from the coast. an outbreak of malaria that was accompanied by Depression, coupled to the Great 53% of average) during 1931, Pietermaritzburg (489mm rain – A severe drought in chairs and all! tables, the banks, very fine in their growthvery e.JmsGen (in Hattersley 1936) James Green, – Rev. Umsundusi was washed away." over and the bridge the colony, highest floods ever known in the there was one of the 1856, April In only time I have seen it there. half-way down the the Town Hill, snow lay 1853, "In September 21, Footbridge between Chapel Street and Alexandra Park - 1866 ". i atrly 1936). (in Hattersley, of Nottingham Road 1850-75 Helena." tree at Napoleon’s grave at St. South was takenAfrica from a tree of all weeping willows in became the parent which cutting, The original planted in this part. weeping willowfirst trees were "There is no record of when the notes that: report A further Miss Smythe –History Boating on the uMsunduze River around1902. er into the ground. sequent incision of the river deep- destabilisation of the soil and sub- resulting in the exotic trees, the river have overgrown with Note how the banks of the years. tion that have taken place over insight into the changes in vegeta- Alexandra Park give an interesting below Chapel St crossing to The pictures of the footbridge just The same site today city’s best attractions South and is one of the Africa in stretches prettiest river is today one of the stretch time it was stated " At the Commercial Rd. Tea Room up towards from a weir below Musson’s popular pastime (see below) the uMsunduze became a Boating on the waters of ". this

37 38 H SOIA DESCRIPTION ISTORICAL 1952 2002 Albert Falls 1912 (see text on p.39) Albert Natal Archives – Hattersley) of Family History, Lamond Narrative G. Mrs. mealies being ground into meal." watched the we children often, Often and turned the wheel. water leading into Burger Street strong stream of A very called. Van der Plank’s I think it was was a mill, Street, near Buchanan used for traffic…..in Loop Street, was which where was, the bridge was A drift made above floods. raging far over its banks in the in the centre through the river had collapsed which Umsundusi, over the Bridge, Victoria were children taken to see we when I was nine, "In 1868, h e os they are destroying the sea cows, sake come and help kill goodness’ saying "for note sent express, I got a the troops with forage. year he had a contract to supply but one There were seven; pos. that I did not shoot his pet hip- shoot where I liked on condition He allowed me to some places. deep in very through the farm, The Umgeni River ran bluff). acres of fenced land (now Otto’s and possessed 17 000 quarters, in his farm 14 miles from head- lived Piet Otto, – a marsh. ‘vlei’ in the good snipe shooting, very "At the bottom of town was Pietermaritzburg stories fromFurther Enormous swarms of locusts than 1000 Elephants in herds of more Lion Buffalo Leopard Southern reed buck Red duiker Marabou Giant eagle owl Goliath heron common Bateleur eagles were Cuckoo hawk Woolly-necked stork Black-breasted snake eagle (not seen for many years) Great snipe Pythons were common Fiddler crabs (Pelomedusidae) in the Bay Side necked turtles Durban hr ayaesilpeevd Many of the species below we would hardly associate with these areas any more. where many are still preserved. to Sweden from insects to hippos, Wahlberg sent several thousand of these, both of whom were avid collectors of specimens. Interesting species were recorded by visited Pietermaritzburg 1839 ) Wahlberg (1838-1856) and Delegorgue (lived 1814 - 1850, The wildlife in the 1800s nldn l h onlns which all the town lands, including all the land in sight of city, "Our shooting ground consisted of papers) Bird (in C. 1845. CW. Pistorius, prowled about the town.." The latter frequently hyenas. there were lots of leopards and and besides this, neighbourhood, plentiful in the game was very "In the early days of town, (in Hattersley 1936). Lucas, GA away to pastures new. had enough of it and went these two but two were shot; my contract". my forage out and I cannot carry Seekoei Valley Hippos and crocodiles in Bushbaby owlShort-eared Crested guinea fowl Green dove Guinea fowl Samango monkey Wattled crane (rare) Ratel/honey badger Bustards and Black kite Mayflies were a staple diet of Marsh owl Saddle-billed stork Marabou stork uMngeni river …Eventually all Glossy ibis near Cato Ridge sleep merable bugs which prevented (Cato Ridge area) – with innu- Lions on the upper uMlazi Cato Ridge Jacana Namaqua dove uMlazi estuary many paintings and photographs ance. yet monotonous appear- hood a wild, giving the whole neighbour- kloofs, except in some of the mountain almost entirely destitute of wood, is around Pietermaritzburg country One early description noted " not the green vista that it is today. Pietermaritzburg in the 1800s was 1936). JW Shepstone (in Hattersley, after jackal." they gave us a run, what breed so long as immaterial of dogs, got pack up a scratch who at times by myself and others, Fox Hill was named er and paauw. duik- oribi, buck, supplied us with riet " This can be seen in the the the banks of uMsunduze Cane rats were common on Hares Blue swallow Bald Ibis Snipe Ground hornbill Hyena Leopard Jackal Duiker Oribi buck) Riet buck (Southern reed Grey rhebok Klipspringer Mozambique spitting cobra Pietermaritzburg the much altered river ecology. which will today be reflected in blance to the original scene, The area has little resem- line. a dam and railway some exotic, some indigenous and etation, covered with thick woody veg- to one riparian vegetation, with grassy grassland area, environment from an extensive opment has changed the river (see p.38) illustrates how devel- series of pictures of Falls Albert A has changed over the years. show how the uMngeni River Only old photographs exist to Upper uMngeni River of the old city.

39 40 and deep. where the water is turbulent and usually is below a waterfall gence) contains 'living water', submer- diviner snake (e.g. ceremonies involving the river The ideal pool for deities. spirit world and the supreme the non-human natural forces, with the living and dead, both system unites people, This belief that gives life’. the ‘snake of the waters snake, water spirits including the river The Zulu people acknowledge HISTORY CULTURAL LOCAL H SOIA DESCRIPTION ISTORICAL Map of Durban Bay - 1823 audy) is strictly prohibited. Saturdays), leNkosazana (Mondays and river on her day - lesuku Accordingly the use of the river to herself. days where she needs to have iNkosazana has rest princess, believed that the heavenly In some areas of KZN it is healing and creation. water, linked to its association with and is directly diviner’s habit, of the is thus an essential part The reed mat in ancient times. emerged from a bed of reeds believe that their people as they for the Zulu people, Reeds are also a key symbol These include: Salem community. times a year by about 78% of the monies are conducted several river cere- In the uMlazi River, good harvest. Goddess for blessings and a into the river to ask the Water) – seeds are thrown Unomkhubulwane (Goddess of honour. Inkosi’s house as a gesture of reeds and take them to the where young girls cut river Umsenga – the reed dance spirits and bless the marriage. to remove evil ding ceremony, in the river prior to the wed- Weddings – the bride will bath diminishing. religious ceremonies are attributes for cultural and respect for the river and its Salem acknowledge that Almost all of the people in for ceremonial purposes. the acceptability of river A degraded river reduces importance. washing being of lesser recreation and clothes supply of building materials, the with common use, use of the river is its most ceremonial Besides bathing,

CONTRIBUTORS HISTORICAL REFERENCES (SEE PAGE 34- 40) aii/osaa ulse 94VnReec oit,Cape Published 1994,Van Riebeeck Society, Town Namibia/Botswana. JA (1838-1856) TravelWahlberg, Journals (and some letters) South African and Volumes 1-3. Pretoria, National Institute for CSIR, Water Research, (1963) Pollution HJ studies in the Umgeni Basin (Natal). Schoonbee, Volumes 1-3. Pretoria National Institute for CSIR, Water Research, rivers. and its bearing on the ecological interpretation of faunal communities in South African (1964) HJ Natal, A hydrobiological investigation of the Umgeni River system, Schoonbee, 512p P.Davis & Sons. Durban : of Old Durban and reminiscences of an emigrant 1850. history G (1899).The Russel, Pietermaritzburg. City Engineers Department, first hundred years. EN and Summers GM (1983) Municipal Engineering in Pietermaritzburg for the Meineke, Pietermaritzburg. Shuter and Shooter, (1936) MoreHattersley,AF Annals of Natal. Volume 13. and the Natal Pietermaritzburg. TownPretoria, and Regional Planning Commission, National Institute for CSIR, WaterAbatement of Pollution in Natal Rivers. Research, (1967) HJ Water Quality and SJ and Schoonbee, Pretorius, PH, Kemp, PAJ, Brand, Volumes 1&2. Press. University of Natal Published 1990, (1848) Delegorgue,A Travels in Southern Africa. Pietermaritzburg. Davis & Sons, P. J (1888) The Bird, Annals of Natal 1495 – 1845. utrlapcs,C hm(nvriyo aa utrlapcs,Sunday Tribune Tham (University of Natal - cultural aspects), (Durban picture). CA cultural aspects), Penny Barnard (Rhodes University - Ferdy de Moor (Albany Museum – picture – extinct mayfly), (satellite images), CapeSkelton (South of Environment Department TownAfrican Institute for Affairs, Aquatic Biodiversity - fish sketches), Paul (historical pictures), Natal Museum and Killi Campbell library Natal Durban-WestvilleWitness, – invertebrate data). Shamilla Nunkumar (University of wetlands),Tony Bailey and Siobhan Jackson (eThekwini Municipality – water quality), Don Kotze (University of Natal – Rob Markham (Msinsi Holdings – dam recreation), (University of Natal – dragonflies), Mike Samways Kathleen Gordon-Grey – riparian vegetation), (long time expert Irrigation Board – uMlazi catchment), Roy Burns (Umlaas Wadeson (IWR EnvironmentalAlletson (Alletson Ecologicals – angling), – geomorphology),Angus Jake – trout), Bob Crass (long time enthusiast and expert Nevil Quinn (University of Natal – estuary), Duzi marathon), Steve Ian Bailey (Umgeni Terryalien eradication), Water lower (Umgeni uMlazi and photographs), – Water – pollution, Stan Jacobs (Umgeni (DWAF Charlie Joubert Hugh Dixon-PaverWater (DWAF – – squatter settlements), - aquatic weeds), Nonto Simelane and (Umgeni MikeAlka Ramnath (Umgeni CokeWater (fish specialist), – water quality), Water - GIS maps), photographs),Tobile Cebo Mhlongo Kim Hodgson Bokwe (Umgeni (Umgeni WaterWater – invertebrates), – data), Mark Graham (Umgeni data and Water, data and photographs), Chris Dickens text, (Umgeni co-ordinator, Water, Neels Kleynhans (IWQS – fish and river habitat specialist), (State-of-Rivers co-ordinator), reporting Wilma Strydom Dirk Roux (RHP co-ordinator),Other valuable contributions were made by Ernita van Wyk (CSIR – editor), area coming from eThekwini Water Services. The bulk of the information came from Umgeni details of the Durban with Water’s monitoring programme, is based on data that has been accumulatedThis report by several organisations over a number of years.