Project Name
BUFFALO RIVER ESTUARY
SITUATION ASSESSMENT REPORT
Prepared for:
Department of Environmental Affairs: Oceans Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and Coasts
Prepared by:
EOH Coastal & Environmental Services EAST LONDON 25 Tecoma Street, Berea East London, 5214 043 726 7809 Also in Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and Maputo www.cesnet.co.za | www.eoh.co.za
March 2016
EOH Coastal & Environmental Services i Buffalo River Estuary
Draft Situation Assessment Report – March 2016
THE PROJECT TEAM
Dr Alan Carter – Team Leader, stakeholder engagement, legislation and policy and report review
Alan is an Executive at EOH CES, holds a PhD in Marine Biology and is a certified Public Accountant, with extensive training and experience in both financial accounting and environmental science disciplines with international accounting firms in South Africa and the USA. He has 15 years’ experience in environmental management and has specialist skills in sanitation, coastal environments and industrial waste. Alan is registered as a Professional Natural Scientist under the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) and is a Certified Environmental Assessment Practitioner (CEAPSA).
Amy Hunter – Project Manager, stakeholder engagement and data gathering
Amy is an Environmental Consultant at EOH-CES. Amy holds a B.Sc. in Biochemistry and Zoology as well as a B.Sc. Honours in Zoology, both from the University of Johannesburg. Her honours project investigated the role of a tenebrionid beetle in the ecology of Bakwena Cave, Pretoria. Her M.Sc project, through Stellenbosch University, was a study on the effects of probiotics on the physiological and biochemical development of hatchery raised dusky kob (Argyrosomus japonicus) larvae. Her professional interests and passion lies within coastal and marine ecology as well as the development of sustainable aquaculture in South Africa. Amy has experience in a wide variety of areas with particular focus on aquaculture EIAs, coastal development EIAs and EMPs as well as coastal management programmes
Dr Cherie-Lynn Mack – Stakeholder engagement and data gathering
Cherie-Lynn, is a Principal Environmental Consultant at EOH CES and holds a PhD and MSc (with distinction) degrees in Environmental Biotechnology, with a BSc degree in Microbiology and Biochemistry. She has postgraduate research experience in industrial and domestic wastewater treatment technologies, with particular emphasis on the coal and platinum mining industries. Her interests lie in the water sector, with experience in ecological reserve determination and water quality monitoring and analysis. She has experience in water quality analysis and industrial wastewater treatment research. She currently manages and provides environmental input into a number of renewable energy projects, including wind and solar energy facilities.
Caitlin Smith – Data gathering
Caitlin holds a BSc degree with majors in Geology and Geography as well as a BSc Honours degree in Geology both from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Caitlin has four years’ experience as a geologist in the heavy mineral sand mining industry. Caitlin is a Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat) under SACNASP.
Thina Mgweba – Data gathering
Thina holds a B.Sc. in Economics and Environmental Science as well as a B.Sc honours in environmental science both from Rhodes University. Her honours dissertation investigated climate change resilience and adaptation in the coastal villages of Hamburg, Eastern Cape. Her professional interests include the development of climate change strategies, environmental economic analyses as well as social impact.
EOH Coastal & Environmental Services ii Buffalo River Estuary Draft Situation Assessment Report – March 2016
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Will complete Executive Summary when the rest of the report is complete.
EOH Coastal & Environmental Services i Buffalo River Estuary
Draft Situation Assessment Report – March 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ...... 7 1.1. Background ...... 7 1.2. Geographic context ...... 7 1.3. Purpose of Situation Assessment Report ...... 9 2. LEGISLATIVE INSTUMENTS AND RELATED STRATEGIES AND PROGRAMMES ...... 10 3. CATCHMENT CHARACTERISTICS ...... 12 3.1. The Buffalo River Catchment (R20) ...... 12 3.2. Geology and Geomorphology ...... 13 3.3. Climate and Runoff ...... 16 3.4. Land-use ...... 16 3.5. Management of the catchment ...... 18 3.5.1. Mzimvubu to Tsitsikamma Catchment Management Agency (CMA) ...... 18 3.5.2. Adopt-a River Programme ...... 19 3.6. Water use Monitoring ...... 20 3.6.1. Amatole Water Supply System Reconciliation Strategy ...... 20 3.7. Water Quality monitoring: ...... 20 3.7.1. The River Health Programme ...... 20 3.7.2. Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality ...... 21 3.7.3. Department of Water and Sanitation ...... 21 3.8. Water resource overview ...... 23 3.8.1. Groundwater ...... 23 3.8.2. River status ...... 24 3.9. Catchment water quality ...... 26 3.10. Ecological Reserve Study ...... 29 3.11. Infrastructure ...... 29 4. OVERVIEW OF ECOLOGICAL FUNCTION AND STATE OF ESTUARY ...... 31 4.1. Physical description and estuarine area of influence ...... 31 4.1.1. Estuary Classification ...... 31 4.1.2. Estuarine Functional Zone ...... 31 4.1.3. Estuarine Zone of Influence ...... 32 4.1.4. Existing Infrastructure ...... 33 4.2. Ecological Health Status ...... 36 4.2.1. National Biodiversity Assessment – Estuary Component ...... 36 4.2.2. Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan ...... 38 4.3. Abiotic Function ...... 39 4.3.1. Hydrology ...... 40 4.3.2. Hydrodynamics and Mouth State ...... 40 4.3.3. Water Chemistry (salinity) ...... 40 4.3.4. Sediment Quality ...... 41 4.3.5. Other physico-chemical parameters ...... 41 4.3.6. Estuarine water quality ...... 42 4.3.7. Climate change ...... 44 4.4. Biotic Function ...... 45 4.4.1. Flora ...... 45 4.4.2. Fauna ...... 49 5. ECOSYSTEM GOODS SERVICES AND THREATS TO ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING .... 50 5.1. Introduction ...... 50 5.2. Socio-economic profile ...... 51 5.3. Goods and services provided by the Buffalo River Estuary ...... 51 5.3.1. The resource...... 51 5.3.2. Resource users ...... 52 5.4. Threats to ecological functioning and ecosystem services ...... 56 6. OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE EMP ...... 61 6.1. Introduction ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. 6.2. Opportunities ...... 61 EOH Coastal & Environmental Services ii Buffalo River Estuary
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6.2.1. TNPA Long Term Port Framework ...... 61 6.3. Constraints ...... 65 7. RECOMMENDATIONS TO ADDRESS MAJOR INFORMATION GAPS ...... 66 8. REFERENCES...... 67 APPENDIX A: STAKEHOLDERS ...... 68 APPENDIX B: LEGISLATION ...... 71
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.1: The locality of the Buffalo River Estuary within the Buffalo River Catchment ...... 8 Figure 1.2: An aerial image of the Buffalo River estuary and Port of East London ...... 8 Figure 2.3: Maps from the coastal EMF that will have significant implications for spatial planning and development along Buffalo River estuary...... 89 Figure 2.4: BCMM Biodiversity Priority Conservation Plan ...... 96 Figure 3.1. Geology of the Buffalo River Catchment...... 14 Figure 3.2. Topographical map of the Buffalo River Catchment...... 15 Figure 3.3. Land use map of the Buffalo River Catchment...... 17 Figure 3.4. Land use map of the Buffalo River Estuary...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 3.5: Port of East London Precinct Map (Port of East London: SEA (2007)) ...... 34 Figure 3.6: Ecological category of the rivers within the Buffalo River catchment...... 25 Figure 3.6: Da Gama Textiles industrial effluent stored in dams in the Buffalo River catchmentError! Bookmark not defined. Figure 3.5: Infrastructure map for the Buffalo River Catchment...... 30 Figure 4.1: The Buffalo River Estuarine Functional Zone as indicated by the 5 m contour data...... 32 Figure 4.2 Simplified Estuary Health Index ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 4.4 Illustration of the distribution of Ecological Categories on a continuum ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 4.3: The Terrestrial Critical Biodiversity Areas along the Buffalo River EFZ as defined by the ECBCP...... 39 Figure 4.4: Monitoring points within the Port of East London as part of the TNPA sediment quality monitoring programme ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 4.5: The 5 meter exclusion line (red) and the 10 meter precautionary line (orange) for the Buffalo River estuary...... 45 Figure 5.1: Wards in the Buffalo River Catchment Area ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 6.1: East London Yacht Club ...... 53 Figure 6.2: The Buffalo River Rowing Club ...... 53 Figure 6.3: The Buffalo River Ski Boat Club ...... 53 Figure 6.4: Sea Spirit Fisheries ...... 54 Figure 6.5: The NSRI ...... 54 Figure 6.6: Latimers Landing ...... 54 Figure 6.7: SAPS Water Wing ...... 54 Figure 6.8: Mercedes Benz South Africa ...... 54 Figure 6.9: First Creek, where a large majority of effluent that enters the Buffalo River estuary is derived from...... 56 Figure 6.10: Second Creek, where a large majority of effluent that enters the Buffalo River estuary is derived from. . 56 Figure 6.11: A stormwater drain that discharges stormwater into the estuary from the port and surrounding areas .. 56 Figure 6.12: Fishermen’s footpaths and fishing spots where little vegetation is removed ...... 59 Figure 6.13: Industrial effluent being discharged into the Buffalo River Estuary ...... 59 Figure 6.16: Floating and fixed jetties have been constructed within the Buffalo River estuary ...... 60 Figure 6.17: The construction of slipways within the Buffalo River estuary ...... 60 Figure 6.18: the presence of gabions to stabilise the banks of the Buffalo River estuary ...... 60 Figure 6.19: Quays within the Buffalo River estuary ...... 60 Figure 6.20: Road and railway bridges that have been constructed within the Buffalo River estuary ...... 60
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1: Impacts of extreme significance for various Eastern Cape sectors as identified in the preliminary risk assessment process...... 82 Table 2.2: Recommended programmes in response to the impacts of extreme significance identified in the systematic risk assessment...... 83 Table 2.3: Description and Management Objective for each of the proposed Geographical Areas ...... 90 Table 3.1: A summary of the Ecological Categories as defined by the NFEPA project .... Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 3.2: Quality of effluent from waste water treatment works discharging into the Buffalo River catchment ...... 27 Table 3.1: Summary of the Provisional EcoClassification for estuaries in South Africa’s temperate regions resulting from their Present Ecological Status, Ecological Importance, Protection Status and Recommended Ecological Category, as well as recommended mitigation measures to achieve Provisional Recommended Ecological Categories for the water, land-use and development and fisheries sectors ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 4.1: Estuarine Health Classes used to indicate the PES of South Africa’s estuariesError! Bookmark not defined. Table 4.2: A detailed assessment of the health condition of the Buffalo River estuary (van Niekerk and Turpie,2012)...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 4.1: The relationship between loss of ecosystem condition and functionality. Further detail in each management category (A to F) provided in Table 3.1 (Van Niekerk et al. 2013) ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 4.5: A summary of the individual abiotic (hydrology, hydrodynamics, water quality, physical habitat) and biotic (microalgae, macrophytes, invertebrate, fish, bird) component categories; the aggregated Habitat and Biotic Health categories and the Present Ecological Status for the Temperate estuaries Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 4.6. Terrestrial Critical biodiversity Areas and Biodiversity Land Management Classes as described by the Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan...... 38 Table 4.7: Summary of the Hydrodynamic condition (using mouth state as a proxy) of the temperate estuaries in South Africa, including the key pressures contributing to modification ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 4.8: Guideline sediment (Jackson, 2000) quality limits for South Africa. For sediment samples, target contaminant concentrations should be the lower Action Level...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 4.8: Summary of the Hydrology condition of Temperate estuaries in South Africa, including the key shifts in hydrological parameters contributing to modification ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 4.9: Summary of the salinity health of the temperate estuaries in South Africa, including the key pressures contributing to modification ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 4.10: ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 4.11: Summary of the water quality conditons of the Temperate estuaries in South Africa, including the key pressures contributing to modification of water quality for degraded systems (rated less than a B) ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 4.12. Guideline marine water (DWAF, 1995) quality limits for South Africa...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 4.4: The vegetation types found within the Buffalo River Estuarine area of influent (Muncina and Rutherford, 2006) ...... 47 Table 4.12: An overview of the Microalgae health of the Temperate estuaries and the key parameters and/or pressures causing significantly modification in health condition (estuaries rated less than a B Category). .... Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 4.13: An overview of the macrophyte health of the temperate estuaries and the key parameters and/or pressures causing significantly modification in health condition (estuaries rated less than a B Category) ..... Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 4.14: An overview of the invertebrate health of the Temperate estuaries and the key parameters and/or pressures causing significantly modification in health condition (estuaries rated less than a B Category) ..... Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 4.15: An overview of the fish health of the Temperate estuaries and the key parameters and/or pressures causing significant modification in health condition (estuaries rated less than a B Category)Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 4.16: An overview of the bird health of the Temperate estuaries and the key parameters and/or pressures causing significantly modification in health condition (Estuaries rated less than a B Category).Error! Bookmark not defined.
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Table 6.1: The ecosystem goods and services provided by the Buffalo River estuary...... 51 Table 6.2: The nature and significance of identified threats to the ecosystem goods and services provided by the Buffalo River estuary...... 57
EOH Coastal & Environmental Services v Buffalo River Estuary Draft Situation Assessment Report – March 2016 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
BCMM Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality CBA Critical Biodiversity Area CSIR Council for Scientific and Industrial Research DEA Department of Environmental Affairs DEA: O+C Department of Environmental Affairs: Oceans and Coasts DEDEAT Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism DWS Department of Water and Sanitation ECBCP Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan (2007) ECPHRA Eastern Cape Province Heritage Resources Agency ECPTA Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency EIA Environmental Impact Assessment ICMA Integrated Coastal Management Act (Act No. 24 of 2008) IDP Integrated Development Plan MBSA Mercedes Benz South Africa MLRA Marine Living Resources Act (Act No. 18 of 1998) MSA Municipal Systems Act (Act No. 32 of 2000) NBA National Biodiversity Assessment 2011 NCMP National Coastal Management Plan (2015) NEM: BA National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act No. 10 of 2004) NEM: PAA National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (Act No. 57 of 2003) NEMA National Environmental Management Act (Act No. 107 of 1998) NEMP National Estuary Management Protocol (2013) NHRA National Heritage Resources Agency NMMU Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University NPA National Ports Act (Act No. 12 of 2005) PCC Provincial Coastal Committee SANBI South African National Biodiversity Institute SDF Spatial Development Framework SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment SPLUMA Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (Act No. 16 of 2013) TNPA Transnet National Ports Authority
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Draft Situation Assessment Report – March 2016 1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background
Estuarine ecosystems are not isolated systems. They form an interface between marine and freshwater aquatic systems and are part of regional, national and global aquatic ecosystems either directly via water flows, or indirectly through the movement of fauna. In addition to the biota that these estuaries support, they provide a range of goods and services (uses) to the inhabitants of the estuarine regions. Disturbances to an estuary can influence a wide variety of habitats and organisms in the associated freshwater or marine ecosystem. Thus, the interaction between the systems and users creates a delicate balance, the sustainability of which needs to be maintained by implementing an appropriate management plan.
The urgent need for Estuary Management Plans (EMPs) in South Africa became apparent during the development of the Integrated Coastal Management Act (Act 24 of 2008; ICMA). Historically, estuaries and the management thereof have not been adequately addressed by marine, freshwater and biodiversity conservation legislation. However, the ICMA recognises the importance of estuaries and their management, and outlines a National Estuarine Management Protocol (NEMP) to support this. The protocol identifies the need and minimum requirements for the development of EMPs, and also delegates responsibility to the relevant authorities and agencies in an attempt to help align and coordinate estuaries management at a local level. The NEMP identifies three phases in the development of an Estuary Management Plan. The phases are:
1. Scoping phase, which includes initial stakeholder engagement and the development of the Situation Assessment report 2. Objective setting phase where: Vision and objectives for estuary management are identified, Geographical boundaries of the estuary are delineated and graphically represented, Spatial zonation of activities is determined Management objectives and activities are described An integrated monitoring plan is developed, and Institutional capacity and arrangements are discussed. 3. Implementation phase, which is based on: The development of an implementation strategy and project plans, Continuous monitoring and performance evaluation, based on performance indicators, and Review of the EMP every five years
EOH Coastal & Environmental Services (EOH CES) has been contracted by DEA and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) to develop the Buffalo River Estuary Management Plan. This report fulfils the requirements of Phase 1, namely the Situation Assessment.
1.2. Geographic context
The Buffalo River estuary is located within East London in the Eastern Cape. The Buffalo River is considered to be a small system of 125 km, with a catchment area of 1276 km2 (Figure 1). The Buffalo River originates in the Amatole Mountains where it passes through King Williams Town and through Zwelitsha and Mdantsane. It then passes through low altitude coastal forest in the lower reaches to the head of the estuary in East London.
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Figure 1.1: The locality of the Buffalo River Estuary within the Buffalo River Catchment
The main feature of the Buffalo River estuary is the Port of East London, which is the only river port in South Africa (Figure 1.2)
Figure 1.2: An aerial image of the Buffalo River estuary and Port of East London
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1.3. Purpose of Situation Assessment Report
The Situation Assessment has been developed in order to provide a detailed background of the Buffalo River Estuary. The Situation Analysis also serves to inform the development of the EMP and the subsequent Implementation and Project Plans.
The Situation Assessment reviews all existing local information available for the Buffalo River estuary as well as the catchment in the form of local research reports and management processes. A map of the estuary has been developed, which identifies different habitats and potential and existing management zones. The map also identifies and records all developments in at least a 1000m zone surrounding the estuary. The possible direct impacts of these and other local developments must be noted.
The description of the current situation includes information on:
Legal requirements relevant to the Buffalo River estuary, Requirements stipulated under existing institutional Management Strategies such as Catchment Management Strategies (CMSs), Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) (including Strategic Development Frameworks (SDF) and Water Services Development Plans (WSDPs), Ramsar & National Heritage Site Strategies, Protected Area & Conservation Plans relevant to the Buffalo River estuary, The biophysical environment (present ecological health and important physical processes), The socio-economic environment (such as demographics & economic profile, land-use and planning provisions, cultural & heritage resources, water supply & demand, waste management), Conservation planning, The exploitation of estuarine resources, Mariculture activities, Resource Directed Measures, such as classification and Reserve, and Current institutional structures governing estuarine issues
The estuary will be represented spatially in the form of a geographic information systems (GIS) map that will indicate the following:
Important biophysical features, All protected/conservation areas, Areas earmarked for rehabilitation, Land-use and planning provisions of surrounding lands, Infrastructure, Cultural and heritage sites, Recreational activities, Living resource exploitation, Mariculture activities, Wastewater discharges, Stormwater drains, and Solid waste dumping sites.
Finally, an assessment of the opportunities and constraints (legal obligations, constraints of tenure, prior usage, health and safety, natural hazards, for example) should be done to guide the development of the EMP.
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2. LEGISLATIVE INSTUMENTS AND RELATED STRATEGIES AND PROGRAMMES
Various legislation and policy is relevant to the management of estuaries, and also specific to the Buffalo River estuary (such as local by-laws and sector plans).
The following table summarises the relevance of the various legislation and policy to the Buffalo River estuary. A detailed description of the relevant legislation and policy is provided at Appendix B.
Relevant legislation and policy Relevance to the Buffalo River EMP National legislation The South African Constitution Provides for overall environmental protection National Environmental Management Act (107 of Provides environmental and sustainability principles 1998) as amended relevant to the EMP and EIA requirements National Environmental Management: Integrated Provides specific coastal restrictions on activities in Coastal Management Act (24 of 2008) (NEM: ICMA) the estuary Marine Living Resources Act (18 of 1998) (MLRA) Provides for the protection of living resources that are exploited in the estuary. National Environmental Management: Protected Provides for protection of vulnerable or critical Areas Act (57 of 2003) (NEM:PAA) habitats within and around the estuary. National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Provides for the protection of all biodiversity within Act (10 of 2004) – (NEM:BA) the Buffalo River estuary environment. National Environmental Management: Air Quality Provides for the control of air emissions and air Act (39 of 2004) – (NEM:AQA) quality within the Buffalo River estuary environment. National Water Act (36 of 1998) (NWA) Provides for the control of alien plant species located within the Buffalo River estuary environment. National Forests Act (84 of 1998) Provides for the protection of any forest located within the Buffalo River estuary environment. Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (43 of Provides for the control of alien plant species 1983) (CARA) located within the Buffalo River estuary environment. National Ports Authority Act (5 of 2003) Municipal Systems Act (32 of 2000) as amended Water Services Act (108 of 1997) National Heritage Resources Act (Act No. 25 of 1999) National Environmental Management: Waste Act (59 of 2008) – (NEDM:WA)
National Policy National Climate Change Response White Paper (2012) White Paper for Sustainable Coastal Development (2000) Department of Water Affairs River Health Programme White Paper on a National Commercial Ports Policy National Department of Transport (2002)
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Relevant legislation and policy Relevance to the Buffalo River EMP TNPA Environmental Policy
Other National policies that may have a bearing on the EMP includes (but is not limited to): National Waste Management Strategy (2010) National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan South African Risk and Vulnerability Atlas (SRVA, 2010) National Protected Area Expansion Strategy for South Africa (2008)
Provincial policy
Eastern Cape State of Environment Report (2010) Eastern Cape Climate Change Response Strategy (2011) Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan (ECBCP) (2007) Eastern Cape Coastal Management Programme: 2013 Update DEDEAT Coastal Environmental Management Framework (Kei Mouth to Cannon Rocks) (2012) Other provincial policies and plans Other Provincial policies that may have a bearing on the EMP includes (but is not limited to): Eastern Cape Air Quality Management Plan 2013 Eastern Cape Provincial Integrated Waste Management Plan (PIWMP) 2010 EC Parks and Tourism Conserved Area Expansion Programme (2012) Eastern Cape Sub-Tropical Thicket Ecosystem Planning (STEP) Project
Buffalo City Policy BCMM Integrated Environmental Management Plan (IEMP) (2006) BCMM Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan (2006) BCMM Integrated Waste Management Plan BCMM Conservation plan and MOSS (2010) BCMM MURP MOSS (2012) BCMM Climate Change Strategy (2014) BCMM Sanitation Policy and Strategy (2007) BCMM – Trade Effluent By-law
EOH Coastal & Environmental Services 11 Buffalo River Estuary Draft Situation Assessment Report – March 2016 3. CATCHMENT CHARACTERISTICS
3.1. The Buffalo River Catchment (R20)
The Buffalo River estuary is located at the mouth of the Buffalo River, in East London. The Buffalo River falls within the R20 tertiary catchment of the Mzimvubu to Tsitsikamma Water Management Area WMA 7 (Figure 3.1.)
Figure 3.1: The Buffalo River Catchment (R20) within the Mzimvubu to Tsitsikamma WMA (7).
The major rivers in the catchment include the Buffalo, Mgqakwebe, Tshoxa, Ngqokweni, Tshabo, Yellowwoods. iZele and Cwengqwe rivers. There are four main dams in the catchment; Maden Dam and the much larger Rooikrantz Dam are situated near the source of the river, while Laing Dam and Bridle Drift Dam are located in the middle to lower reaches of the catchment. There are currently no mechanisms in place at any of these dams to allow for the release of water in a controlled pattern (i.e. for simulation of seasonal flows downstream of the dams). Upstream particularly, overflows from Maden Dam and a crack in the Rooikrantz Dam wall are the only releases to reach the rest of the catchment. Inflows from the other large rivers in the catchment make up the major flow in the Buffalo River (River Health Programme, 2004).
The Buffalo River has its source in the seeps and sponges of the Amatola Mountains at an altitude of 1200 m. From its source the river descends through indigenous forest in a deeply incised channel, flanked by rock cliffs up to 120 m high. After only seven kilometres the river drains into the small, century-old Maden Dam and four kilometres downstream of the Maden Dam, into the much larger Rooikrantz Dam. Two major tributaries from the west join the middle section of the Buffalo River (Mgqakwebe just upstream of King William's Town and the Ngqokweni tributary at Zwelitsha). Another important tributary is the Yellowwoods, which flows from the north directly into Laing Dam. When full, Laing Dam covers 203 hectares. From Laing Dam, the Buffalo River flows eastwards for 40 kilometres to Bridle Drift Dam, the largest impoundment on the river. Small streams on the northern bank bring runoff directly into Bridle Drift EOH Coastal & Environmental Services 12 Buffalo River Estuary
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Dam from Mdantsane. From Bridle Drift Dam, the Buffalo River flows through low altitude coastal forest for twenty kilometres, before entering the Indian Ocean through the estuary harbour of East London (River Health Programme, 2004).
3.2. Geology and Geomorphology
The geology of the Buffalo River Catchment is characterised by rocks of the Balfour Formation and Middleton Formation (Adelaide Subgroup, Beaufort Group). The Adelaide Subgroup consists of alternating layers of grey, fine-grained sandstone and greenish-grey, bluish-grey or greyish-red mudstone (Middleton Formation only). These sedimentary rocks have been intruded by dykes, sills and inclined sheets of Jurassic- age dolerite (indicated in red in Figure 3.2). The majority of the catchment consists of soils with minimal development, usually on hard or weathering rock (Leptosols, Regosols, Calcisols, Durisols). Soils with a marked clay accumulation occur closer to the estuary (Luvisols, Planosols, Solonetz).
Elevations along the banks of the estuary average 60 – 80 masl. Refer to Figure 3.3 for a topographical map of the catchment.
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Figure 3.2. Geology of the Buffalo River Catchment.
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Figure 3.3. Topographical map of the Buffalo River Catchment.
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Draft Situation Assessment Report – March 2016 3.3. Climate and Runoff
The Buffalo River Catchment has a warm and temperate climate. Temperatures are moderate in the coastal zone (8 - 39 °C) with a warm mean annual value of 21 °C. Inland temperatures vary between -2 and 42 °C with a mean annual value of 18 °C (State of Rivers Report: River Health Programme, 2004). The Buffalo River catchment receives mainly summer rainfall with (summer rainfall is approximately double that for winter). Mean annual rainfall over the whole catchment is 736 mm but the upper zone provides 40% of the runoff for the whole catchment (Situation Analysis of Water Quality in the Catchment of the Buffalo River: WRC Report No. 405/1/96).
3.4. Land-use
Indigenous forest covers about 7% of the catchment area, while pine and blue gum plantations cover another 4%. A large proportion of the Buffalo River Catchment has been transformed (almost 17 % is considered to be degraded thicket and grassland). Urban built-up areas and industrial areas account for 12% of the catchment (Figure 3.4).
Agriculture is widespread in the middle reaches of the catchment. Although subsistence farming is most common, local areas of intensive irrigation (less than 1%) provide fresh produce and other crops such as lucerne. Dryland cultivation accounts for about 8% of the total catchment. The lower reaches downstream of Bridle Drift Dam comprise coastal forest and the East London harbour, situated in the estuary. Approximately 560 ha of natural forest is conserved in the Umtiza Coastal Nature Reserve (State of Rivers Report: River Health Programme, 2004).
Four dams occur along the Buffalo River with the largest (full supply volume of 101 m3), Bridle Drift Dam, located lower in the catchment. The area surrounding the estuary is largely transformed, with some thicket and bushland remaining (Figure 3.4). Urban/ built up areas around the estuary include the East London harbour, East London CBD, Gately, Greenfields, Woodbrook and Buffalo Flats suburbs.
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Figure 3.4. Land use map of the Buffalo River Catchment.
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Draft Situation Assessment Report – March 2016 3.5. Management of the catchment
3.5.1. Mzimvubu to Tsitsikamma Catchment Management Agency (CMA)
The Mzimvubu to Tsitsikamma CMA is currently under development. The Business Case document was gazetted for public comment on the 29th of January 2016. The objective of the CMA will be to play a supportive role to the Department of Water and Sanitation in the WMA, with the overall aim of taking over much of the function of the DWS in terms of the following goals:
Goal 1: Ensuring Effective Management of Water Use Assisting and supporting the implementing of Water Conservation and Demand Management programmes Monitoring water use for all users in the Water Management Area Develop drought management measures and implement when necessary Monitor the effect of climate change in the catchment management area For water quantity, implement: o RQOs o Licensing o Monitoring o Punitive measures
Goal 2: Catchment Management, Rehabilitation and Land Use Management Improve land use management through advocacy programmes Manage and implement programmes to rehabilitate areas which have degraded either due to alien plant invasion or through poor land use practices, e.g. over grazing Identify wetlands and protect or rehabilitate where necessary Monitor the "fracking" process proposed for the Karoo region Monitor and influence other planning processes where appropriate, e.g. WSDP, IDP, PGDP, SDFs etc. Develop, manage and implement disaster management plans- mainly for floods but could also extend to toxic spills, cholera outbreaks etc.
Goal 3: Enhancing the Quality of Our Water Resources Implement and manage SDC (Source Directed Controls) Implement and manage RDM (Resource Directed Measures) Regulate the effluent discharge at wastewater treatment works Develop and implement a waste discharge charge system in the WMA For water quality, implement: o RQOs o Licensing o Monitoring o Punitive measures
Goal 4: Enhancing Stakeholder Participation in Management of Water Resources Develop, manage and implement community outreach, advocacy and capacity building programmes Develop, manage or participate in stakeholder structures, e.g. Catchment Management Fora, Catchment Management Committees
Goal 5: Ensuring Financial Viability and Administrative Effectiveness Implement a cost recovery financial model Explore ways to widen the revenue base Develop and implement a waste discharge revenue system EOH Coastal & Environmental Services 18 Buffalo River Estuary
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Devise mechanisms to provide financial assistance to resource poor farmers via subsidies Ensure that water licenses are issued and renewed timeously Consider and if feasible, invest in payment for ecosystems rehabilitation and seek funding for the same
Goal 6: Accessing High Quality Information that is Critical for Effective Catchment Management Maintain a central database of information necessary for the functioning of the Catchment Management Agency Establish the relevant infrastructure to support this
Goal 7: Ensure Effective Governance Mechanisms Ensure that the Governing Board is in place, meeting regularly and functional as a unit Establish co-operative governance structure(s) with key National/Provincial departments Establish and maintain a strong functional and cooperative relationship with Water User Associations
These functions will not be transferred to the CMA immediately upon establishment of the CMA, but will be phased in as the CMA builds capacity.
As WMA 7 is a very large, it is proposed that the area be divided into four subregions based on hydrological boundaries:
Region 1: Zwartkops River Catchment Gamtoos River Basin Krom River Catchment
Region 2: Fish River Catchment Bushmans/Kowie River Catchment Sundays River Basin
Region 3: Kei River Basin Amatole Catchments
Region 4: Mzimvubu Basin Pondoland Coast Mtata Basin Mbhashe Basin
The Buffalo River catchment will fall within Region 3.
3.5.2. Adopt-a River Programme
In 2011, the Buffalo River was chosen as one of four flagship projects identified across the country as part of an initiative of the, then, Department of Water Affairs. The objective of the project was to clean up the Buffalo River and its immediate surroundings, from source to sea, as well as to provide life skills training for the participating beneficiaries. Amatola Water was appointed as the implementing agent for the project.
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The project made use of women beneficiaries from areas closest to the river stretching from Stutterheim, through King William’s Town and Zwelitsha to East London. The women, wearing red work suits and bandanas, worked in teams to remove litter, water hyacinth and other physical obstructions from the river.
3.6. Water use Monitoring
3.6.1. Amatole Water Supply System Reconciliation Strategy
The Amatole Water Supply System (AWSS) Reconciliation Strategy was completed in 2008. The Strategy has as its aim to reconcile future water requirements with supply over a 30-year planning horizon, and to provide a framework for decision-making.
The Amatole Water Supply System serves some 1.0 million people, providing water to the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) and certain communities in the Amahlathi and Ngqushwa Local Municipalities, as well as to irrigators along the upper and middle reaches of the Kubusi River. This area is the second largest contributor to the Eastern Cape economy after Port Elizabeth and surrounding area, but is the economic hub of the Border-Kei region.
The main storage dams of the AWSS are the Gubu, Wriggleswade, Rooikrantz, Laing and Nahoon dams (owned by the Department of Water Affairs and operated by the Amatola Water Board) and the Maden and Bridledrift dams (owned and operated by the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality). The Gubu and Wriggleswade dams are located on the Kubusi River, the Maden, Rooikrantz, Laing and Bridledrift dams on the Buffalo River and the Nahoon Dam on the Nahoon River.
Through this strategy, there are currently studies taking place aimed at adapting the scheme (and dam) operating rules to allow for environmental flows within the systems. This would result in a potential return to seasonal flows in areas downstream of major dams. The knock-on effect of this will hopefully be an improvement in the quality of the biological components of the rivers affected.
3.7. Water Quality monitoring:
3.7.1. The River Health Programme
The South African River Health Programme (RHP) primarily makes use of biological indicators (e.g. fish communities, riparian vegetation, aquatic invertebrate fauna) to assess the condition or health of river systems. The rationale for using biological monitoring is that the integrity of biota inhabiting river ecosystems provides a direct, holistic and integrated measure of the integrity or health of the river as a whole.
The goal of the RHP is to serve as a source of information regarding the ecological state of river ecosystems in South Africa, in order to support the rational management of these natural resources.
The objectives of the RHP are to: Measure, assess and report on the ecological state of aquatic ecosystems; Detect and report on spatial and temporal trends in the ecological state of aquatic ecosystems; Identify and report on emerging problems regarding aquatic ecosystems; Ensure that all reports provide scientifically and managerially relevant information for national aquatic ecosystem management.
The programme is the initiative of the Department of Water and Sanitation.
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Figure 3.5 indicates the RHP sample sites within the R20 catchment. The Rivers Database, the repository for all RHP data, is currently operating with severely reduced functionality. Data obtained indicates that sampling of these sites is happening infrequently; 3 sites were last sampled in 2003, 5 in 2010, and 4 in 2014.
Figure 3.5: River Health Programme Sampling Sites within the R20 catchment.
3.7.2. Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
The BCMM Scientific Services Department monitors the final effluent quality from the Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) discharging into the Buffalo River catchment (e.g. Zwelitsha, King Williams Town and Mdantsane). Figure 3.6 indicates the WWTWs in the catchment. More information on this can be found in Chapter 3.7.
3.7.3. Department of Water and Sanitation
RQIS provides national water resource managers with aquatic resource data, technical information, guidelines and procedures that support the strategic and operational requirements for assessment and protection of water resource quality. Functioning aquatic ecosystems and an adequate supply of usable water are fundamental to the survival and development of any nation, and particularly so for water- stressed countries like South Africa.
The national monitoring programmes mostly monitor "raw" surface water quality in rivers and dams and produce long-term trend reports and visualisations of, for example, chemistry, eutrophication, microbiology and ecosystems.
Figure 3.6 indicates the sites within the R20 catchment.
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Figure 3.6: Department of Water and Sanitation: RQIS sample sites and Sewage Treatment Works within the catchment.
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3.8. Water resource overview
3.8.1. Groundwater
The Groundwater Resources Assessment 2 (GRA2) was funded by the Department of Water and Sanitation. The aim of the project was to quantify the groundwater resources of South Africa on a national scale. The project was carried out by a consortium of consultants comprising SRK Consulting, GEOSS, WSM and CSIR (SGWC) in close collaboration with key DWS (then DWA) personnel and was completed in June 2005.
Figure 3.7 indicates that the Buffalo River catchment has an exploitation potential of 10 000 – 100 000 m3/km2/a, however, Figure 3.8 indicates that the catchment groundwater use is minimal, at only 0 – 1000 m3/km2/a (data from 2005). This is based on the fact that surface water resources are able to provide the water requirements for all water users within the catchment (based on 2005 GRA2 data).
Figure 3.7: Groundwater exploitation potential for the Eastern Cape. The R20 catchment is indicated in the inset.
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