ABUNDANCE AND SCARCITY: THE STORY OF WATER IN THE Orange–SENQU RIVER BASIN UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations. www.undp.org The GEF unites 182 countries in partnership with international institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and the private sector to address global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives. Today the GEF is the largest public funder of projects to improve the global environment. An independently operating financial organisation, the GEF provides grants for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants. Since 1991, GEF has achieved a strong track record with developing countries and countries with economies in transition, providing $9.2 billion in grants and leveraging $40 billion in co-financing for over 2,700 projects in over 168 countries. www.thegef.org Produced by the UNDP–GEF Orange–Senqu Strategic Action Programme Published by the Orange–Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM), www.orasecom.org First published in 2014. Copyright © ORASECOM, www.orasecom.org ORASECOM Report 001/2014 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including film, microfilm, transparency, photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the copyright holder. Photography © Greg Marinovich/UNOPS, with the exception of covers; pp. 8–9; 18 (top right and bottom); 42 (bottom right); 44; 45; 48; 49; 52; 54–55; 56; 58; 59; 62; 64–65; and 68, which are copyright © Leonie Marinovich/UNOPS, and p. 57, which is copyright © Christoph Mor/UNOPS. Written by Greg Marinovich. Edited by Carole Roberts. Proofread by Liz Haines and Sharon Montgomery. Designed by Handmade Communications. Map by Elmi Pretorius. Printed by Multiprint Litho. ISBN 978-0-620-60180-1 ABUNDANCE AND SCARCITY: THE STORY OF WATER IN THE Orange–SENQU RIVER BASIN 2 FOREWORD The Orange–Senqu River basin is one of the largest in southern Africa. From the Orange–Senqu’s headwaters in the highlands of Lesotho the river is joined by numerous tributaries on its westward journey, draining significant areas of Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. More temperate in the east, the climate of the basin becomes increasingly arid towards the west. Rainfall is variable, both in time and space, subjecting the basin to droughts and floods. Nevertheless, the Orange–Senqu provides the water required to drive the most economically active region in southern Africa, supports large-scale irrigation and meets the domestic needs of several million inhabitants. Water supply required to meet the various demands has been assured through the con- struction of numerous dams and a series of transfer schemes that store and move water to areas and at times when it would otherwise not be available. In western areas, much of the rural and urban water requirements are met by tapping the basin’s groundwater resources. Whilst important for economic development, this remarkable operation of the basin’s water resources comes at a price. Extensive water abstraction for urban, industrial and agricultural purposes has significantly altered the natural flow of the river system. The frequency, size and duration of floods are also affected. These changes adversely affect the health of the river, the resources and ecosystems it supports and the services they provide. To maintain these important ecological functions and secure resources in the long term, it is essential that the Orange–Senqu is managed effectively, efficiently and sustainably. ORASECOM promotes such an integrated approach to water management. 3 To help the four basin nations plan on how to manage the river basin sustainably and equitably, we require a thorough understanding of the priority problems, their underlying causes and the impacts they have. Such an analytical study was recently carried out by the Orange–Senqu Strategic Action Programme, through the assistance of our international cooperating partners, UNDP–GEF. The study – or transboundary diagnostic analysis, as it is known – provides the technical and analytical basis on which strategic plans have been developed to address the problems. Based on findings of theOrange–Senqu Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis, this publication provides a rich description of the river basin – its resources, the people and economies it supports, and its problems. Greg and Leonie Marinovich’s powerful photographs capture the very essence of the Orange–Senqu, and Greg’s writing offers an engaging and thought-provoking read for a wide audience. This photographic essay is intended to create awareness of the importance of this river basin, its vital water resources and the challenges in managing them. Furthermore, it provides an insight into the diversity of the basin and the importance of a common understanding of pertinent management challenges to the nations which share the river basin and collaborate to address them. I trust you will find the insights inspiring. We look forward to your contribution towards improved basin cooperation and sustainable development. Lenka Thamae Executive Secretary ORASECOM Secretariat 16°E 18°E 20°E 22°E 24°E 26°E 28°E 30°E 32°E 34°E 22°S 22°S Gobabis 4 Swakopmund WINDHOEK BOTSWANA This publication was produced NAMIBIA by the Orange–Senqu Strategic Rehoboth po Leonardville po im Action Programme on behalf of Kang L Hukuntsi Polokwane ORASECOM. It is based on the 24°S 24°S findings of a study that prioritises Stampriet Olifants Molepolole and analyses problems and challenges Mariental Jwaneng GABORONE related to the management of the h Kayne is Nossob Orange–Senqu River basin. Drawing F 5 Lobatse Makopong Nelspruit Auob Good Hope on the I o Orange–Senqu River Basin R p Rustenburg PRETORIA o A l H o Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis A M WI D L Mahiikeng TWA AN 26°S A Tsabong TERSR 26°S K rts and a number of other relevant a t-H JohannesburgJohannesburg LEGEND Konkiep Khawa o it Mooi o ru r p Klein G s sources, it is told through the pen of Keetmanshoop A n B o Potchefstroom o Place T Mier k H Groot Mier Vaal Barrage S Vaal Greg Marinovich, a South African E Seeheim S Vryburg Klerksdorp Perennial river Löwen Orkney Vaal Klip P o Bokspits Ge Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist E p an luksp Sandspruit Bak o Kurum Harts ruit K R ol a Ephemeral river R lk G M s Taung p and author, and seen through the E Klip r B Kuruman Bloemhof u E Dam Vaal i Taung t IE 9 Vals E T G camera lenses of Greg and Leonie h Ramsar site Rosh Pinah 1 is N F A Marinovich. This book takes the 28°S Sand As R Protected area 28°S Hom Sendelingsdrif ICHTERSVEL Upington Springfontein Wilge R D Aussenkehr O Delportshoop N 2 Vet Pan reader on an illustrative journey r Elands I a Khubus Kanoneiland n 3 g Riverton e ar A D Noordoewer AUGRABIES Keimoes e Vaal ok Tugela Orange−Senqu River basin through the basin from source to sea, ang Kimberley oh 10 T Or e FALLS Alexander Bay Kakamas Modder Ficksburg M M Vioolsdrift A N Paarden Island H Douglas L O Provincial boundary highlighting the benefits drawn from a Maputsoe r Bloemfontein T U Pofadder tb e n I Port Nolloth e g 7 o u e n o d Katse q International boundary ra p o e O this river system and the challenges s ier rrt l n O Ri T t a Se 6 et C M Springbok O MASERU facing those living there and those r G an Welbedacht Prieska ge R National parks Sak O E A LESOTHO B 8 Durban managing these vital water resources. n Trompsburg LESOTHO 30°S S g Brak Vanderkloof 1 /Ai-/Ais–Richtersveld Transfrontier30°S Park T B e Philippolis N r e s Mount Moorosi E L Springfontein n C K 2 Augrabies National Park A g ge A u an Quthing Or R N e De Aar l Gariep 3 Golden Gate Highlands National Park a D Aliwal North N T Kraai Seekoei C I u A 4 Karoo National Park k O C r Bra n r n g E e Sak ei er n l s C 5 Kgalagadi Transfontier Park R K O t e n Vis Middelburg o Brak O Maloti–Drakensberg Transfrontier C s t 6 e r E N Conservation Area Riet A 32°S A 7 Mokala National Park N I 32°S D N 8 Sehlabathebe National Park The Orange–Senqu River and its tributaries 4 I drain almost a million square kilometres 9 Tsau//Khaeb National Park from the temperate highlands of Lesotho Great Fis 10 Ts’ehlanyane National Park h East London and eastern South Africa to the increasingly Ramsar sites N SOUTH AFRICA SUNDAYS RIVER arid lands that predominate in Botswana, VALLEY A Barberspan Namibia and South Africa in the west. B CAPE TOWN Blesbokspruit 34°S Port Elizabeth C Lets’eng-la-Letsie 34°S 0 100 200 300 km D Orange River estuary E Seekoeivlei 16°E 18°E 22°E 24°E 26°E 28°E 30°E 32°E 16°E 18°E 20°E 22°E 24°E 26°E 28°E 30°E 32°E 34°E 22°S 22°S Gobabis Swakopmund WINDHOEK BOTSWANA 5 NAMIBIA Rehoboth po Leonardville po im Kang L Hukuntsi Polokwane 24°S 24°S Stampriet Olifants Molepolole Mariental Jwaneng GABORONE h Kayne is Nossob F 5 Makopong Lobatse Auob Nelspruit I o Good Hope R p Rustenburg PRETORIA o A l H o A M WI D L Mahiikeng TWA AN 26°S A Tsabong TERSR 26°S K rts a t-H JohannesburgJohannesburg LEGEND Konkiep Khawa o it Mooi o ru r p Klein G s Keetmanshoop A n B o Potchefstroom o Place T Mier k H Groot Mier Vaal Barrage S Vaal