Overarching Strategy For the Sabie

and Crocodile River Systems

Areas Included:– Nelspruit

– White River

– Karino Plaston

– Nsikazi South

– Matsulu

Crocodile River Catchment

Water Balance For Crocodile River Without Interventions

EnvisagedIntervention

ExpectedBenefit

million m3/a

Expected Starting

Date

Time toFull Yield/ Saving (Y)

WC/WDM 4.4 2014 5

Groundwater development 0.5 2014 1

IAP Removals 4.4 2014 16

Operating rules White River Dams 1 2014 1

Water Trading 4.3 2014 5

Boschjeskop (or other) Dam 19.5 2018 5

Intervention Options For Crocodile River Catchment

Water Balance For Crocodile River With Interventions – No Dam

ResourceGroundwater

IAPs

Operating Rules

Water Balance For Crocodile River With Interventions & Dam

ResourceGroundwater

IAPs

Operating Rules

Boschjeskop Dam

• Low growth water requirements scenario can be met• A dam will be required to meet the high growth water

requirements scenario.• Dam could be upstream or downstream of MLM. If

downstream, water swops between MLM and irrigators will be required.

• Effect on aquatic environment needs to be investigated if lower dam is chosen

Conclusions For Crocodile River

• The current IAP removal programme should be checked and if necessary, the focus areas should be changed and the programme accelerated.

• WC/WDM Plans and implementation strategy to be developed

• Groundwater can be developed to contribute in overcoming the short term water shortages

Urgent Actions Required

• Area of fallow irrigation lands with water entitlements with no or limited risks of farm workers losing jobs which can possibly be earmarked for water trading.

• The preferred dam option needs to be selected. Choice between Boschjekop, Mountain View and Strathmore Dams.

Towards Final Strategy – Further Information Required

Areas Included:– Hazyview

– Nsikazi North

Sabie River Catchment

Water Balance Sabie River Catchment Without Interventions

EnvisagedIntervention

ExpectedBenefit

million m3/a

Expected Starting

Date

Time toFull Yield/ Saving (Y)

WC/WDM (15%) 0.9 2014 5

Groundwater development 0.3 2014 1

Purchase irrigation entitlements 4.3 2014 5

Intervention Options For Sabie River

Water Balance For Sabie River With Interventions

ResourceGroundwater

Water Trading

• WC/WDM and groundwater development will improve the situation but will not achieve the required water balance.

• To achieve the water balance, water trading needs to be considered. The area of fallow irrigation lands with water entitlements with no or limited risks of farm workers losing jobs which can possibly be earmarked for water trading, needs to be .

Conclusions For Sabie River Catchment

• Development of the WC/WDM plan and implementation strategy

• Borehole siting with latest technology• DWA to develop a policy for water trading

Urgent Actions Required

• The area of fallow irrigation lands with water entitlements with no or limited risks of farm workers losing jobs which can possibly be earmarked for water trading.

• The environmental water requirements of the Sabie River if the Reserve is optimised.

Towards Final Strategy – Further Information Required

Facilitated Discussion