Lephalala River
- Overview
- Tributaries
- Geophysical
- Hydrology; Geohydrology
- Ecology
- Climate
- Land-uses
- Populated Places
- References
Overview
The Lephalala River rises in the Waterberg mountains, where the rainfall is relatively high, and flows north to the Limpopo River.
The middle reaches of the Lephalala River consist of a pristine wilderness area, while the dry lower reaches support irrigation from an alluvial aquifer and small weirs which are fed by the Lephalala River.
Tributaries
| Name | Comment |
|---|---|
| Goud River | |
| Jonkmansdrifspruit | |
| Klip River |
Geophysical
Topography
The geological features of the Laphalala sub-catchment are relatively complex since they consist of several different formations of widely differing ages. Most of the upper reaches of the sub-catchment are underlain by a variety of porous consolidated and partially consolidated sedimentary strata, predominantly sandstones, quartzites and felsites of the Waterberg and Soutpansberg Groups.
These have been variously intruded by acidic and basic granites and lavas of the Bushveld Complex, which in turn overlie the crystalline gneissic rocks of the Basement Complex.
Further downstream, the sub-catchment is underlain by a sequence of sandstones and quartzites, followed by carbon-rich mudstones and shales, and then basalts, of the Karoo Sequence.
The sandstones are silicified and resistant to weathering, remaining as harder protruding rock formations that stand well clear of the surrounding undulating terrain to form local mountains or ranges of hills. The erosion-resistant rocks of the Waterberg Group show a similar tendency, standing well clear of the surrounding countryside.
Large areas of the central parts of the sub-catchment are overlain by recent (Quaternary) deposits of unconsolidated or poorly consolidated sandy material.
Soils
Soils in the sub-catchment can be divided into three main groups:
- Moderate to deep sandy-clay loam soils on the sloping and undulating terrain in the upper reaches of the sub-catchment;
- Moderately deep sandy loam soils lining long stretches of the valley bottoms in the middle reaches of the sub-catchment; and
- Shallow to moderately deep sandy soils in flat and undulating terrain in the lower reaches of the sub-catchment.
Most of the clayey loam soils in the upper parts of the sub-catchment are suitable for irrigation when sufficient water is available.
Hydrology and Geohydrology
Hydrology
This sub-catchment consists of the area drained by the Lephalala River and its tributary streams. This river system flow northwards or north-westwards from the area to the west of the town of Nylstroom , joining the Limpopo River downstream of the Mokolo River.
The flow pattern in this river is very variable as a result of the prevailing low and unpredictable rainfalls (average 450 mm) and the long stretches of the river normally only contain surface water during the summer months. Most of their tributary streams are episodic and only flow for short periods of time after local rainfalls in their vicinity. The Lephalala River contains several small dams and numerous off-channel farm dams that are used to supply water for domestic and irrigation purposes, as well as livestock watering (Boroto & Görgens, 1999).
Ecology
Terrestrial Animals
The Lephalala River that runs through the reserve is home to many hippo and crocodile and also attracts a variety of bird life.
Climate
Temperature
The mean annual temperature ranges from 16° to 22° C.
The average maximum is 30°C in the month of January while the average minimum monthly temperature is 4 °C in the month of July.
Rainfall
In general rainfall decreases from the south to the north, with the lowest rainfall occurring in the Limpopo valley in the north-east of the water management area.
Land-use
Agricultural
Small-scale livestock farming is found.
Nature Conservation, Reserves and Tourism
Lephalala Wilderness Game Reserve
Mining
Abbot Poort – Phosphate
Populated Places
| Town | District | Municipality | River / Tributary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbotspoort | Waterberg | Lephalale | Lephalala tributary |
| Ga Seleka | Waterberg | Lephalale | Lephalala tributary |
| GaMonyeki | Waterberg | Lephalale | Lephalala tributary |
| Lephala (Ellisras) | Waterberg | Lephalale | Lephalala tributary |
| Martinique | Waterberg | Lephalale | Lephalala tributary |
| Mmatladi | Waterberg | Lephalale | Lephalala tributary |
| Setateng | Waterberg | Lephalale | Lephalala tributary |
REFERENCES:
Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, South Africa. 2004. Internal Strategic Perspective: Limpopo Water Management Area : Prepared by Goba Moahloli Keeve Steyn (Pty) Ltd, in association with Tlou & Matji (Pty) Ltd and Golder Associates (Pty) Ltd. on behalf of the Directorate: National Water Resource Planning. Report No. P WMA 01/000/00/0304.