Groundwater is an important source of water for many small towns, villages, small-scale farmers.
Most of the groundwater exists in a relatively shallow weathered aquifer
Land uses
- Agriculture, of which commercial and small scale irrigation is about 100,000 ha.
- Main crops are: maize, cotton, vegetables, citrus, wheat, tobacco
- Forestry area: 71,500 ha
- The Kruger National Park is the largest in South Africa, with about 20,000 ha. (mostly in the basin)
Infrastructure:
There are over 2,500 dams, of which 30 are classified as major dams.
Water users in the basin:
- Urban: largely from the river.
- Mining and industry: largely from the river, including small amounts imported from another basin.
- More than half of the electricity in South Africa is generated in the Upper Olifants Basin.
- Agriculture: largely from the river
- "commercial" farmers, who have relatively larger farms, sophisticated technologies, most of which are for export; and
- "small-scale" farmers, most of whom are undercapitalized, with poor support services, lack good market access, and are struggling.
- Recreation: boating and fishing on river and in reservoirs.
- Environment: especially the Kruger National Park.
Water Users Associations will take increasing responsibility for localized management of irrigation infrastructure and control structures, while water boards and local governments are responsible for provision of domestic water services.
Professional capabilities:
- Excellent in the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry and its consultants
- Excellent in universities and research institutes
- Mixed capacities at local levels
- Commercial tourism
- (3 hour wildlife spottings on the Olifant River Cruise departs from Phalaborwa)
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