RHP South African
River Health Programme
Ecological State of the Major Rivers
of Mpumalanga

Level II Ecoregions

Main Attributes Ecoregion 2.14
Main Rivers Sources Olifants tributaries
Terrain morphology: Broad division Closed hills, mountains, moderate to high relief.
Vegetation types Mixed bushveld
Altitude (m a.m.s.l) 1000-1250; 1250-1500
Geology Granite, quartzite, sandstone, shale
Soils Mostly coarse, sandy & shallow
Mean annual precipitation (mm) 400-600; 600-800
CV (%) of annual precipitation 30-35
Rainfall concentration index (%) 60-65; >65 (limited)
Rainfall seasonality Early summer (peak December or earlier)
Mean annual temperature ( ºC) 16-18
Range of median annual runoff (mm) for
quaternary catchments (natural, simulated)*
40-60; 60-80
CV (%) of annual simulated runoff for quaternary catchments 60-70; 70-80; 80-90
After: Schulze et al. 1997; Low & Rebelo 1996; van Riet et al. 1997
* Based on ACRU model (Schulze et al. 1997)
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