Grap(pe)ling with salinity along Lower Orange

Abstract

Water quality management I t is reported that high water tables and salinisation have been a problem in irrigated areas along the Orange River since 1948. Salt build-up beyond certain limits will certainly be costly to rectify and can irreversibly harm agriculture in the region. It is estimated that 4% of irrigated land in the Northern Cape is already severely affected by salinity or water logging. The Lower Orange Water Management Area (WMA) is located in an arid region with limited rainfall that is characterised by high evaporation losses. The tributary inflows in the area are intermittent, and only contribute to the river flows during periods of unusually high precipitation in the Lower Orange River basin. With the implementation of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project substantial volumes of low salinity water from the Orange River is being diverted to the Vaal River Catchment, leading to increased salt levels in the Gariep and Vanderkloof dams.

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