Metsimotlhabe River

Metsimotlhabe River
Location
Country	Botswana
Physical characteristics
Mouth
• location	Notwane River

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Location of the mouth of the Metsimotlhabe River on the Notwane River 24°26′37″S26°04′52″E / 24.443633°S 26.081107°E / -24.443633; 26.081107

The Metsimotlhabe River is the largest river in the Kweneng District of Botswana, draining the area that lies to the south of Molepolole into the Notwane River, in turn a tributary of the Limpopo River. ^[1] The name "Metsimotlhabe" means "water sand river". ^[2]

The Bokaa Dam was built in 1990/1991 by damming the Metsimotlhabe River just south of Bokaa village. ^[3] Surface drainage in the sandveld surrounding the Metsimotlhabe is limited to pans and dry valleys, which rarely carry surface water. ^[1] Sand extraction from the riverbed has caused problems, since this lowers the water table and causes the surrounding vegetation to die. ^[4] This is a significant economic activity in the District. ^[5] In June 2012 a spokesperson for the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources pointed out that demand was high due to the boom in housing caused by the growing affluence of the country. ^[6]

References

Citations

1. Kweneng District Council 2002, p. 3.
2. Metsimotlhabe.
3. Bokaa Dam - Birdlife International.
4. Kweneng District Council 2002, p. 34.
5. Kweneng District Council 2002, p. 123.
6. Mathala 2012.

Sources

• "Bokaa Dam". Birdlife International. Retrieved 2012-09-18.
• Kweneng District Council (July 2002). "KWENENG DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PLAN 6: 2003 – 2009" . Retrieved 2012-09-19.
• Mathala, Oaitse (27 June 2012). "River sand is diminishing". The Botswana Gazette. Retrieved 2012-09-19.
• "Metsimotlhabe". Archived from the original on 2012-03-31. Retrieved 2012-09-19.