Quantifying the links between patterns of riparian vegetation and flow on South African rivers. Current knowledge, existing data from Reserve studies, and empirical evidence was synthesized to propose a naming convention, methods of identification and a description of the characteristics of lateral zonation patterns in riparian vegetation communities.
An audit of the riparian vegetation of the Koornlands River was undertaken to prepare an exotic plant clearing plan and indigenous riparian vegetation restoration strategy.
The impact of a proposed upgrade of the Charlesford weir and increased abstraction from the Knysna River on the Knysna River and estuary were assessed.
Appointed to do Ecological Flow determinations using DRIFT for two sites on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia, however, the ESIA was cancelled after the Client decided not to pursue the Mandaya Dam. Project Cancelled after Millennium Dam announced by Ethiopian Government.
Development of Decision Support System (DSS) software to automate the process for Environmental Flow Assessments. The software is different from current DSSs in the field in that it fully incorporates the ecological, social and socio-economic aspects of management options to the same level of detail and sensitivity as the economic and engineering aspects. The DSS is based on advances made in the DRIFT methodology through its application in Southern and East Africa.
Assessment of the possible impacts on the lower Zambezi River, and in particular the Zambezi Delta as a result of proposed dredging operation. This work included modelling the impact of four different scenarios of operation (timing and design of waterways) on the ecosystem functioning of the Zambezi River and floodplains/delta from Tete to the sea.
EFlows determinations using DRIFT for three sites on the Cunene River in northern Namibia. The original EFs formed an integral part of the ESIA for the proposed hydropower stations at Baynes Gorge. This project is to update those, and to firm up sediment predictions. The DSS will then be used to assess the influence on the Cunene River ecosystem, and linked livelihoods, of scenarios encompassing development options (new HPP/no new HPP), upstream water abstraction and climate change.
Ecological Flow determinations using DRIFT for three sites on the Nile River in central Sudan. The EFs form an integral part of the ESIA for the proposed hydropower stations at Sabaloka, Dagash and Mograt.
The objectives of the Okavango Technical Diagnostic Analysis/EF component are to collate biophysical and social information for the basin into a integrated flow assessment tool, which will allow for the generation of future scenarios of water use and the implications for the rivers, delta and local people for use in water-related decision-making
Provision of environmental flow information to pre-feasibility and feasibility studies of surface water developments to augment the supply of water to Cape Town. Joint Venture with Ninham Shand and Kwezi V3.
Environmental Water Requirement determinations for a suite of coastal rivers (Moordkuils, Groot Brak, Maalgate, Gwaing, Kaaimans, Goukamma and Noetsie) two estuaries and groundwater in the Outeniqua region of SA, with a strong capacity-building component. The project has been extended to include design of integration methods for river, estuary, wetlands and groundwater reserve assessments, information provision for the Classification Process and guidelines for implementation.
River Health and Environmental Flow data provision and advice related to the proposed Polihali Dam on the Senqu River. Co-ordination of all downstream ecological activities, input to decision-making procedures, dam design adjustments and operating rules for the proposed dam.
The objectives of the Pangani Basin Baseline Flow Assessment (FA) Study were to generate baseline data of the condition of the Pangani River system against which the impact of water-related decision-making can be monitored in future; enhance the understanding of the relationship between flow, the river and people among PBWO and MWLD staff; create an awareness of the links between flow and the trade-offs that need to be made in water allocation; develop simple tools to help guide flow management and water allocations in the Pangani Basin; build capacity that will enable PWBO to act as a nucleus of expertise for FA-related work in other areas; support the National Water Policy (NAWAPO_2002) and the National Environmental Management Act (2004). The project included the design and operation of the Pangani Flows DSS, which was used to assess various (at this stage 18) scenarios related to water resource development and provide information on hydrological, sector allocations, impacts on rivers, wetlands, lakes and the estuary, social impacts related to those impacts and various economic (direct) indicators, specifically those related to HEP, agriculture and ecosystem services
Multi-authored book on the history of the management of Cape Town’s rivers, including options of future planning and management.
A Feasibility Study and Pilot Project into the viability of the TMG Aquifer for bulk water supply to Cape Town, more particularly the deep confined portions of the Peninsula Formation. Duties included evaluation of proposed well-field sites, design of a monitoring programme to assess future possible impacts of abstraction from the TMG aquifer on rivers and wetlands in the area and review of the subsequent monitoring activities, which have been outsourced.
Knowledge management, including: Information and data management and process design for the Environmental Flow Assessments. Including database design, population and presentation of results for Phases 2 and 3 of the MRC’s IBFM Programme. Also a review of Decision Support Systems/Models (DSS) designed to show the social, environmental and economic costs and benefits of various kinds of basin development.
Environmental flow specialist: A multidisciplinary team tasked with designing and implementing the operation rules for the Berg River Dam in Franschhoek. The Berg River Dam is the first dam in South Africa where provision for the Ecological Reserve was included in feasibility, design and operations
Research Project aimed at the development of predictive tools and indices to assess the impact (or risk of impact) of groundwater abstraction on the environment; improved understanding of groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs) in the Table Mountain Group (TMG), development of innovative techniques to determine the impacts of groundwater abstraction on the environment; development of indicators to monitor the effect of abstraction; and improved understanding of the impact of changing low flows on freshwater ecology and the relationship between surface flow, event discharge from high-lying TMG unconfined aquifers and deep confined-aquifers in maintaining wetlands or seeps.
The WRCS, which is required by the SA National Water Act (No. 36 of 1998), is a set of guidelines and procedures for determining the desired characteristics of a water resource, and is represented by a Management Class (MC). The MC outlines those attributes that the custodian (DWAF) and society require of different water resources. The WRCS is to be used in a consultative process to classify water resources to help facilitate a balance between protection and use of the nation’s water resources. The economic, social and ecological implications of choosing a MC will need to be established and communicated to all Interested and Affected Parties during the Classification Process. The outcome of a Classification Process using the WRCS is a target Health class for every significant water resource in a basin, plus a monitoring programme for evaluating future management of the basin. The WRCS is currently undergoing the Gazetting Process for incorporation into South Africa’s water law.
The objectives of Contract LHDA 1237 were to ensure that LHDA’s biophysical monitoring programme was running smoothly, in that LHDA possessed the in-house capacity (i.e., in terms of data collection and analysis) to carry out all the tasks associated with IFR monitoring; data collection and analytical tasks were meeting the goals and objectives set out in the IFR Policy and Procedures and were providing information to: determine if the desired river conditions set out in the IFR Policy were being achieved; and if not; to provide information enable decisions to be made on appropriate action to be taken.
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