Overview:

Currently, the Orange–Senqu River System hosts some 300 built structures, among them 30 large dams and several large inter- and intra-basin transfers. It is regarded as the most developed river system in southern Africa. Whilst these structures have played an important role in development of the area, extensive water abstraction for urban, industrial and agricultural purposes has significantly altered the natural flow of the river system. The frequency, size and duration of floods are also affected. These changes in flow adversely affect the health of the river, the resources and the ecosystems it supports and the services they provide. It is essential that the river system is managed effectively, efficiently and sustainably to maintain these important ecological functions and secure its
resources in the long term. Such an integrated management approach is promoted by the Orange–Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM).

The Orange–Senqu River Basin Infrastructure Catalogue, produced through UNDP–GEF’s Orange–Senqu Strategic Action Programme in support of ORASECOM, provides facts and figures about the structures built in the river system.

The entire Infrastructure Catalogue can be downloaded here (20MB)

The Schematic Water Supply Network of the Orange-Senqu River Basin is provided below:

Integrated Orange-Senqu Network Schematic

More detailed schematics of the Water Supply Network for the sub-areas are provided below:

• Lower Orange (Namibia) Schematic
• Lower Orange (South Africa) Schematic
• Lower Vaal Schematic
• Middle Vaal Schematic
• Molopo-Nossob Schematic
• Senqu Schematic
• Upper Orange Schematic
• Upper Vaal Schematic

The following datasets are summarised from the Catalogue:

• Reservoirs
• Purification Works
• Transfers
• Wastewater works
• Flow gauges

Source:

The Orange–Senqu River Basin Infrastructure Catalogue, ORASECOM Report 001/2013

Compiler: 

Allan Bailey of Royal Haskoning DHV (allan.bailey@rhdhv.com)

Funding Agency:

Global Environment Facility (GEF) through United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)