THE UMKHOMAZI RIVER AND ITS VITAL CATCHMENT

The Umkhomazi catchment is a critical strategic water source area in KwaZulu-Natal, supporting 1.5 to 2 million people and high biodiversity. Despite producing 1,078 million m3 of water annually, only 15% is used due to seasonal flow patterns. The area faces threats from invasive alien plants, overgrazing, and abandoned farming. To address these, the Umkhomazi Catchment Working Group (UCWG) coordinates restoration efforts, including invasive species management, erosion control, and regenerative agriculture. Additionally, the Umkhomazi Water Project plans to construct two large dams, including the Smithfield Dam, to enhance water security for Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

• The Umkhomazi catchment is part of the Southern Drakensberg strategic water source area (SWSA) and the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany biodiversity hotspot, supporting an estimated population of 1.5 to 2 million people.
• The catchment produces 1,078 million m3 of water per year, but seasonal flow patterns mean only 15% (159 million m3) of this total is utilized.
• Environmental degradation is driven by invasive alien plants (IAPs) that deplete water, overgrazing that causes soil erosion and sedimentation, and the presence of unmanaged abandoned farming lands.
• The Umkhomazi Catchment Working Group (UCWG), formed in 2021, coordinates several rehabilitation focus areas, including invasive species management (targeting wattle), sustainable grazing, erosion control, and the 'Smart Nappy Project' to reduce pollution.
• The Umkhomazi Water Project involves the construction of two large dams, with Phase 1 focusing on the Smithfield Dam near Impendle and an inter-basin transfer scheme to supply water to Pietermaritzburg and Durban.

APA

Davids, W. (2025). THE UMKHOMAZI RIVER AND ITS VITAL CATCHMENT. WWF South Africa. https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/umkhomazi-wsp-factsheet.pdf

Chicago

Davids, Wanika. THE UMKHOMAZI RIVER AND ITS VITAL CATCHMENT. WWF South Africa, 2025. https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/umkhomazi-wsp-factsheet.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Davids |first1=Wanika |title=THE UMKHOMAZI RIVER AND ITS VITAL CATCHMENT |publisher=WWF South Africa |date=2025 |url=https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/umkhomazi-wsp-factsheet.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{davids2025umkhomazi, author = {Davids, Wanika}, title = {{THE UMKHOMAZI RIVER AND ITS VITAL CATCHMENT}}, institution = {WWF South Africa}, year = {2025}, url = {https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/umkhomazi-wsp-factsheet.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }