Low Water Level Concerns "Baseless"
PRETORIA- Water levels along the Crocodile River in Mpumalanga are exceeding expectations because of the recent rainfalls in the province.
"Concerns that have been raised regarding low water flow levels in the Kruger National Park and adjoining areas are baseless," the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) said in a statement on Wednesday.
A two-day inspection at the site by a DWAF team found that the water flow from Kwena Dam right through the Crocodile River, past the Kruger National Park into Mozambique, was exceeding expectations.
The team was made up of the Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement (CME) Unit officials from Head Office in Pretoria and its Mpumalanga office based in Nelspruit.
The inspections were conducted on Tuesday, 24 April 2007 and concluded the next day.
DWAF's Mpumalanga Regional Director for Water Resources, Johan Van As Wegen, who was part of the team, said he was surprised that allegations about low water levels in the area were raised outside a recognised and "agreed upon" chamber, the Crocodile River Water Forum (CRWF).
Mr Van As Wegen described the move as "surprising".
One of the CRWF's tasks is to discuss issues such as the issues raised to warrant necessary investigations regarding the matter.
DWAF's water level monitoring process is up and running and is put into operation everyday to measure water flow levels. Water releases are monitored daily to ensure that there is enough water flows in the river.
The Department is in constant contact with all stakeholders, including members of the CRWF to discuss and find solutions to all matters of concern.
One of the major challenges facing the Department is dealing constantly with people contravening Section 21 of the National Water Act, 1998.
This section deals with people who illegal construct dams, weirs and other structures that impede water flow in the river.
Nigel Adams, head of the CME Unit said three possible unlawful activities were identified and are currently being investigated by the Mpumalanga CME Unit.
"Concerns that have been raised regarding low water flow levels in the Kruger National Park and adjoining areas are baseless," the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) said in a statement on Wednesday.
A two-day inspection at the site by a DWAF team found that the water flow from Kwena Dam right through the Crocodile River, past the Kruger National Park into Mozambique, was exceeding expectations.
The team was made up of the Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement (CME) Unit officials from Head Office in Pretoria and its Mpumalanga office based in Nelspruit.
The inspections were conducted on Tuesday, 24 April 2007 and concluded the next day.
DWAF's Mpumalanga Regional Director for Water Resources, Johan Van As Wegen, who was part of the team, said he was surprised that allegations about low water levels in the area were raised outside a recognised and "agreed upon" chamber, the Crocodile River Water Forum (CRWF).
Mr Van As Wegen described the move as "surprising".
One of the CRWF's tasks is to discuss issues such as the issues raised to warrant necessary investigations regarding the matter.
DWAF's water level monitoring process is up and running and is put into operation everyday to measure water flow levels. Water releases are monitored daily to ensure that there is enough water flows in the river.
The Department is in constant contact with all stakeholders, including members of the CRWF to discuss and find solutions to all matters of concern.
One of the major challenges facing the Department is dealing constantly with people contravening Section 21 of the National Water Act, 1998.
This section deals with people who illegal construct dams, weirs and other structures that impede water flow in the river.
Nigel Adams, head of the CME Unit said three possible unlawful activities were identified and are currently being investigated by the Mpumalanga CME Unit.
Labels: climate, crocodile bridge, hydrology
posted by Kruger2Canyons.com at
Thursday, May 03, 2007
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