17.

CATCHMENT AND RIVER MANAGEMENT

A. KEY CONCEPTS AND NOTES

Concepts Definition
River Management is defined as the management of water resources
River management of a basin in relation to their socio-economic setting.

The area from which rainfall flows into a river,

Catchment area lake, or reservoir.

Overgrazing Excessive grazing which causes damage to vegetation.

Afforestation Planting more trees to reduce stream discharge and surface runoff

Deforestation, clearing or thinning of forests by humans to make

Deforestation the land available for other uses

Environmental It is the poor treatment/use of the natural

injustice resources/environment by humans

B. CAUSES, IMPORTANCE AND IMPACT OF RIVER MANAGEMENT

CAUSES OF POOR RIVER MANAGEMENT

• Inadequate sewage collection and treatment are sources of water pollution.
• Cutting down trees and concreting over large areas generates an acceleration of flows which
does not give enough time for water to infiltrate and be purified by the ground.
• Agriculture has an impact on water pollution due to the use of chemicals such as fertilizers,
pesticides or insecticides running off in the water, as well as livestock excrement, manure and
methane (greenhouse effect).
• Industries produce a lot of waste containing toxic chemicals and pollutants. A huge
• amount of the industrial waste is drained in the fresh water which then flows into canals, rivers
and eventually in the sea.
• Garbage such as plastic, paper, aluminum, food, glass, or rubber are deposited into the sea.

IMPORTANCE OF MANAGING DRAINAGE BASINS

• Store water and protecting for future use.
• Reduce discharge and recycle harmful agricultural run-off.
• Agricultural purposes e.g., crop farming
• Industrial purposes e.g., to cool the machines in factories and is also a vital part of
production.
• Control the flow of water to reduce the chances of flooding.
• Domestic purposes
• Recreation e.g., water sports
• Generation of Hydroelectricity
• Preserve natural vegetation.
• Preserve biodiversity.

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 River Pollution
- Industrial waste
- Sewage and waste water
- Marine dumping
- Accidental oil leakage
- Burning of fossil fuels
Causing acid rain
- Chemical fertilizers and
Industrial Waste pesticides Untreated Sewage
- Untreated wastewater - Leakage from sewer lines - If untreated sewage gets
pollute ground- and surface into rivers, microorganisms
water decompose it.
- Drinking water sources and - They use oxygen from
irrigation water may be
negatively affected the water
- Aquatic biodiversity and - There is less oxygen in
habitats may be destroyed water
- Dumped chemicals - Aquatic organisms such as
increases eutrophication fish is unable to survive.

IMPACT OF PEOPLE
ON DRAINAGE
BASINS
Deforestation
Human Settlements Increases run-off causing
- Increases waste dumping in silting in the rivers
the river Impact of silting
- Water quality decreases - Hydroelectric projects
and leads to increased affected
waterborne diseases
- Irrigation infrastructure lose
- Marine ecosystems and productivity
biodiversity destroyed
- Riverbed are raised
- Eutrophication destroys
water habitats Overgrazing increasing flood risk
- Biodiversity is disturbed
- Overgrazing
increases soil erosion
- This increases run-off
that causes silting of
the river
- Salinity increases and
nutrients are loss

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 Vegetation
must be
maintained in
areas close to
Legislation to
rivers.
control the Deforestation
pollution of must be
underground controlled.
water.

Avoid
Legislation to
construction
control what is and
discharged in
settlements on
rivers.
the floodplains.

ACTIONS TO ENSURE
SUSTAINABLE USE OF
DRAINAGE BASINS Greater care
Research must be taken
before new when altering
dams is built river channels.

Educate
farmers on
Wetlands must sustainable
be conserved.
farming
methods.

International
cooperation to Educate public
manage rivers
on water
that flow in conservation.
more than one
country.

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 C. CATCHMENT AND RIVER MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
17.1 The FUGURE below show catchment and river management.

17.1.1 What is the main source of wastewater? (1 x 1) (1)

17.1.2 Discuss how the removal of the natural vegetation for human activities
increased the eroded soil and sediments in the river. (1 x 2) (2)

17.1.3 Explain how run-off from both settlements and cultivated land decreases
the quality of water of a river. (2 x 2) (4)

17.1.4 In a paragraph of approximately EIGHT lines, discuss why sustainable

river management is important for all sectors of the economy. (4 x 2) (8)

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17.2 Refer to FIGURE 17.2 showing catchment and river management.

17.2.1 What is river management? (1 x 2) (2)

17.2.2 Name ONE way in which the factory pollutes the river. (1 x 2) (2)

17.2.3 Explain the importance of the wastewater treatment plant in river

management. (2 x 2) (4)

17.2.4 State TWO ways in which fertilizers from the crop land can impact on
the ecology of the river. (2 x 2) (4)

17.2.5 Outline the negative impact of water pollution on the economy of a

country. (2 x 2) (4)

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MAP IMPLICATIONS

17.3 2930CA MERRIVALE / 2930CA 5 MERRIVALE

17.3.1 Name features 1 and 2 on the orthophoto map. (2 x 1) (2)

17.3.2 Identify the slope represented by line 3-2. (1 x 1) (1)

17.3.3 Draw a rough cross profile from 3 to 2 to support your answer to

QUESTION 13.3.2. (3 x 1) (3)

17.3.4 Discuss how human activities, evident on the topographic map,

might influence the quality of water of the Midmar Dam. (2 x 2) (4)

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