DRIFT-ARID: Application of a method for environmental water requirements (EWRs) in a non-perennial river (Mokolo River) in South Africa

Authors

  • Maitland Seaman Centre for Environmental Management, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, South Africa
  • Marie Watson Centre for Environmental Management, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, South Africa
  • Marinda Avenant Centre for Environmental Management, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, South Africa
  • Alison Joubert Southern Waters, PO Box 12414, Cape Town, South Africa
  • Jackie King Water Matters, PO Box 209, Constantia, South Africa
  • Charles Barker Geography Department, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, South Africa
  • Surina Esterhuyse Centre for Environmental Management, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, South Africa
  • Douglas Graham DHI, Agern Allé 5, DK-2970 Hørsholm, Denmark
  • Marthie Kemp Centre for Environmental Management, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, South Africa
  • Pieter le Roux Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences Department, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, South Africa
  • Bob Prucha DHI Water & Environment, 141 Union Blvd, Suite 425, Lakewood, USA
  • Nola Redelinghuys Department of Sociology, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, South Africa
  • Linda Rossouw Environmental and Water Quality Consultant, PO Box 16018, Panorama, 7506, South Africa
  • Kate Rowntree Geography Department, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown, South Africa
  • Frank Sokolic Centre for Environmental Management, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, South Africa
  • Leon van Rensburg Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences Department, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, South Africa
  • Bennie van der Waal Geography Department, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown, South Africa
  • Johan van Tol University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice, South Africa
  • Tascha Vos Centre for Environmental Management, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4314/wsa.v42i3.02

Keywords:

DRIFT-ARID, non-perennial, EWR, flow method, Mokolo River

Abstract

Methods developed to determine the amount of water required (EWR) to sustain ecosystem services in non-perennial rivers need a different approach to those used in perennial rivers. Current EWR methods were mostly developed for use in perennial rivers. Non-perennial rivers differ from perennial ones in terms of variability in flow, periods of no-flow and related habitat availability. A DRIFT-ARID method (an adaptation of the Downstream Response to Imposed Flow Transformation (DRIFT) method) was developed, tested and adjusted, using the semi-permanent Mokolo River. Field data from five study sites was collected from April to May 2010 by a multidisciplinary team. The results were used in a DRIFT-ARID Decision Support System (DSS) to determine the impact of five chosen development scenarios in the Mokolo River Catchment. An integrated groundwater–surface water MIKE-SHE hydrological model was used to simulate the hydrology of the chosen scenarios. Specific non-perennial river indicators such as onset of dry phase were identified and included in the DRIFT-ARID DSS. DRIFT-ARID has the potential to be used in non-perennial rivers and, once set up, can provide results for future scenarios. The method now needs to be tested on other non-perennial river types, especially episodic rivers where data are scarce or non-existent.

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Published

2016-07-29

Issue

Vol. 42 No. 3 July (2016): Water SA

Section

Research paper

License

Copyright (c) 2022 Maitland Seaman, Marie Watson, Marinda Avenant, Alison Joubert, Jackie King, Charles Barker, Surina Esterhuyse, Douglas Graham, Marthie Kemp, Pieter le Roux, Bob Prucha, Nola Redelinghuys, Linda Rossouw, Kate Rowntree, Frank Sokolic, Leon van Rensburg, Bennie van der Waal, Johan van Tol, Tascha Vos

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How to Cite

Maitland Seaman (2016) “DRIFT-ARID: Application of a method for environmental water requirements (EWRs) in a non-perennial river (Mokolo River) in South Africa”, Water SA, 42(3 July). doi:10.4314/wsa.v42i3.02.