A regularidade do relevo da bacia hidrográfica do rio Paracatu, inserida no Escudo Atlântico, preserva uma coluna estratigráfica em suas condições originais de deposição e com registros de movimentos crustais de pequena dimensão. Por isso, bucou-se associar a evolução da geomorfologia da bacia do rio Paracatu aos materiais e estrutura, na busca da compreensão da evolução do relevo da área; para tanto, foram consideradas as sucessões sedimentares, discordâncias e patamares erosivos, condição necessária para identificar e descrever padrões geomórficos regulares na paisagem. Revisão da bibliografia geológica e geomorfológica, manipulação da cartografia geológica e topográfica e sua integração e tratamento em SIG, a construção de perfis topográficos a partir de um modelo digital de terreno e campanhas de reconhecimento de campo nortearam os trabalhos, levando à identificação e descrição de quatro superfícies erosivas que registram as marcas da evolução geomorfológica regional: Superfície de Planaltos Tabulares, Superfície de Planaltos Tabulares com Vales Encaixados, Superfície de Planaltos Baixos com Pedimentos Ravinados e Vales Encaixados e Superfície da Depressão da Planície Fluvial do Rio Paracatu, ponto de convergência da reconstituição da história geomorfológica da área de estudo, resultando na composição de um mapa de superfícies de erosão. / The regularity of the relief of Paracatu Catchment inserted into Atlantic Shield, is preserved in weathering and erosion resistant rocky layers. It is organized in a stratigraphic column wich keeps its original conditions of deposition with recordings of small dimension crustal movements, allowing the ideal theoretical conditions for the study of erosion surfaces. To associate the evolution of geomorphology of Paracatu River Catchment to material and structure, looking for explanations to the preservation of erosion surfaces in the arrangement of sedimentary successions, unconformities and erosive plateaus were the conditions to identify and describe four surfaces wich record the regional morphological evolution: Tabular Plateau Surface, Tabular Plateau Surface with Dissected Valleys, Low Tableland with Ravined Pedments and Dissected Valleys Surface, and Paracatu River Fluvial Plain Depression Surface. A broad fieldwork through a general and regional approach, followed by an intense bibliographic review and manipulation of topographic and geologic maps and its manipulation in GIS, through a development of a Digital Terrain Model and many topographic profiles, allowed to describe the relief in suggesting the reconstitution of the geomorphological history of the study area, resulting in an erosion surfaces map. The origin of this erosion surfaces can be correlated to four tectonic cycles, that elevated the Brazilian Platform since the Cretaceous until Pleistocene, with drainage incision and dissection of the landscape.

It is generally assumed that increased map precision (ie map unit homogeneity) and map purity (map unit accuracy) should result from increasing the scale of mapping of the soil resource, since it should enable a more intricate breakdown of the landscape into landform facet based units. This study compared the predictive success of a 1:10K scale soil association map with the 1:25K and 1:lOOK scale soil landscape maps within the Birrigai area of the Paddy's river catchment, south west of Canberra, A.C.T. The 1:25K and the 1:lOOK scale soil landscape maps were also evaluated in a second larger evaluation area in the Paddy's river catchment which allowed more of the larger soil landscape map units to be evaluated. The 1:25K scale soil map was produced by another author for the A.C.T Government, and was surveyed at a substantially lower survey intensity than that for the 1:lOOK and 1:10K scale soil maps (ie only 0.05 observation sites / cm2 of published map). These maps were evaluated using a set of randomly located independent evaluation sites in each evaluation area, and from these calculating and comparing standard Marsman & de Gruijter(1986) measures of Map Purity. The strength of soil-landscape relationships within this catchment were determined from a Fixed One Way Analysis of Variance, and from more simplistic graphical comparisons of the means and standard deviations of the discrete soil data within these landform based map units. Soil-landscape relationships for the Nominal scale soil data (ie class type data) were evaluated by comparing the Marsman & de Gruijter(1986) Homogeneity index ratings among the soil map units. Intensive survey traverses were also carried out in selected soil landscapes to further evaluate the strength of soil landscapes present. The results revealed obvious improvements in map quality associated with increasing map scale from 1:100,000 to 1:10,000, and these included increases in the predictive success (Map Purity), reductions in the extent of map unit impurities, and planning advantages associated with having individual land facets delineated on the 1:10,000 scale map. The respectable purity ratings achieved by the 1:100,000 scale soil landscape map (ie average purity rating of 63%) was largely attributed to the flexibility of the "soil material" approach to soil landscape mapping. The relatively poor performance of the 1:25K consultancy soil landscape map demonstrated the fact that; any benefit gained from the improved intricacy in the representation of map unit delineation's with increased mapping scale, will be drastically reduced if it is not matched by an associated increase in the intensity of field investigations. Evaluations of the soil-landscape relationships found that the land facets of the Paddy's river catchment generally failed to delineate areas that were both uniform and unique in respect of their soil properties. Soil-landscape relationships were instead found to be quite complex, applying to only certain land facets, and in regards to only certain soil properties. Soil maps with units based on landsurface features were recommended on the basis of the importance of other landscape factors other than soils to land capability ratings, as well as on the useability of such maps. This study recommended the adoption of a" >2 detailed soil profile observations / land facet in each map unit" mapping standard to ensure a reasonable estimate of the variability and modal soil conditions present, as well as a reliable confirmation of the perceived soil-landscape relationships. The error usually associated with small scale mapping was effectively reduced by rapid ground truthing, involving driving along the major roads dissecting the map area and making brief observations of soil exposures on road batters, despite the bias of the road network making such mapping improvements uneven across the map. The major point to come from this study was the re-emphasising of the point that soil spatial variability has to be accepted as a "real landscape attribute" which needs to be accurately described and communicated to land users, and must not be considered as some sort of soil mapping failure. The fact that individual facets of the landscape rarely coincide with unique pockets of uniform and unique soils and soil properties must be considered simply an on the ground reality of nature, and not some mapping failure. It was thought that since other landscape factors (eg hillslope gradient) most often dominate the determination of land use suitability and capability, it is better to effectively describe the range and modal state of the soil conditions within such facets, then to attempt to extrapolate possible soil boundaries using geostatistical techniques which cut across such land facets, and mayor may not correlate with real groupings of soil properties, depending on the spatial resolution of the soil variability distribution in the landscape. Even so the results of this investigation do put the validity of the physiographic terrain class mapping model as a predictor of soil traits under question, at least for the more complex landscape settings.

Riverine landscapes are complex. More than just a single channel, they comprise a shifting mosaic of hydrogeomorphic patches with varying physical and biological characteristics. These patches are connected by water during flows of varying magnitude and frequency, at a range of spatial and temporal scales. Combined, landscape complexity and hydrological connectivity create biological diversity that in turn maintains the productivity, ecological function, and resilience of these systems. This thesis investigates the ecological importance of spatial heterogeneity and temporal hydrological connectivity in a dryland floodplain river landscape. It focuses on anabranch channels, and uses major carbon sources in these and adjacent landscape patches as indicators of ecological pattern and process. A conceptual model was proposed, describing the potential effects upon the distribution and availability of major carbon sources of: a) a spatial mosaic of hydrogeomorphic patches in the landscape (e.g. anabranches, river channel, and wider floodplain); and b) four primary temporal phases of hydrological connection during flow pulses (disconnection, partial connection, complete connection, and draining). This was then tested by data collected over a three year period from a 16 km reach of the lower Macintyre River (NSW/QLD Australia). Results were examined at multiple spatial scales (patch scale � river channel vs. anabranches vs. floodplain; between individual anabranches; and within anabranches � entry, middle and exit sites). The data indicate that spatial heterogeneity in the lower Macintyre River landscape significantly influences ecological pattern. Carbon quantity was greater in anabranch channels compared to adjacent river channel patches, but not compared to the floodplain; while carbon quality was greater in anabranch channels compared to both adjacent river channel and floodplain patches. Stable isotope analysis indicated that carbon sources that were predominantly found in anabranch channels supported both anabranch and river organisms during a winter disconnection phase. Other carbon sources found in the main river channel and the wider floodplain appeared to play a comparatively minimal role in the food web. Different phases of hydrological connection between anabranch channels and the main river channel were associated with differences in the availability of carbon sources. In the river channel, draining of water from anabranches (the draining phase) was associated with relatively high concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and low concentrations of phytoplankton. Conversely, the disconnection phase was associated with relatively low concentrations of DOC and high concentrations of phytoplankton in the river channel. In anabranch channels and their waterbodies, the disconnection and draining phases were associated with high concentrations of both DOC and phytoplankton. Concentrations of these carbon sources were lowest in anabranches during the partial and complete connection phases. Different hydrological connection phases were also associated with changes in trophic status in the aquatic components of the landscape. On the riverbanks, relatively low rates of benthic production and respiration during the complete connection phase were associated with heterotrophy. The remaining phases appeared to be autotrophic. Benthic production on riverbanks was greatest during the disconnection phase, and respiration was greatest during the partial connection phase. In the anabranch channels, rates of production and respiration were similar during the disconnection phase, and were associated with heterotrophy in the anabranch waterbodies. The remaining phases appeared to be autotrophic. Respiration was greatest in anabranches during the disconnection phase, and production was greatest during the draining phase. Both production and respiration were lowest during complete connection. These differences and changes varied according to the landscape patch examined. At a landscape scale, anabranch channels act as both sinks and suppliers of carbon. High rates of sediment deposition facilitate their role as sinks for sediment-associated carbon and other particulate, refractory carbon sources. Simultaneously, anabranch channels supply aquatic carbon sources from their waterbodies, as well as via processes such as inundation-stimulated release of DOC from surface sediments. Modelled data indicated that water resource development reduces the frequency and duration of connection between anabranch channels and the main river channel. This loss of landscape complexity via loss of connectivity with anabranches has the potential to reduce the total availability of carbon sources to the ecosystem, as demonstrated by a modelled 13% reduction in potential dissolved organic carbon release from anabranch sediments. This thesis has demonstrated the importance of spatial heterogeneity in riverine landscapes, by documenting its association with variability in the distribution and quality of primary energy sources for the ecosystem. It has shown that this variability is augmented by different phases of hydrological connectivity over time. Spatial heterogeneity and hydrological connectivity interact to increase the diversity and availability of ecological energy sources across the riverine landscape, at multiple spatial and temporal scales. This has positive implications for the resilience and sustainability of the system. Anabranch channels are particularly important facilitators of these effects in this dryland floodplain river system. Anabranch channels are �intermediate� in terms of spatial placement, temporal hydrological connection, and availability of carbon sources; of high value in terms of high-quality carbon sources; and relatively easy to target for management because of their defined commence-to-flow levels. Further research should be directed toward evaluating other ecological roles of anabranch channels in dryland rivers, thereby providing a more complete understanding of the importance of connectivity between these features and other patches. This knowledge would assist management of floodplain river landscapes at larger regional scales, including amelioration of the effects of water resource development.

In many of the rural areas of South Africa local communities rely on wetland resources for daily living. For a symbiotic relationship to exist between these communities and the wetlands, the wetlands must be utilised in a manner sustainable to both parties. To prevent exploitation thereof, a comprehensive understanding of the processes and functions of wetlands, of the values and needs of rural community members, and of the interactions between these entities is essential. This study focuses on research at three scales; the plot scale (10m\ the microcatchment scale (lkm2 ), represented by the Craigiebum wetland and microcatchment, and the catchment area upstream of the gauging weir X3H008, all of which exist in the Sand River catchment in the Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces of South Africa. Relationships between the geomorphological properties of the Craigiebum microcatchment, the wetland management practices of the local communities, and the hydrological properties of the microcatchment have been investigated. Various hydrological models, but in the main the ACRU model, have been adopted as tools to facilitate this research. Possible scenarios of changes in land use, rainfall and soil texture were performed at the plot scale and at the scale of the microcatchment, and changes in wetland extent were simulated and analysed at the scale of the catchment. Results of the modelling exercises simulating the effects of differences in soil texture higWight the positive effects of retention of fine particles within a wetland in a sandy environment. These results also depict greater rates of hydraulic conductivity, erosion and desiccation within coarse-textured soils than fmer textured soils. Low levels of fertility can also be attributed to the lack of fine particles present in the soils of the Craigiebum microcatchment wetland. Results of the modelling exercises that investigate the likely hydrological effects of a variety of land uses within the Craigiebum microcatchment verify accepted hydrological theory, as they highlight that more impervious areas produce more stormflow and lose more water to evaporation, and that the natural vegetation of the area contributes to streamflow regulation more than other land uses do. The exercises performed at the scale of the Sand River catchment do not provide conclusive evidence of the effects of changes in wetland extent, as the hydrological effects that other land uses in the area have appear to override the effects of the simulated wetland areas. Analysis of the sociological data captured highlights the great extent to which the local community depends on the Craigieburn wetland resources for a variety of livelihood strategies. Furthermore it illustrates the degree to which a reduction in wetland health negatively impacts upon the community. Viewed in conjunction, the hydrological, biophysical and sociological results highlight the degree to which changes in one aspect of the environment affect other aspects thereof, thereby highlighting the degree to which these aspects of the Craigieburn microcatchment are inextricably linked. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.

Wetlands are now recognized as being an integral component of the physical landscape. Geomorphology has recently been recognised by wetland scientists as being of fundamental importance in wetland genesis, maintenance and evolution, thereby providing the context for informed, effective wetland management and conservation. At present there exists a paucity of geomorphological wetland research in South Africa. A hydro-geomorphic approach was adopted to attain an understanding of wetland genesis, distribution and functioning of a range of different palustrine wetland systems in the upper Mooi-River Catchment of KwaZulu-Natal. The physical, chemical and landscape-morphological characteristics of wetland soils were investigated to interpret the processes operating within those wetland systems. Both field and laboratory work suggest that wetland creation and maintenance in the upper Mooi River catchment may be attributed primarily to climatic factors, landscape position, landform and geological characteristics. These factors were found to cumulatively control the hydrological characteristics of wetlands, which impart an important influence on internal wetland conditions. While soil properties do not appear to be a primary factor in the establishment of these wetlands, they are nevertheless found to be important in the regulation of the hydrological dynamics of wetland systems. The close interdependence between wetlands and the surrounding landscape and the hydrological cycle is evident in the wetland systems investigated. Geomorphic processes within wetlands such as overbank flooding, overland flow, sedimentation, piping, leaching, soil swelling, shrinkage and cracking and channel incision and dynamics were found to be important variables in determining the nature and internal characteristics of wetland systems. In several of the systems investigated, all of the above mentioned processes were operative, while in other systems, a number of these processes were either insignificant or absent. Canonical Variate Analysis indicated that while commonalities exist between the palustrine wetland systems investigated in this study, significant differences were found between different groups. This supports the argument that a subclassification of the palustrine system into five different palustrine wetland types is warranted. While the scope of the present research did not allow for an extensive investigation of suitable methods of rehabilitation, the study suggests that an understanding of geomorphic process and wetland dynamics will be beneficial to wetland management and conservation as a whole. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

A regularidade do relevo da bacia hidrográfica do rio Paracatu, inserida no Escudo Atlântico, preserva uma coluna estratigráfica em suas condições originais de deposição e com registros de movimentos crustais de pequena dimensão. Por isso, bucou-se associar a evolução da geomorfologia da bacia do rio Paracatu aos materiais e estrutura, na busca da compreensão da evolução do relevo da área; para tanto, foram consideradas as sucessões sedimentares, discordâncias e patamares erosivos, condição necessária para identificar e descrever padrões geomórficos regulares na paisagem. Revisão da bibliografia geológica e geomorfológica, manipulação da cartografia geológica e topográfica e sua integração e tratamento em SIG, a construção de perfis topográficos a partir de um modelo digital de terreno e campanhas de reconhecimento de campo nortearam os trabalhos, levando à identificação e descrição de quatro superfícies erosivas que registram as marcas da evolução geomorfológica regional: Superfície de Planaltos Tabulares, Superfície de Planaltos Tabulares com Vales Encaixados, Superfície de Planaltos Baixos com Pedimentos Ravinados e Vales Encaixados e Superfície da Depressão da Planície Fluvial do Rio Paracatu, ponto de convergência da reconstituição da história geomorfológica da área de estudo, resultando na composição de um mapa de superfícies de erosão. / The regularity of the relief of Paracatu Catchment inserted into Atlantic Shield, is preserved in weathering and erosion resistant rocky layers. It is organized in a stratigraphic column wich keeps its original conditions of deposition with recordings of small dimension crustal movements, allowing the ideal theoretical conditions for the study of erosion surfaces. To associate the evolution of geomorphology of Paracatu River Catchment to material and structure, looking for explanations to the preservation of erosion surfaces in the arrangement of sedimentary successions, unconformities and erosive plateaus were the conditions to identify and describe four surfaces wich record the regional morphological evolution: Tabular Plateau Surface, Tabular Plateau Surface with Dissected Valleys, Low Tableland with Ravined Pedments and Dissected Valleys Surface, and Paracatu River Fluvial Plain Depression Surface. A broad fieldwork through a general and regional approach, followed by an intense bibliographic review and manipulation of topographic and geologic maps and its manipulation in GIS, through a development of a Digital Terrain Model and many topographic profiles, allowed to describe the relief in suggesting the reconstitution of the geomorphological history of the study area, resulting in an erosion surfaces map. The origin of this erosion surfaces can be correlated to four tectonic cycles, that elevated the Brazilian Platform since the Cretaceous until Pleistocene, with drainage incision and dissection of the landscape.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The river catchment Vacacaí Mirim is located where the water reservoir that supplies part of the water needs of the city of Santa Maria is located in a hillslope area of plateau border Southern Rio Grande. In these hillslope areas, due to the combination of strong relief is rolling to hilly common occurrence of soils with variable depth, with the predominance of shallow soils. The objectives were to conduct a study of current use and the evolution of land use and demarcation of areas of risk or potentially susceptible to loss of soil from the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). The soil survey of semi-detailed, characterize the different soil classes occurring in the region. Through techniques of GIS maps were generated from soil, slope, Permanent Preservation Areas (PPAs), land suitability and land use evolution from 1987 to 2009. Map was made usability and identified areas of land use conflicts. According to the soil survey over 50% of the area consists of Entisols and over 50% of the area has less ability, being only suitable for the protection of fauna and flora. For the second study, the topographic factor (LS) was generated from the digital elevation model (DEM), the rainfall-runoff erosivity factor (R) data through normal rainfall, erodibility factor (K) the composition particle size of each class of soil, and cover-management and support practice factor (CP) through field observations and tabulated values. About 74% of the area has soil losses ranging 1 to 2 t ha-1.yr-1. Only 3% of the area has a soil loss of more than 20 t ha-1.yr-1, and of these 3%, 1% shows soil loss exceeding 50 t ha-1.yr-1. For assessing the potential loss of soil, the topographic factor (LS) was the most strongly determined the pace of erosion followed by the factor use and cover-management and support practice factor (CP) and soil erodibility factor (K). The aid of the image of computer application Google Earth is a very important tool in the evaluation of occupation and land use in the study area. The data gathered through this methodology for the estimation of factor use and cover-management and support practice factor (CP) are reliable and the researcher can make a conference field for a possible better definition of the classes of land use. / A bacia hidrográfica do rio Vacacaí Mirim onde está situado o reservatório de água que abastece parte da necessidade de água da cidade de Santa Maria encontra-se em uma área de encosta do Rebordo do Planalto Sul-Riograndense. Nessas áreas de encosta, devido à combinação de relevo forte ondulado a montanhoso é comum a ocorrência de solos com profundidade variável, havendo o predomínio de solos rasos. Os objetivos do trabalho foram a realização de um estudo do uso atual e da evolução do uso das terras e a delimitação de áreas de risco ou potencialmente susceptíveis a perdas de solo, através da Equação Universal de Perda de Solo (EUPS). O levantamento de solos do tipo semi-detalhado, caracterizou as diferentes classes de solos que ocorrem na região. Através de técnicas de geoprocessamento foram gerados mapas de solos, declividade, Áreas de Preservação Permanente (APPs), aptidão agrícola e evolução de uso das terras de 1987 a 2009. Foi elaborado o mapa de adequação de uso e identificadas áreas com conflitos de uso. Segundo o levantamento de solo mais de 50% da área é formada por Neossolos Litólicos e mais de 50% da área apresenta aptidão inferior, sendo somente indicada para a preservação da fauna e da flora. Para o segundo estudo, o fator topográfico (LS) foi gerado a partir do Modelo Digital de Elevação (MDE), o fator erosividade da chuva (R) através de dados normais de precipitação, o fator erodibilidade do solo (K) através da composição granulométrica de cada classe de solo, e o fator uso e manejo e práticas conservacionistas (CP) por meio de observações no campo e valores tabelados. Cerca de 74% da área possui perdas de solos que variam de 1 a 2 t.ha-1.ano-1. Somente 3% da área apresenta uma perda de solo de mais de 20 t.ha- 1.ano-1 , sendo que desses 3%, 1% apresenta perda de solo superior a 50 t.ha-1.ano-1. Para a avaliação do Potencial de Perdas de solo, o fator topográfico (LS) foi o que mais fortemente determinou o ritmo dos processos erosivos seguido do fator uso e manejo e práticas conservacionistas (CP) e fator erodibilidade do solo (K). O auxílio da imagem do aplicativo computacional Google Earth foi uma ferramenta de extrema importância na avaliação da ocupação e uso das terras na área de estudo. Os dados levantados através dessa metodologia para a estimativa do fator uso e manejo e práticas conservacionistas (CP) são confiáveis e o pesquisador pode fazer uma conferência de campo para uma possível melhoria da definição das classes de uso da terra.

Magister Philosophiae (Integrated Water Resource Management) / In this minithesis I have investigated overlapping mandates as a source of management failure in water management in South Africa in general and Eerste River Catchment in particular. I analysed major legislation which deals with water management to find out how duties and responsibilities are apportioned in the various pieces of legislation. I also undertook an exercise of evaluating roles and responsibilities played by various organs of state in water management from national government, Provincial Government of the Western Cape through to local government, in this case the Municipality of Stellenbosch and the City of Cape Town. It emerged that there were a number of areas of overlap, ambiguously defined mandates, conflict and that these were impeding on decision making in water management. In order to test the framework built above, I then applied it in the Plankenbrug River, a tributary of the Eerste River. Through analysis of newspaper clippings over a period of 4 years I was able to reconstruct conflict over ill-defined mandates in the various aspects of the management of the catchment which showed that there were differences in roles of the different state organs operating in the catchment. Water management conflict emanated from lack of congruence in the various legislation and differences in the interpretation of legislation. The various state organs seem to be aware of the constitutional duty of cooperative government that engenders state organs to work co-operatively in order to meet their developmental mandates. It seems however that the state organs were merely interested to be seen to be in conformity with this duty more than actually solving the issue as this was seen as something to be tackled at a higher level. / South Africa

Water is an essential element for life and crucial to survival. South Africa is a semi-arid country and therefore water should be protected and managed effectively by all residents of the country. In the 1830s the Mooi River was the key reason for the Voortrekkers to establish Potchefstroom at a locality adjacent to this river. The Voortrekkers noticed the dolomitic outcroppings in the vicinity, but still opted to reside next to the river for it provided easily accessible water and fertile soil. Since the 1830s water legislation regulating the management and use of the water in the Mooi River has been amended innumerable times to bring us to the current situation of Potchefstroom’s water (mis)management by the role-players and stakeholders of the water source. As a resident of Potchefstroom, the researcher has a keen interest in the origin of the city’s water sources, the re-routing of the water from the origin to the water purification unit via the open-on-top cement canal system, and the overall management of these canals and their servitudes. In order to conduct a research study on the Mooi River’s water re-routing canals and servitudes, the following research methods were applied: The researcher performed a comprehensive literature review, conducted fieldwork, held interviews with landowners and experts in the geographical area of the Mooi River Valley, and performed statistical analyses as well as content analyses of the findings. Some of the most alarming findings include the lack of co-operative governance between water users and – authorities, and the current public management and disaster risk management challenges in the re-routing of water from Klerkskraal Dam down to the water purification plant of Potchefstroom. It is recommended that the major stakeholders of the Mooi River Valley, e.g. the disaster management centre in Potchefstroom, the Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS) regional offices in Potchefstroom, as well as the Tlokwe Local Municipality need to join forces for a combined effort to accomplish the overarching research objective of achieving improved cooperative municipal governance and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) to eventually ensure the safe and effective re-routing of water from the Klerkskraal Dam to the Potchefstroom water purification plant. Note: Since July 2014 the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) has changed to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). / MA (Public Management and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Water is an essential element for life and crucial to survival. South Africa is a semi-arid country and therefore water should be protected and managed effectively by all residents of the country. In the 1830s the Mooi River was the key reason for the Voortrekkers to establish Potchefstroom at a locality adjacent to this river. The Voortrekkers noticed the dolomitic outcroppings in the vicinity, but still opted to reside next to the river for it provided easily accessible water and fertile soil. Since the 1830s water legislation regulating the management and use of the water in the Mooi River has been amended innumerable times to bring us to the current situation of Potchefstroom’s water (mis)management by the role-players and stakeholders of the water source. As a resident of Potchefstroom, the researcher has a keen interest in the origin of the city’s water sources, the re-routing of the water from the origin to the water purification unit via the open-on-top cement canal system, and the overall management of these canals and their servitudes. In order to conduct a research study on the Mooi River’s water re-routing canals and servitudes, the following research methods were applied: The researcher performed a comprehensive literature review, conducted fieldwork, held interviews with landowners and experts in the geographical area of the Mooi River Valley, and performed statistical analyses as well as content analyses of the findings. Some of the most alarming findings include the lack of co-operative governance between water users and – authorities, and the current public management and disaster risk management challenges in the re-routing of water from Klerkskraal Dam down to the water purification plant of Potchefstroom. It is recommended that the major stakeholders of the Mooi River Valley, e.g. the disaster management centre in Potchefstroom, the Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS) regional offices in Potchefstroom, as well as the Tlokwe Local Municipality need to join forces for a combined effort to accomplish the overarching research objective of achieving improved cooperative municipal governance and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) to eventually ensure the safe and effective re-routing of water from the Klerkskraal Dam to the Potchefstroom water purification plant. Note: Since July 2014 the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) has changed to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). / MA (Public Management and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015