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Development, Operation and Maintenance

The following major infrastructure developments are expected in the future within the Limpopo River basin.

Botswana

An additional three larger dams are planned in the near future. Dikgatlhong, Lotsane, and Thune dams will provide a total annual yield of about 70 Mm³ with a total storage capacity of 400 Mm³, predominantly from Dikgatlhong Dam. An additional 20 Mm³/year will be provided by 12 proposed small and medium sized dams (LBPTC 2010).

As noted in Power Generation, within Botswana the Mmamabula proposed 2 500 MW power project will have a significant impact on water resources as it involves the development of coal fields and associated power stations (ADB 2008).

Mozambique

The Mapai Dam is noted as a planned project within the basin in Mozambique (Barros 2009). There are doubts as to the feasibility of the construction as the land set aside is quite flat which could result in large flooded areas and water losses through evaporation.

South Africa

Water requirements in parts of the Limpopo province of South Africa are expected to increase significantly due to the expansion of current activities, as well as new and proposed developments in the region, particularly in the mining sector (DWAF 2005).

As noted in Power Generation, aquatic ecosystems in the Waterberg area of South Africa (within the sub-catchments of Mokolo and Lephalala) may be adversely affected by proposed coal-fired power stations proposed in the area (Shirley 2009).

Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) is currently assessing the feasibility of various water resource development options in the Olifants and Mogalakwena/Sand Catchments of the two provinces.The purpose for the Water Resources Development Project is to provide physical infrastructure (a storage dam and associated bulk distribution system and pump stations) that will allow allocations and the reallocation of water to meet current and future water needs of all sectors within the middle parts of the Olifants catchment, as well as parts of the Mogalakwena/Sand catchments (DWAF 2005).