Mthatha River

Mthatha River or Umtata River (Xhosa: 'mtathe Bawo) is a river in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. The river flows into the Indian Ocean in an estuary located near Coffee Bay. The Mthatha river flows in a southeastern direction and is approximately 250 km long with a catchment area of 2,600 km2. It is named after Mthatha Town (Umtata).[2][3]

Mthatha River
Umtata River
close to where the Mthatha River meets the Indian Ocean
Location of the Mthatha River mouth
EtymologyReferring in the Xhosa language to the Sneeze-wood trees (Ptaeroxylon obliquum) growing on the banks of the river[1]
Native name'mtathe Bawo
Location
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceEastern Cape Province
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationBaziya Range, Eastern Cape, South Africa
 • elevation1,500 m (4,900 ft)
MouthIndian Ocean
 • location
Coffee Bay, South Africa
 • coordinates
31°56′S 29°11′E
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length250 km (160 mi)
Basin size2,600 km2 (1,000 sq mi)

Its main tributaries are the Ngqungqu River and the Cicira River.[4]

The Mthatha River marks the southern limit of the Pondoland region.[5]

Dams

Presently this river is part of the Mzimvubu to Keiskamma Water Management Area.[6]

See also

References
  1. Dictionary of Southern African Place Names
  2. Mthatha River System - 2008 Archived 2016-04-07 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Niba, AS; Mafereka, SP (2015-04-03). "Benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage composition and distribution pattern in the upper Mthatha River, Eastern Cape, South Africa". African Journal of Aquatic Science. 40 (2): 133–142. doi:10.2989/16085914.2015.1028323. ISSN 1608-5914. S2CID 84022844.
  4. Mzimbuvu to Keiskamma WMA 12
  5. Contributions to the ecology of Maputaland, Southern Africa
  6. Is there a role for traditional governance systems in South Africa's new water management regime?


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