Integrated catchment modelling in a Semi-arid area

Abstract

Water management in South Africa is increasingly being shifted towards the public domain as was intended by the National Water Act (1998). This means that water managers, managing Catchment Management Agencies (CMAs) or similar bodies, will increasingly need water quality and quantity management tools to be able to make informed decisions. Integrated catchment modelling (ICM) is regarded as being a valuable tool for integrated water resource management. It enables officials and scientists to make scientifically based decisions on issues such as assessing anthropogenic impacts on water resources, evaluating the assurance of water supply, assessing the impacts associated with land use change, forecasting floods, etc. In this study, the application of a hydrological model for ICM is demonstrated