OVERVIEW OF THE IMPACT OF MINING ON THE ... - IIED pubs

3.2 The Kazungula sub-catchment
3.2.1 General description
3.2.1.1 Hydrology
The catchment zone comprises the so-called “headwater zone” of the Chamabonda Stream, a series of small,
ephemeral streams with episodic flows that flow into Zimbabwe and enter the Zambezi River both above and
below the Victoria Falls. In the northern part of this small sub-catchment, a few small ephemeral streams flow
into the Zambezi River at Kazungula.
3.2.1.2 Geology and geomorphology
The Upper Karoo Batoka Basalt Formation, covered in a few areas by recent alluvial material and large
expanses of Kalahari Sands, underlies this small sub-catchment.
3.2.1.3 Pedology, agriculture and land use
The soils can be separated into two groups, namely: the Kalahari Sands and very shallow, gravelly soils
overlying the basalts. The area lies within an are of low rainfall (approximately 650 mm) in northeastern
Botswana. The predominance of Kalahari Sands makes the area generally unsuitable for agriculture, except
for small areas of subsistence agriculture along the richer soils on river terraces. Land use is largely given over
to forestry, with a minor emphasis on tourism. The area is traversed by the Kazangula – Nata – Francistown
road linking Zambia and Botswana, with a small road to the border post at Mpandamatenga on the Zimbabwe
border.
3.2.1.4 Surface water users
The only settlements of any size are the Botswana border post of Kazangula. A few small boreholes at
veterinary fences along the Kazungula – Nata road provide the only source of surface water away from the
Zambezi River. A borehole serves the Mpandamatenga border post.
3.2.1.5 Water management systems
This area falls under the management of the Botswana Department of Minerals, Energy and Water.
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