Okavango Delta Management Plan - Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

eastern from the central and western part of the system. The most western distributiary is
the Thaoge. The central distributary, the Jao/Boro is often the only path for surface water
outflow from the <strong>Delta</strong>. The Kunyere/Xudum/Matsibe system is essentially a branch of the
Jao, ultimately leading water to Lake Ngami. To the east of the <strong>Delta</strong> there is the
Maunachira distributary splitting into the Khwai and Mboroga, which further splits into
Gomoti and Santantadibe.
Figure 2-7: <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong> river channels
There are some changes observed in distribution of water between the distributaries.
Santantadibe and Gomoti are perceived to be drier than in the past, while the Khwai
appears to be gaining in importance. To the west, the Thaoge is known to have been
reduced considerably in the early 20 th century. Recently, further reductions have been
observed, with water redirected to the Kunyere/Xudum/Matsibe, and consequently causing
considerable flooding of Lake Ngami in 2004; the last flood having occurred in 1989.
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