Sediments Assessment Study for the CORB

The OKACOM Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) has identified critical knowledge gaps regarding sedimentology of the Cubango Okavango River Basin (CORB). The increase or decrease of sediment supply affects the dynamics and physiography of the CORB and this indirectly acts on the delicate balance of the ecosystems in the rivers and the Delta. This lack of information, coupled with the increase in population pressure, tourism, and agricultural activities, has the potential to impact Basin management planning. Therefore, understanding the sediment dynamics is important for managing the resilience of the system and the possible threats to human livelihood, ecosystem functioning and ecosystem service delivery.

Under the Support to the SAP Implementation Project supported by UNDP and financed by GEF, OKACOM is developing a comprehensive Basin-wide Environmental Monitoring Framework (EMF) which will include sediment monitoring.  In October 2020, OKACOM  commissioned a Sediments Assessment Study to be carried out to document baseline conditions which will inform the development of a monitoring programme.  The Assessment will determine the sediment provenance, transport mechanisms and current fluxes within the CORB. The Sedimentation Assessment is key to gaining a better understanding of sedimentary processes specific to the CORB including a complete study of the physiography of the system in the three riparian states of Angola, Botswana and Namibia.  The results will support modeling of the system evolution through space and time, which is required in complement to the monitoring and will support in a progressive manner projection of future changes.  There is also a need to study the relative importance of anthropic vs natural processes and clarify the potential of management interventions; as well as land-use/land cover change, including the localization of possible pollution inputs, threats to local population and livestock).

A consortium comprising of international experts has been selected to carry out the Assessment, which is expected to commence by early 2021. An Inception Meeting was held where members of the Water Resources Technical Committee were offered an overview of the study and an opportunity to appreciate the methodology and work plan.  As part of the assessment, there will be capacity building for OKACOM Technical Committees with training on sediment measurements, handling and maintenance of equipment, monitoring and data analysis. This will also include the participation of Member States technical staff in fieldwork which will be conducted within the Basin as part of the project implementation.