An assessment of instream flow requirements in the Sabie-Sand River catchment

Abstract

This dissertation is an assessment of the compliance with and performance of the Instream Flow Requirement (IFR) system and the Building Block Methodology for the Sabie-Sand River. Firstly, a comprehensive exploration of aspects of the ecological system in the Sabie-Sand Catchment is set out and explored in an attempt to garner an understanding of the pertinent ecological components of the river, in the form of a literature review. This is done with a view to gaining insight into where potential ecological failure may occur should flows in the Sabie-Sand be inadequate for ecological maintenance. A range of abiotic and biotic factors are investigated, and the manner in which they might change in response to changing flow conditions is set out.