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Mthatha River

Coordinates: 31°56′S 29°11′E / 31.933°S 29.183°E / -31.933; 29.183
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Mthatha River
Umtata River
close to where the Mthatha River meets the Indian Ocean
Mthatha River is located in South Africa
Mthatha River
Location of the Mthatha River mouth
EtymologySneeze-wood trees (Ptaeroxylon obliquum) growing on the banks of the river[1]
Native name'mtathe Bawo (Xhosa)
Location
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceEastern Cape Province
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationBaziya Range, Eastern Cape, South Africa
 • elevation1,500 m (4,900 ft)
MouthIndian Ocean
 • location
Coffee Bay, South Africa
 • coordinates
31°56′S 29°11′E / 31.933°S 29.183°E / -31.933; 29.183
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length250 km (160 mi)
Basin size2,600 km2 (1,000 sq mi)

Mthatha River or Umtata River (Xhosa: 'mtathe Bawo) is a river in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. The river flows into the Indian Ocean in an estuary located near Coffee Bay. The Mthatha river flows in a southeastern direction and is approximately 250 km long with a catchment area of 2,600 km2. Mthatha Town (Umtata) is named after it.[2][3]

Its main tributaries are the Ngqungqu River and the Cicira River.[4]

The Mthatha River marks the southern limit of the Pondoland region.[5]

Dams

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Presently this river is part of the Mzimvubu to Keiskamma Water Management Area.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Dictionary of Southern African Place Names
  2. ^ Mthatha River System - 2008 Archived 2016-04-07 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Niba, AS; Mafereka, SP (3 April 2015). "Benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage composition and distribution pattern in the upper Mthatha River, Eastern Cape, South Africa". African Journal of Aquatic Science. 40 (2): 133–142. Bibcode:2015AfJAS..40..133N. doi:10.2989/16085914.2015.1028323. ISSN 1608-5914. S2CID 84022844.
  4. ^ Mzimbuvu to Keiskamma WMA 12
  5. ^ Contributions to the ecology of Maputaland, Southern Africa
  6. ^ Is there a role for traditional governance systems in South Africa's new water management regime?
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