The CMA is located in the
winter rainfall region. River flow is variable, with high peak flows in winter and low
summer flows. Rainfall is also distributed unevenly, varying from very low annual rainfall
on the Cape Flats to high rainfall on mountain catchments.
Considerable modification of rivers by the construction of dams has occurred to meet the
water demands for residential, agricultural, industrial and commercial activities. Urban
growth has also expanded into the floodplains of many streams and rivers and discharges of
wastewater and effluents have altered both the hydrodynamic and water quality
characteristics of many rivers, wetlands and vleis. |
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| In order
to provide a detailed description of the state of the environment, the focus has been to
identify and examine specific issues within an overall theme in order to
examine the state and pressures on each of these issues more thoroughly. |
| The key ISSUES regarding the State of Water in the CMA are: |
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