Prospect for Developing Water Storage through Analysis of Runoff and Storage Capacity of Limpopo and Luvuvhu-Letaba Water Management Areas of South Africa
Khathutshelo A. Tshikolomo, Sue Walker, Azwihangwisi E. Nesamvuni

Abstract
The study investigated the prospects for developing water storage based on comparison of existing runoff with storage capacity of river catchments and of municipalities in Limpopo and Luvuvhu-Letaba Water Management Areas (WMAs). Ten municipalities were sampled for the study, namely: Makhado, Musina, Lephalale, Polokwane, and Aganang (Limpopo WMA) and Letaba, Thulamela, Tzaneen, Giyani and Mutale (Luvuvhu-Letaba WMA). The mean annual runoff (MAR) was 985.9 million m3 for Limpopo WMA and 1 183.9 million m3 for Luvuvhu-Letaba WMA. Total storage capacity was 325.2 million m3 for Limpopo WMA and 759.6 million m3 for Luvuvhu-Letaba WMA. A MAR of 611.4 million m3 for Limpopo WMA and 365.2 million m3 for Luvuvhu-Letaba WMA was available for additional storage. Combined municipal MAR of 380.6 million m3 for Limpopo WMA and 155.2 million m3 for Luvuvhu-Letaba WMA was available for additional storage. The Limpopo WMA should be prioritised for building of additional dams.

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