Lesotho Highlands water project - Environmental impacts of a major water supply scheme Flashcards
Lesotho location?
Southern Africa, surrounded by the wealthier South Africa.
How has trade with South Africa benefitted Lesotho?
Lesotho has a lack of natural resources but an abundance of water which South Africa is lacking.
This has created a steady and secure trade that has benefitted Lesotho.
The Lesotho Highlands water transfer scheme is one of the worlds largest water supply schemes but has had serious environmental impacts.
Summary of Lesotho’s geographical landscape
Largely covered in mountains with an abundance of rainfall.
Most precipitation occurs between October to April.
Large amounts of this rainfall fall over the Maluti Mountains that cover an area of over 18,000km2.
How does Lesotho’s water consumption compare to its water supply?
Their current consumption is around 2 m^3/sec compared to the total available water which is around 1,500 m^3/sec.
When was the LHWP agreed by Lesotho and South Africa?
October 1986
Describe the several phases of the project
Phase IA - 185m dam, capacity of 1950 million metres^3 and completed in 1998.
Phase IB - 145m dam, capacity of 950 million metres^3 and completed in 2004.
Phase II - 165m dam, capacity of 2200 million metres^3 and completed in 2024
Phase III - 160m dam, capacity of 2220 million metres^3 and completion is currently on hold.
Phase IV is currently on hold.
How has the LHWP led to environmental impacts?
Phase IA began in 1986 without an EIA.
EIAs have been used since but environmental damage is still severe as the environmental impacts of a water project can never fully be mitigated.
What have been the 5 main environmental impacts?
Loss of farmland
Reduced access to natural resources
Habitat destruction
Downstream damage
Soil erosion
How has the LHWP led to Loss of farmland?
Less than 10% of Lesotho is suitable for farming and the water project is taking place in the most fertile land in the mountains.
2/3 of people in the affected areas depend on local food produce and those forced to move due to flooding have had far less access to natural resources.
How has the LHWP led to environmental impacts?
Phase IA began in 1986 without an EIA.
EIAs have been used since but environmental damage is still severe as the environmental impacts of a water project can never fully be mitigated.
How has the LHWP led to reduced access to natural resources?
Flooding and the location of the reservoirs has flooded/blocked access to natural resources.
This is particularly caused as a barrier to the movement of people and cattle who now cant access these resources.
How has the LHWP led to habitat destruction?
Flooding in the creation of the dams has caused habitat destruction of endangered species such as the bearded vulture.
Also the changing water movement threatens water movement downstream.
How has the LHWP led to downstream damage?
Less water available downstream for people and wildlife has caused a reduction in wetland habitats.
Also natural flooding is important because it increases sediment, oxygen and nutrition levels downstream.
How has the LHWP led to soil erosion?
Construction of dams and the associated infrastructure such as roads have increased runoff down slopes.
Also some farmers are forced to move farms onto steeper land as that is easily eroded as current land is used up.
