The Boteti River (also spelt as BotletleHelgren, David M. (1984) "Historical Geomorphology and Geoarchaeology in the Southwestern Makgadikgadi Basin, Botswana" Annals of the Association of American Geographers 74(2): pp. 298–307, page 298Johannesburg Sheet 34, Edition 5, TPC, 1970, Series 2201, U.S. Army Map Service or Botletli) is a natural watercourse in Botswana of 1700km in length. It derives flow from the core Okavango Delta through the Thamalakane River in Maun.
Hydrology In the rainy season, the Boteti discharges to the Makgadikgadi Pans, bringing that area alive with seasonal activity and high biological productivity.Hogan, C. Michael (2008) "Makgadikgadi" at Burnham, A. (editor) The Megalithic Portal In the dry season, the Boteti is particularly important to wildlife which congregate in that area, since most seasonal ponds are then devoid of water.
The Boteti flows southeastwardBoteti River (n.d.). In Encyclopædia Britannica online. Retrieved 28 January 2019 out of the Thamalakane River swamp at Toteng, then flows northeastward past Tlkaseoulo, over Ghautsa Falls, and then flows east past the villages of Makalamabedi,Windhoek Sheet 33, Edition 4, TPC, 1969, Series 2201, U.S. Army Map Service Muekekle, and Matima, and then at Kwaraga, it turns south past the villages of Phukumakaku, Khumaga (Lekono), Sukwane, Rakops (Jakops), and Xhuma (Khomo). It then flows past Lake Xau (or in a very wet year into and out of Lake Xau) and then heads east past the village of Mopipi (Madista) and into the Ntwetwe Pan.
The Boteti stretches from Ngamiland to the main Boteti District, where it is used to fill the Mopipi Dam, which is important to the diamond mines in the area, particularly the Orapa diamond mine.Breyer, J. I. E. (1983) "Soils in the Lower Boteti Region, Central District, Botswana" National Institute for Development Research and Documentation, University of Botswana, Gaborone, page 32, The diversion of the river has left many residents without an adequate source of fresh water; moreover, they could no longer enjoy fishing and other activities in the river.
History In the early and mid-20th century, the lower Boteti, below Sukwane, was a major grain-producing area, with over 2,000ha under cultivation until 1980. However, the number and extent of wet years has declined, and the river was channelised below Rakops to increase flow to the Mopipi Dam. It flowed year-round before the mid-1990s, after which decreasing flows led to seasonal desiccation in some lower reaches.
See also Nxai Pan Nata River Sua Pan Nwetwe Pan
References