Nossob River

The Auob's course, a Nossob tributary

The Nossob (also Nosob or Nossop) River (≠nuse !ab, Khoikhoi for black river)^[1] is a dry river bed in eastern Namibia and the Kalahari region of South Africa and Botswana. It covers a distance of 740km^[2] and last flooded in 1989. The river also lends its name to Nossob camp 25°25′18″S 20°35′47″E / 25.42167°S 20.59639°E / -25.42167; 20.59639 in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.^[2]

The Nossob has its origin in two main tributaries, the Swart-Nossob and Wit-Nossob, meaning black and white respectively. Both tributaries have their origins in the eastern slopes of the Otjihavera mountain range, east of Windhoek. Their sources are at 1,800m and over 2,000m above sea level respectively. The two river beds have their confluence some 80km south of Gobabis, which is situated on the bank of the Swart-Nossob.

From this confluence the river course passes the settlements of Leonardville and Aranos to arrive at Union's End, South Africa. From Union's End the river bed, forming the Botswana border, meanders through the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park for a distance of over 200km. It reaches the southern boundary of the game reserve at Twee Rivieren Camp, near its confluence with the Auob river.

In the Kalahari, the Nossob is said to flow about once a century. However, water does flow underground to provide life for grass and camelthorn trees growing in the river bed. The Nossob may flow briefly after large thunderstorms, causing wildlife to flock to the river.

The Nossob ends at a confluence with the Molopo River some 50km south of Twee Rivieren. The confluence at 26°54′15″S 20°41′24″E / 26.90417°S 20.69°E / -26.90417; 20.69 is still 890m above sea level. The Molopo is in turn a tributary of the Orange River, which it meets downstream of Augrabies Falls.

See also

• Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Notes

1. ^ du Plessis, E.J. (1973). Suid-Afrikaanse berg- en riviername. Tafelberg-uitgewers, Cape Town. p. 293. ISBN 0-624-00273X. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Raper, P.E. (2004). South African Place Names. Jonathan Ball, Jhb & Cape Town. p. 278. ISBN 1-86842-190-2.