Orange River Basin Soil Moisture for January 1985 - 1999

Soil moisture throughout the Orange basin is low with the western section having the driest conditions. The western reaches received the least amount of rainfall and coupled with this are high evaporation rates, leading to persistent water deficit. The highlands in the eastern part of the basin receive the most rainfall and consequently have higher soil moisture levels. During the winter months (Oct to March) when rainfall is higher are there patches of increases soil moisture estimates.