Save River (Africa) Explained
| Save River |
| Map: | Save Basin OSM.svg |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| Source1 Location: | South of Harare, Zimbabwe |
| Mouth Location: | Indian Ocean |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | Zimbabwe, Mozambique |
| Length: | 640km (400miles) to [1] |
| Source1 Coordinates: | -18.65°N 31.1208°W |
| Mouth Coordinates: | -20.9042°N 35.0628°W |
| Discharge1 Location: | Indian Ocean (near mouth) |
| Discharge1 Avg: | (Period: 1979–2015) [2] (Period: 1971–2000)[3] |
| Discharge2 Location: | Vila France do Save (Basin size: |
| Discharge2 Min: | [4] |
| Discharge2 Avg: | (Period: 1976–1979)[5] |
| Discharge2 Max: | [6] |
| Basin Size: | 106420km2 to [7] |
| River System: | Save River |
| Tributaries Left: | Macheke, Odzi |
| Tributaries Right: | Devuli, Turgwe, Runde, Coe |
The Save River, or Sabi River (Portuguese: Rio Save) is a 400abbr=onNaNabbr=on river of southeastern Africa, flowing through Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The river has its source in Zimbabwe, some 80km (50miles) south of Harare, then flows south and then east, from the Zimbabwean highveld to its confluence with the Odzi River. It then turns south, drops over the Chivirira (“Place of Boiling”) Falls, and flows down the western side of Zimbabwe's Eastern Highlands, forming a dry river valley in the rain shadow of these mountains. It is joined by the Runde River or Lundi at the Mozambique border, forming a dramatic confluence at Mahenya. It then crosses Mozambique to flow into the Indian Ocean at about 21°S.
The Save River provided irrigation for sugar plantation, but now supports the cultivation of citrus, cotton, rice, and wheat. It is also a source of small-scale fishing for the local population.
It divides Mozambique administratively, politically, ethnically and ecologically:
- During the colonial era, the administrative units of the area south of the Save changed over time, but the longer lasting were the districts of Gaza and Inhambane; presently, the Save separates the provinces of Gaza and Inhambane to the south, from those of Manica and Sofala to the north:
- Politically, the “south-of-the-Save” can be considered the stronghold of Frelimo, while the region immediately to the north is, in general, more supportive of Renamo;
- The Save separates the ethnic groups that are native speakers of Shangaan (or Xi-Tsonga), to the south, from those that speak languages of the Shona group in the north;
- Ecologically, as the Save flows into the Indian Ocean, its mouth corresponds to the separation of tropical marine ecosystems, to the north, from the subtropical; the terrestrial ecosystems show less variation along the coastal plain north and south of the river, but inland where the Chimanimani Mountains start, a montane forest develops, which is completely different from the forests found in the south.
The delta of the Save River includes mangrove forests which span approximately 100km (100miles) on the Indian Ocean coast. Villagers in the delta basin use the mangrove forests for timber and small-scale fishing. The ecology of the lower Save River basin has been affected by cyclones, flooding, erosion, and sea level rise.
Historically it was a transport route for gold and trade goods between the coast and the hinterland occupied by the civilisation of Great Zimbabwe in the 13th and 14th centuries AD.
Notes and References
- https://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Project-and-Operations/Multinational_-_SADC_-_Shared_Watercourses_Support_Project_for_Buzi__Save_and_Ruvuma_River_Basins_-_Appraisal_Report.pdf SADC - Shared Watercourses Support Project for Buzi, Save and Ruvuma River Basins
- Web site: GEF TWAP - Transboundary Waters Assessment Programme — GEF TWAP.
- Web site: Rivers Network.
- https://nelson.wisc.edu/sage/data-and-models/riverdata/station_table.php?qual=256&filenum=2289 Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment - SAGE
- https://nelson.wisc.edu/sage/data-and-models/riverdata/station_table.php?qual=256&filenum=2289 Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment - SAGE
- https://nelson.wisc.edu/sage/data-and-models/riverdata/station_table.php?qual=256&filenum=2289 Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment - SAGE
- https://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Project-and-Operations/Multinational_-_SADC_-_Shared_Watercourses_Support_Project_for_Buzi__Save_and_Ruvuma_River_Basins_-_Appraisal_Report.pdf SADC - Shared Watercourses Support Project for Buzi, Save and Ruvuma River Basins
