Mkabela
Wetlands: the stomach of the river, filtering nutrients, storing precious water, the most degraded ecosystems on earth
Graduation project, MA and MSc Innovation Design Engineering, 2019
Polyurethane, Silicone, Arduino, Brass
10cm x 5cm
2019
10cm x 5cm
2019
Mkabela, meaning “stomach” in isiZulu, is the river that runs through the community in which my family farms. It is so named because of the large wetland that controlled the seasonal water volumes and fed the Umgeni river downstream. In 1927 a drainage trench was dug through the wetland to allow for the construction of a railway line. The wetland can no longer perform its ecosystemic functions.
In 2014 I met with the farmers and discussed rehabilitating the wetland. I was tasked with writing a report upon which the farmers could decide what process to follow in rehabilitating the wetland.
Using GIS the catchment was mapped out, flood risks were assessed and a prediction of a new, rehabilitated water table was created.
Wetlands are dynamic aquatic ecosystems with a high flow rate of water during a flood. A permeable solution was required.
Using GIS the catchment was mapped out, flood risks were assessed and a prediction of a new, rehabilitated water table was created.
Wetlands are dynamic aquatic ecosystems with a high flow rate of water during a flood. A permeable solution was required.
We built river jacks which help cause debris blockages during heavy rains to help flood the surrounding area which will in turn raise the water table and slowly fill the trench.
The river jacks are anchored to a concrete post buried in the ground. So far four river jacks have been installed. The project is ongoing and the farmers meet regularly to monitor the progress.
The river jacks are anchored to a concrete post buried in the ground. So far four river jacks have been installed. The project is ongoing and the farmers meet regularly to monitor the progress.
