Nossob River

{{Infobox river

| name = Nossob River

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| image = Auob matamata2.jpg

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| image_caption = The Auob River's course, a Nossob tributary

| map = {{Infobox mapframe|point=none|stroke-colour=#4271ae|zoom=5}}

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| pushpin_map = South Africa

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| pushpin_map_caption = Location of the Nossob River's mouth

| subdivision_type1 = Country

| subdivision_name1 = Botswana, Namibia and South Africa

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| source1_location = Otjihavera Range, Namibia

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| source1_elevation = {{convert|1900|m|abbr=on}}

| source2 = Confluence of the Swart-Nossob and Wit-Nossob

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| source2_elevation = {{convert|1565|m|abbr=on}}

| mouth = Molopo River

| mouth_location = Northern Cape, South Africa

| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|26|54|15|S|20|41|24|E|display=inline,title|region:za}}

| mouth_elevation = {{convert|890|m|abbr=on}}

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| tributaries_left = Black Nossob River, Klein Nossob River

| tributaries_right = White Nossob River, Auob River

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}}{{Use South African English|date = November 2024}}

File:Molopo Basin OSM.png

File:Nosob River bird eye view.jpg

The Nossob River (also Nosob or Nossop; ǂnuse ǃab, Khoikhoi for black river){{cite book|last = du Plessis|first = E.J.|title = Suid-Afrikaanse berg- en riviername|publisher = Tafelberg-uitgewers, Cape Town|date = 1973|isbn = 0-624-00273-X|page = 293}} is a dry river bed in eastern Namibia and the Kalahari region of South Africa and Botswana. It covers a distance of 740 km and last flooded in 1989. The river also lends its name to Nossob camp ({{coord|25|25|18|S|20|35|47|E|}}) in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.{{cite book|last = Raper|first = P.E.|title = South African Place Names|publisher = Jonathan Ball, Jhb & Cape Town|date = 2004|isbn = 1-86842-190-2|page = 278}}

Course

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 1,800 m and over 2,000 m above sea level respectively. The two river beds have their confluence some 80 km 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 200 km. It reaches the southern boundary of the game reserve just north of 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 is stored 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 50 km south of Twee Rivieren. The confluence at {{coord|26|54|15|S|20|41|24|E|}} is still 890 m above sea level. The Molopo is a tributary of the Orange River, which it meets downstream of Augrabies Falls.

Dams

=White Nossob=

Otjivero Dam, near the settlements of Otjivero and Omitara{{Cite web | title=Otjivero Dam | publisher=namibweb.com | url=https://www.namibweb.com/otjivero-dam-namibia.htm | accessdate=28 October 2020}}