{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox river | name = Marico River | native_name = | native_name_lang = | name_other = {{langx|st|Madikwa}} | name_etymology = From the Bahurutse ''Madikwa'', meaning "there is blood".<ref>[http://www.fionaayerst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Marico-Oog-Aug-Sept-08.pdf Marico Oog Gallery]</ref> <!---------------------- IMAGE & MAP -->| image = River, Madikwe Game Reserve.jpg | image_size = | image_caption = Madikwe Game Reserve | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 6 | mapframe-point = none | map_size = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = South Africa | pushpin_map_size = | pushpin_map_caption = Location of the Marico River's mouth <!---------------------- LOCATION -->| subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = South Africa, Botswana | subdivision_type2 = | subdivision_name2 = | subdivision_type3 = Region | subdivision_name3 = North West Province, Limpopo Province | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = | subdivision_type5 = | subdivision_name5 = <!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS --> | width_min = | width_avg = | width_max = | depth_min = | depth_avg = | depth_max = | discharge1_location = | discharge1_min = | discharge1_avg = | discharge1_max = <!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES --> | source1 = Marico Oog | source1_location = Ngaka Modiri, South Africa | source1_coordinates = {{coord|25|47|19|S|26|21|57|E}} | source1_elevation = {{Convert|1482|m|ft|abbr=on}} | mouth = Limpopo River | mouth_location = near Oliphants Drift, South Africa/Botswana border | mouth_coordinates = {{coord|24|11|27|S|26|52|22|E|display=inline,title}} | mouth_elevation = {{Convert|872|m|ft|abbr=on}} | progression = Limpopo River → Indian Ocean | length = {{Convert|282|km|mi|abbr=on}} | river_system = | basin_size = {{convert|13208|km2|abbr=on}} | tributaries_left = | tributaries_right = | custom_label = | custom_data = | extra = <ref>[http://www.fao.org/docrep/008/y5744e/y5744e07.htm Major rivers and streams within the Limpopo River Basin]</ref> }}{{Use South African English|date = November 2024}} [[File:Limpopo watershed topo.png|thumb|300px|Course and Watershed of the Limpopo River]] The '''Marico River''' or '''Madikwe''' is a river in Southern Africa. There are a number of dams in its basin.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ewisa.co.za/misc/RiverNWMarico/defaultdam.htm |title=Major dams in the Marico River |access-date=2012-03-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417215531/http://www.ewisa.co.za/misc/RiverNWMarico/defaultdam.htm |archive-date=2012-04-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Groot Marico town is named after the Marico River.<ref>[http://www.marico.co.za/ Marico - Africa at its best]</ref> After it is joined on its right bank by the Crocodile River it is known as the Limpopo River.

==Course== thumb|300px|Eye of Marico, the source of the Marico River The river starts off as the Groot Marico River in the Marico Oog (Eye of Marico in Afrikaans), near Rustenburg and Swartruggens in the North West Province of South Africa. The source of the river is a large dolomitic hole in the ground with clear water, which is also a spectacular scuba diving spot.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://gauteng.guesthouses.co.za/Gauteng_Info-travel/south-africa-info-groot-marico.html |title=South Africa Information: Groot Marico |access-date=16 March 2012 |archive-date=16 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216062129/http://gauteng.guesthouses.co.za/Gauteng_Info-travel/south-africa-info-groot-marico.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> It flows northwards as the Great Marico (Groot Marico) and further downstream the smaller Klein Marico River joins forces.<ref>[http://travelingluck.com/Africa/South+Africa/North-West/_990260_Klein-Maricorivier.html#local_map Klein-Maricorivier, North-West, South Africa]</ref> For a stretch it is named Madikwene River, but after the Sehubyane River (Sandsloot) joins its left bank, it reverts to the name Marico.<ref>[http://www.dwaf.gov.za/iwqs/rhp/eco/FROC/WMA3CrocMarico.jpg Crocodile (West) & Marico WMA 3]</ref>

It continues flowing northwards, bending northeastwards and forming the border between South Africa and Botswana. Further downstream the Crocodile River joins the Marico River from the right and the name of the stream after the confluence becomes the Limpopo River. About 5&nbsp;km short of the confluence the Notwane River joins the Limpopo from the southwest.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sardc.net/imercsa/limpopo/fsheet1/drainage.htm |title=Limpopo Drainage Network |access-date=2012-03-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903061212/http://www.sardc.net/imercsa/limpopo/fsheet1/drainage.htm |archive-date=2014-09-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Dams in the river basin == The Marico River is part of the Crocodile (West) and Marico Water Management Area. Dams in the river basin are: * Molatedi Dam * Kromellenboog Dam * Marico-Bosveld Dam *Uitkyk Dam * Klein-Maricopoort Dam * Sehujwane Dam * Madikwe Dam

==See also== *Drainage basin A * List of rivers of South Africa *Marico barb

== References == {{reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.dwaf.gov.za/iwqs/rhp/state_of_rivers/crocwestmarico_05/crocwestmarico_05_a4.pdf Overview of the Crocodile (West)/Marico Water Management Area] *[http://www.fao.org/docrep/008/y5744e/y5744e07.htm Major rivers and streams within the Limpopo River Basin] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20120207060008/http://www.safarimappers.com/area.aspx?lngareaid=37 Madikwe Game Reserve] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20111215154235/http://www.madikweriverlodge.com/ Madikwe River Lodge]

Category:Rivers of Botswana Category:International rivers of Africa Category:Tributaries of the Limpopo River Category:Botswana–South Africa border Category:Rivers of North West (South African province) Category:Rivers of Limpopo