Thuli River

{{Infobox river | name = Thuli River | image = Thuli River.jpg | image_size = 250px | image_caption = The Thuli River flowing out of Thuli Gorge, south of Gwanda, Zimbabwe | source1_location = Matopo Mission, Matobo District, Zimbabwe | mouth_location = Shashe River | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = Zimbabwe | length = | source1_elevation = | discharge1_avg = {{convert|36.0|mm/yr|in/yr|abbr=on}} unit flow<ref name="Chibi">Chibi, T., Kandori, C. and Makone, B.F. 2005. Mzingwane Catchment Outline Plan. Zimbabwe National Water Authority, Bulawayo.</ref> | basin_size_km2 = 7,910 }}

The '''Thuli River,''' former name '''Tuli River''', is a major tributary of the Shashe River in Zimbabwe. It rises near Matopo Mission, Matobo District, and flows into the Shashe River near Tuli village.

== Hydrology ==

The Thuli is an ephemeral river, with declining annual unit runoff.<ref>Love, D., Uhlenbrook, S., Madamombe, E., Twomlow, S. and van der Zaag, P. 2006. An evaluation of climate and run-off variability and associated livelihood risks in the Mzingwane Catchment, Limpopo Basin, Zimbabwe. Water Institute of Southern Africa Biennial Conference and Exhibition, Durban, South Africa, May 2006.</ref>

Its major tributaries include the Mtshabezi, Mtshelele, Sengezane river and Mwewe rivers.

Below Thuli-Makwe Dam, the Thuli is a sand filled channel, with alluvial aquifers in the river channel.<ref>Görgens, A.H.M. and Boroto, R.A. 1997. Limpopo River: flow balance anomalies, surprises and implications for integrated water resources management. In: Proceedings of the 8th South African National Hydrology Symposium, Pretoria, South Africa.</ref>

== Towns ==

The Thuli River passes through no major settlements, only the following business centres:

* Freda Mine * Guyu * Manama * Chelesa, Zimbabwe [Sengezane]

== Bridges and crossings ==

thumb|Bridge on the Thuli River at Freda Mine.

There are five main bridges over the Mzingwane River:

* Bridge on Old Gwanda Road, between Matombo Mission and Blanket Mine. * Bridge on Gwanda - Kezi road, below Thuli-Makwe Dam. * Elliot Bridge, upstream of Guyu. * Bridge on Manama - Kafusi road. * Mankonkoni Bridge on Tuli - Kafusi road. This bridge was destroyed by Cyclone Eline.

There are also a number of fords and crossing points, including:

* Ntalale causeway, which was badly damaged by Cyclone Eline. * Causeway below Thuli gorge

== Development ==

thumb|Thuli-Makwe Dam.

In addition to a number of small weirs, there is one major dam on the Thuli River:

* Thuli–Makwe Dam, west of Gwanda. It is located near the confluence with the Mtshelele River and supplies water for irrigation.

The Mtshabezi River (the principal left-bank tributary) is dammed at Mtshabezi, Sheet and Blanket. Mtshabezi Dam will augment the water supply for the City of Bulawayo, once a connecting pipeline has been completed. Sheet and Blanket Dams supply water to the City of Gwanda and Blanket and Vubachikwe Mines.

Two additional dam sites have been selected further downstream:

* Thuli–Moswa, where no development has taken place. * Thuli–Manyange, upstream of Elliot Bridge, where construction was briefly started in 2007 but is now halted.<ref name="Chibi" />

== References ==

{{coord|-21.8003|29.0617|type:river_region:ZW|format=dms|display=title}}

Category:Thuli River Category:Rivers of Zimbabwe Category:Shashe River