Past and present spatial precipitation variability in the upper middle catchment of the Olifants River basin

Within the context of catchment hydrology, using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model, this paper attempts to assess the past and present spatial precipitation variability in the upper middle catchment (UMC) of the Olifants River basin. The study shows a strong decreasing trend of east-to-west direction of spatial precipitation with most rainfall concentrated in the eastern part of the area. Within the western part of the UMC, we also noted another decreasing trend of precipitation from south to north with northern areas of the study area receiving the least amount of rainfall. This localized spatial precipitation variability in the area, from past and present, underlines the importance of studies targeting localized areas within a larger and wider river basin like the Olifants where such variations could otherwise been overlooked.