This study, prepared for the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia, investigated water management practiced by the commercial farmers in the upper Kuiseb River Basin. These stakeholders have faced complaints that their farm dams negatively impact downstream users. Our goal was to assess water management tactics on these farms to develop recommendations for all stakeholders to improve water management and conduct further research. Our data indicate that farm dams contribute to local groundwater recharge and provide an important surface water source and that the water they retain does not significantly impact downstream users. Keywords: Namibia, Namib Desert, Kuiseb catchment, commercial farming, communal farming, development, sustainability, agricultural trends, applied technology, appropriate technology, water source, water demand, water policy, capacity building, infrastructure.