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Bitter (CW6)
(CSIR, National Research Institute for Oceanology, 1981-06) Estuarine and Coastal Research Unit, RCRU
The nature of the Bitter surface sediments in the mouth region suggest that the river flows intermittently but probably only for short periods. This is to be expected from the nature of the rainfall and the small size of the catchment. Sediments originating from the sea tend to build up the sand bar at the mouth of the Bitter, whilst the river would tend to breach it at times of flow, particularly in the winter months. Sea water probably only overtops the sandbar during exceptionally high tides combined with heavy seas and onshore winds.
Bot/Kleinmond system (CSW13)
(CSIR, National Research Institute for Oceanology, 1982-09) Estuarine and Coastal Research Unit, ECRU
In this report an attempt is made to synthesis available information on the Botriviervlei and Kleimond estuary. The name Bot River is probably a direct reference to the slow flowing nature of the river and derived from bot, while Kleinmond estuary derives its name from the fact that it used to be the mouth of the Little Bot River. Research has increasingly shown that the two have close links and must be regarded as one system. This has not always been recognised and consequently more information is available on the Bot vlei than on the Kleinmond estuary.
Bree (CSW22)
(CSIR, National Research Institute for Oceanology, 1983-12) Carter, RA
The Bree River estuary is very large and although there are problems associated with limited fresh water supplies and an active dune field on the north bank of the mouth, there is considerable potential for development. After a long history of development as a coasting port the Bree River estuary has been developed into a recreation area.
Buffels (CW3)
(CSIR, National Research Institute for Oceanology, 1981-04) Estuarine and Coastal Research Unit, ECRU
This report entails available historical information on Buffels estuary and abiotic and biotic characteristics found in the estuary are presented. Although the Buffels River has a relatively large catchment compared with most other major rivers of the Cape Province (8th largest catchment in the Cape) it only flows into the sea at times of exceptionally high rainfall. The reasons for this are that the major part of the catchments lays between the 100-200 mm mean annual isohyets and that the geological formation of the river basin is such that it forms two large aquifers which absorb much of the river flow. The presence of one of these aquifers at the mouth of the Buffels River provides fresh water and thus allowed for the development of the Kleinsee mining settlement.
Eerste (CSW 6)
(CSIR, National Research Institute for Oceanology, 1982-12) Grindley, JR
This report provides historical information on Eerste River, catchment, abiotic and biotic characteristics. The Eerste River rises on Dwarsberg 60 km east of Cape Town as the head of Jonkershoek. The river catchment covers the eastern part of the Cape Flats lying to the west of the Hottentots Holland Mountains and south of the Tygerberg where the Kuils river trinutary rises east of Kanonkop. This river was the first river encountered on leaving Cape Town by early settlers and agricultural and urban developments in the catchment appeared in early years.
Gamtoos (CMS48)
(CSIR, National Research Institute for Oceanology, 1981-04) Estuarine and Coastal Research Unit, ECRU
The Gamtoos has the fourth largest catchment of all the Cape rivers, with an area of 34 438 km2 which extends right up into the Great Karoo. Two large tributaries drain the eastern extremity of the Nuweveld Mountain range and the western slopes of the Onder-Sneeuberg mountain ranges of the great escarpment above Nelspoort and Murraysburg. The geology and geomorphological features of the Gamtoos Estuary and adjacent shoreline have been described by the City of Port Elizabeth's metropolitan Planning Unit in the coastal study undertaken in 1978. Because of the size and diversity of the entire system it has not been possible to include details of all the available information of the Gamtoos River.
Goukourivier [previously known as Kafferkuils (CSW24)] and Duiwenhoks (CSW23)
(CSIR, National Research Institute for Oceanology, 1990-10) Carter, RA; Brownlie, S
In the Kafferkuils now known as the Goukourivier the sediment dynamics of the estuary mouth region have been altered by the breaking of the sediment pathway into the historic sediment sink east of the mouth. This is done by the initial fixing of the drift sand region by planting programme and the subsequent building of road and houses across the sand transport route. But little information exists on both Kafferkuils and Duiwenhoks estuaries. The sediment and hydraulic dynamics of both the systems have been investigated in some detail, but data on the biota and physico-chemical characteristics are sparse.
Gourits (CSW25)
(CSIR, National Research Institute for Oceanology, 1989-02) Heydorn, HJ
This report provides historical overview on river catchment, ecology, biotic and abiotic characteristics and available information on the Gourits estuary. The Gourits Estuary, in common with other estuaries whose mouths are open for part or all of the year, is likely to be important as a nursery area for many species of fish which are to a greater or lesser degree dependent on estuarine conditions for part of their life cycle (Wallace et al. 1984). It must therefore be ensured that dam building and any further developments will never reduce the amount of water reaching the mouth to such a degree that the mouth closes for any length of time. The river is formed by the confluence of the Gamka and Olifants rivers just south of Calitzdorp.
Groen (CW7)
(CSIR, National Research Institute for Oceanology, 1981-06) Estuarine and Coastal Research Unit, ECRU
The state of knowledge of the Groen is poor. The area, being remote, has received little attention in the past and the bulk of information in this report originates from the Estuarine and Coastal Research Unit (ECRU) survey. Although the Groen flows infrequently, probably once in about five years, surface water always present in the estuary, even during dry periods and often when river mouths on the coastline between the Groen and Orange are dry. The water body in the estuary appears to be partially maintained during dry periods, by springs situated in the upper reaches of the estuary on the flood plain.
Groot (WES) (CMS 23) and Sout (CMS 22)
(CSIR, National Research Institute for Oceanology, 1983-06) Morant, PD; Bickerton, IB
Little is known of the early history of the area surrounding the Groot and Sout estuaries. The densely forested terrain dissected by deep gorges caused the area to be avoided by early travellers who used the inland route via the Langkloof to Algoa Bay. The Groot estuary, bordering on South Africa's only coastal National Park, is in an almost completely natural condition. The Sout estuary is a predominantly tidally driven system consisting of narrow upper reaches opening into a relatively broad sandy cove which in turn opens to the sea through rocky promontories.
Groot Brak (CMS3)
(CSIR, National Research Institute for Oceanology, 1983-12) Morant, PD
The Great Brak estuary has been endowed with great scenic beauty and recreational potential. The estuary and environs thus offer a great challenge for progressive development with the needs of existing industries and residential areas having to be catered for, while making full allowance for the expansion of tourism and recreation which are likely to be the greatest economic asset of Great Brak. This report provides historical information on Groot Brak estuary, geology, River catchment, abiotic and biotic characteristics
Hartenbos (CMS1)
(National Research Institute for Oceanology, CSIR, 1982-06) Estuarine and Coastal Research Unit, ECRU
This report provides an overview of the Hartenbos estuary of the Cape Coast dealing with aspects such as climate, geology, soils, catchments, run-off, vegetations, oceanography and estuaries. In this report available information on Hartenbos estuary is summarised and presented and it provides understanding of the functioning of estuarine systems under the variable conditions prevalent along the South African coastline. The Hartenbos and its catchment lie within a region of bimodal rainfall.
Heuningnes (CSW19)
(CSIR, National Research Institute for Oceanology, 1984-02) Bickerton, IB
In this report available historical information on Heuningnes estuary is presented. The threat posed by high water levels in the Heuningnes, to the farmland situated on the coastal plain of Bredasdorp reduces the possibility of leaving the mouth to manage itself. However, the maximum water level in the estuary above which inundation of any farm land occurs, should be established. Under the forestry management policy the open mouth should be allowed to migrate back and forth depending on the longshore drift and run-off conditions. The recommendations in this report concerning increased tidal exchange through the forestry causeway should help to solve the management problem at the mouth.
Holgat (CW2)
(CSIR, National Research Institute for Oceanology, 1981-06) Estuarine and Coastal Research Unit, ECRU
The Holgat is not an estuary in the true sense, due to a combination of factors. Although the catchment has an area of 1500 km2, the Holgat last flowed in 1925. The main reason for this appears to be the low rainfall in the catchment and the dune-covered arid hinterland readily absorbs the scanty run-ff. The high salinity of the water in the trench at the mouth suggests that there is very little subsurface freshwater seepage from higher-lying area. The report is part of a series on Cape Estuaries being published under the general title.
Hout Bay (CW27)
(CSIR, National Research Institute for Oceanology, 1988-12) Grindley, SA
Hout Bay is a south-facing crescentic embayment on the west coast of the Cape Peninsula approximately 22km south of Cape Town. The valley of Hout Bay is surrounded by mountains with the summit of Table Mountain. The use of the Hout bay as a convenient and, in the short-term, cheap conduit for stormwater from new development should be halted. More effective means of conducting stormwater to the sea from new developments on both sides of the valley should be investigated. To allow new developments to discharge their stormwater into the Hout Bay River will greatly compound the already intensive erosion and flooding problems. The present condition of the Hout Bay River catchment can be seen as the product of large-scale changes over several centuries. The rate of change has increased significantly in recent times and unless carefully controlled it may seriously threaten the high quality of the environment in this unique valley.
Keurbooms/Bitou system (CMS19) and Piesang (CMS18)
(CSIR, National Research Institute for Oceanology, 1984-10) Duvenage, IR; Morant, PD
In this report available historical information on the Keurbooms/Bitou and Piesang Estuaries is presented. It entails information on marine ecology, river catchment, abiotics and biotics characteristics found in the estuaries. The Keurbooms, Bitou and Piesang rivers enter the sea in Plettenberg Bay which is a premier coastal holiday resort in the Cape Province. The region is characterised by extreme seasonal population fluctuations, inflated property prices and a relentless demand for the development of seaside accommodation.
Klein (CSW16)
(CSIR, National Research Institute for Oceanology, 1989-10) De Decker, HP
This report provides historical overview on river catchment, ecology, biotic and abiotic characteristics and available information on the Klein estuary. Kleinriviersvlei is popularly known as "Hermanus Lagoon". In some of the accounts of Kleinriviersvlei it is difficult to determine exactly to which component of the system the author is referring. However, for the purposes of this report, the estuary is that part of the system between an imaginary line joining Kettle and Pulpit points and the sea. The lagoon is the main lacustrine water body between the kettle point - Pulpit point line and the point of entry of the Kleinrivier in the east. When the system as a whole is being discussed it is referred to as kleinriviersvlei or, more simply the vlei. The vlei has its origin at the confluence of the Hartebees and Steenboks rivers south-east of Dunghye Park.
Knysna (CMS 13)
(CSIR, National Research Institute for Oceanology, 1985-03) Grindley, JR
The report entails available historical information on Knysna estuary and abiotic and biotic characteristics found in the estuary are presented. The Knysna system is commonly referred to as a lagoon but it may also correctly be called an estuary. The upper sections above the National Road Bridge are strictly estuarine and dependant on the flow of the Knysna River, but while the rest of the system is largely a marine embayment, it maintains estuarine characteristics including a predominantly estuarine biota. The name Knysna for the river and the estuary has been used by all sources consulted, but the system has been variously referred to as an estuary, lagoon or embayment.
Kowie (CSE10)
(CSIR, National Research Institute for Oceanology, 1982-06) Estuarine and Coastal Research Unit, ECRU
A detailed account of the history of the Kowie estuary and the attempts to develop a harbour at the mouth of the river are given in the “Basket Work Harbour”. (Turpin, 1964). As far as could be ascertained, the river has always been known as the Kowie River. The settlement established at the mouth of the river in 1821 was originally called Port Kowie. This was changed to Port Frances in 1825 in honour of the wife of Colonel Henry Somerset who was then in charge of the military forces on the Eastern Frontier. In 1860 the name of the town was changed once again, to Port Alfred to honour Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburg who was visiting the Frontier at that time. When the settlement was first established at the mouth of the river, the estuary “consisted of one vast swampy region bounded on the east and west by the hills today known as the East and West Banks. When the tide receded it left exposed a number of sandbanks or islands, and the main outlet to the sea was under the eastern hill, exactly opposite the flats to where it is at present.
Krom (CMS45), Seekoei (CMS46) and Kabeljous (CMS47)
(CSIR, National Research Institute for Oceanology, 1988-04) Bickerton, IB; Pierce, SM
This report provides historical overview on river catchment, ecology, biotic and abiotic characteristics and available information on three estuaries of the Cape namely: Krom, Seekoei and Kabeljous Estuaries. The estuaries and catchment areas of these rivers all lay within the boundaries of the Humansdorp Divisional Council. In general, development should be restricted to areas which have already been disturbed by earlier developments or by invasion of alien plants such as Rooikrans. Area which are still in a natural state should, as far as possible be protected against development. Ecologically sensitive areas around the Kromme Estuary have been classified according to a report "Principles and Objectives for Coastal Zone Management in Republic of South Africa".

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