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Crocodile River (Limpopo)

Coordinates: 24°11′27″S 26°52′22″E / 24.19083°S 26.87278°E / -24.19083; 26.87278
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Crocodile River
Crocodile River at Pelindaba, North West
Crocodile River (Limpopo) is located in South Africa
Crocodile River (Limpopo)
Location of the Crocodile River's mouth
Native nameTemplate:Lang-tn Error {{native name checker}}: parameter value is malformed (help)
Location
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceGauteng, North West and Limpopo
Physical characteristics
SourceConstantia Kloof
 • locationNear Witpoortjie, Witwatersrand, Gauteng Province
MouthLimpopo River
 • location
Limpopo Province, South Africa/Botswana border
 • coordinates
24°11′27″S 26°52′22″E / 24.19083°S 26.87278°E / -24.19083; 26.87278
Basin size29,572 km2 (11,418 sq mi)

The Crocodile River (Template:Lang-tn,[1] Afrikaans: Krokodilrivier) is a river in South Africa. After its confluence with the Marico River, both rivers form the Limpopo River.[2]

Course

NASA picture of the Crocodile River south of Thabazimbi

The Crocodile River has its source in the Witwatersrand mountain range, originating in Constantia Kloof, Roodepoort, Gauteng province. The first dam it fills is the Lake Heritage Dam just west of the Lanseria Airport. Just north of this airport is its confluence with the Jukskei River. Further downstream into the North West Province two large dams are located in the river, namely Hartbeespoort Dam[3] and Roodekoppies Dam. Beyond the Hartbeespoort Dam, it passes the town of Brits. The Elands River joins downstream from the Vaalkop Dam, about 20 km further the Pienaars River joins its right bank, shortly after exiting the Klipvoor Dam.

In the Limpopo Province, about 35 km further, the Crocodile River passes the town of Thabazimbi and meanders for many miles through a sparsely inhabited area before joining the Marico River just west of Rooibokkraal at the limit of North West Province to form the start of the Limpopo River.[4]

Tributaries

The tributaries of the Crocodile River include the Bloubankspruit, Hennops River, Jukskei River, Magalies River, Sterkstroom River, Rosespruit, Skeerpoort River, Kareespruit, Elands River, Bierspruit River and Sundays River.[5]

Pollution

Massive growth of water hyacinth deteriorating the water quality of Hartbeespoort Dam

The Crocodile River is one of the most pressured river systems in South Africa. The effects of pollution from two of South Africa's metropolitan areas, Johannesburg and Tshwane, has been detrimental to the ecology of the system. Untreated industrial, mining, agricultural and household waste has deteriorated the water quality throughout most of its course and led to massive algal blooms in the Hartbeespoort Dam and Roodekoppies Dam. Invasive plant species have negatively affected the integrity of the system. Unsustainable farming practices have led to sediment overloads and erosion further harming the river.

Dams

View of the Hartbeespoort Dam

The Crocodile River is part of the Crocodile (West) and Marico Water Management Area. Dams in the river basin are:

See also

References

  1. ^ Morton, Fred. "Fenders of Space: Kgatla Territorial Expansion Under Boer and British Rule, 1840–1920". Indigenous Southern African Responses to Colonialism, 1840-1930: 21–46.
  2. ^ Major rivers and streams within the Limpopo River Basin
  3. ^ Hartbeespoort Dam History Archived 2012-07-07 at archive.today
  4. ^ Mokolo and Crocodile River (West)
  5. ^ Crocodile/Marico WMA 3