Crocodile River (Limpopo)

This article is about the river in Gauteng, North West and Limpopo provinces. For the tributary of the Komati River, see Crocodile River (Mpumalanga).

View of the Hartbeespoort Dam

The Crocodile River (Afrikaans: Krokodilrivier) is a river in South Africa. After the confluence with the Marico River, both rivers form the Limpopo River.

Course

The Crocodile River has its source in the Witwatersrand mountain range, originating in Constantia Kloof, Roodepoort, Gauteng province. The first dam it fills is Heia Safari Ranch Dam just west of the Lanseria Airport. Just north of this airport the Jukskei River joins its forces. Further downstream into the North West two large dams are to be found in the river, namely Hartbeespoort Dam and Roodekoppies Dam. Just past the Hartbeespoort Dam, it passes the town of Brits. The Elands River joins its left bank just 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 at the limit of North West Province to form the start of the Limpopo River.

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.

Dams in the river basin

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

• Hartbeespoort Dam
• Roodekoppies Dam
• Rietvlei Dam, in the Rietvlei River
• Bon Accord Dam and Leeukraal Dam, in the Apies River
• Klipvoor Dam and Roodeplaat Dam, in the Pienaars/Moretele River
• Vaalkop Dam, in the Elands River
• Bospoort Dam, in the Hex River

See also

• Drainage basin A
• List of rivers of South Africa
• List of reservoirs and dams in South Africa

External links

• Overview of the Crocodile (West)/Marico Water Management Area
• Natural and anthropogenic influences on water quality: an example from rivers draining the Johannesburg Granite Dome
• A river runs through Limpopo Province
• The influence of land use on water quality and diatom community structures in urban and agriculturally stressed rivers