| Catchment Characteristics | Land and Estuary Uses | Ecology | Water Quality | |
| Threats | Hydrodynamics and mouth dynamics | Physical Features | Climate | References |
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LOURENS RIVER ESTUARY: General information and location |
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General | ||||||
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In the 17th century, the present Lourens River was know as the Tweederivier, since it was the second river crossed, after the Eerste River, on the journey from the Cape Peninsula towards the Hottentots Holland Mountains. (Ref.1.) | ||||||
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In 1976 it was named the Breitenbach, after a Lieutenant van Breitenbach. In the early 18th century it was referred to as the Laurens River after someone of that name was drowned in it, the spelling was subsequently changed to Lourens River, as it is still known today (Ref. 1). | ||||||
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Location (co-ordinates) | ||||||
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The Lourens River flows through Somerset West in a south-westerly direction and enters the sea to the west of the Strand. The mouth is located at 34°06’S and 18°49’E, approximately 40km south-east of Cape Town (Ref. 2). | ||||||
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Map of the Lourens River Estuary | |||||
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Dimensions | ||||||
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During a survey in 1982, the lagoon measured approximately 300m long and 30 to 40m wide (Ref. 2). | ||||||
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| Useful links | ||||||