| BREEDE RIVER: Overview |
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eWISA Home | BREEDE: MAIN INDEX | ALPHABETICAL LIST OF RIVERS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Breede River Valley is one of the major
fruit and wine producing areas in South Africa.
The mouth of the Breede River is at Cape Infanta on the South coast, approximately 220 km east of Cape Town and 120 km west of Mossel bay. The river is approximately 337 km long and the catchment area is approximately 12384 sq.km. (Ref 1) |
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The origin of the Breede River is in the "Warm Bokkeveld" near Ceres, but the river is also fed by important tributaries such as the Hex River and the Riviersonderend. The area from the east of the Langeberg mountains (Die Koo) also drains via a break in the mountains between Montague and Ashton to the Breede River. The river exits the "Valley" between Bonnievale and Swellendam and meanders for approximately km over the coastal plane south of Swellendam before reaching the mouth at Cape Infanta (Witsand). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The valley is surrounded by impressive mountain ranges (Cape Folded Montains), the Langeberge at the east, the Slanghoek, DuToits and Stettyns mountains at the west and the Riviersonderend mountains in the south. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Breede River catchment (12600km2) and its main tributary, the Riviersonderend river drain the greater part of the water management area. The Breede River itself is 322km long, rising in the Skurweberg Mountains near Ceres and draining into the estuary mouth between Infanta and Witsand. (Ref 2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Breede River originates near Ceres andis drained by four main tributaries (Dwars, Koekoedouw, Titus and Witels river) which form its headwaters. The river reach then extends from Mitchells Pass, in a south easterly direction to the foot of the Limietberg Mountains. Here it is joined by the Witte, Slanghoek, Molenaars/Smalbaar, Holsloot, Waboomsrivier and Jan du Toit's rivers respectively. (Ref2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Central Breede sub-catchment is the area downstream of Brandvlei Dam to the confluence of the Breede River with the Riviersonderend river. This area consists of intensively cultivated lands of orchards and vineyards in theWorcester and Robertson area. The sub-catchment contains several relatively small tributaries; such as the Nuy (and Koo), Kogmanskloof, Doring, Poesjenels, Konings, Keisers, Groot and Boesman rivers. These rivers drain the Waboomberge, the northern and southern slopes of the Langeberg range, and the northern slopes of the Riviersonderend Mountains. Within this reach the Breede River starts to show characteristics of a lowland system, with the channel broadening, the gradient becoming more gentle and the substrate becoming dominated by gravel and sand. The flow of many of these tributaries has been altered from being perennial streams to becoming mostly seasonal as a result of the abstraction of water for intensive agricultural practices in the surrounding areas. (Ref2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Lower Breede sub-catchment: The Lower Breede sub-catchment includes the lower reaches of the Breede River after its confluence with the Riviersonderend river. In this section the river widens, becoming a meandering lowland system. The most significant tributary to join the Breede River along its lower reaches is the Buffelsjag River, which drains in the north-western portion of this sub-area. (Ref 2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| References | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. South African Estuaries. Catchment land-cover. Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2.. Rivers of the Breede Water Management Area 2011 - State of Rivers Report | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Useful links | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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South Africa Explored - Breede River Valley |
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