STEENBRAS RIVER: Topography, geology and soils

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Map of the STEENBRAS River

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TOPOGRAPHY
This quaternary sub-catchment is situated between the Hottentots Holland and Kogelberg Mountains. (Ref 3)
    GEOLOGY                                    
The geology of the Steenbras catchment is characterised by quartzitic sandstone, thin bands of shale and conglomerate of the Table Mountain Group (Ref. 1).
Haughton (1933) divides the Table Mountain Series lithologically as follows:  Upper Sandstone, Upper shale Band, Glacial Band, Main Sandstone and Lower Shale Band.  The Glacial Band and Upper Shale Band can be seen in the Steenbras catchment as well as in the Upper Sandstones occurring between the Upper Shale Band and the Bokkeveld Beds of the overall Cape System.  He also mentions a deposit of rounded boulders resting on a wave-cut terrace 21 m above sea level in a cove south of the Steenbras River Mouth. (Ref 1)
    SOILS                                    
  References                                      

Ref 1:           Heinecken, T.J.E., Bickerton, I.B. and Morant, P.D. (1982).  Estuaries of the Cape .  Part II.  Synopses of available information on individual systems.  Report No. 12:  Buffels (Wes) – (CSW 1), Elsies (CSW 2), Sir Lowry’s Pass – (CSW 8), Steenbras (CSW 9) and Buffels (Oos) – (CSW 11).  CSIR Research Report 411, 72pp.  

Ref 3:  Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, South Africa. 2004. Berg Water Management Area: Internal Strategic Perspective. Prepared by Ninham Shand (Pty) Ltd in association with Jakoet and Associates, Umvoto Africa and Tlou and Matji, on behalf of the Directorate: National Water Resource Planning. DWAF Report No P WMA19/000/00/0304.

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