Zandvlei Trust

Keysers River Restoration Project

Background

This project started about four years ago, with a study by UCT Freshwater Research Unit to establish the problems facing the lower reaches of the Keysers River for the SPA.
The Keysers River is one of the feeder rivers to Zandvlei, and thus forms part of its Catchment. It starts on the slopes of the Table Mountain chain as small streams – Prins and Prinses Kasteel, . They flow about 10 kilometres to Zandvlei.
In this focused area, the river winds through the light industrial and commercial sites of Retreat / Kirstenhof / Tokai, from the Main Road to Military Road. Local businesses (above) are contributing some of the finances, the SPA supplies the logistics and support. WESSA is responsible for the financial management and the skills training for the River Wardens.

Site Plan

The River is the green line, between the Main Road to the west and the railway line in the east. Notice the oxbow - which has an island not easily accessible by humans.

Vision

• To restore and maintain the Keyser’s River to a safe, healthy and ecologically functioning river.

• It will support indigenous riparian vegetation and an improved ecosystem (free from alien vegetation and with improved water quality.

• This will be achieved through implementing a socially responsible programme with an environmental management plan

• supports a social /community upliftment programme

• advertises the project sponsors

• is an example that inspires other similar projects

• is secure and crime free (lighting surveillance and vegetation removal)

• is widened to accommodate 1 in 50 year flood events.