Zandvlei Trust
Zandvlei Catchment Rivers
The source of all the rivers of Zandvlei rise in the Cape Peninsula Mountains,
on the left of the map. The Diep River has the longest course, approximately 15
kilometers from source to Zandvlei.
These rivers are the life blood of Zandvlei and have to be carefully monitored
to make sure of the sustainability of Zandvlei.
In recent years, developments
along the water courses have impacted negitively, in that excessive nutrients
(fertilizers) and sediments (top soil erosion) are being deposited in Zandvlei
at high run off periods. Also seroiusly affecting the rivers is the lack of road
gutter and storm water drain sump cleaning. The silt ends up in the storm water
drains which feeds into the rivers and then into Zandvlei. If damming and water
extraction of these rivers is not carefully controlled, the inflow to Zandvlei
can be seriously affected.
Zandvlei is an estuary, which has a delicate, cyclic and seasonal balance of sea to fresh water mix. This mix determines its life supporting capabilities.
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