Breede River
Encyclopedia
The Breede River is a river in the Western Cape Province of South Africa
. Travelling inland north from Cape Town
, the river runs in a west to east direction, the surrounding western mountains thus forming the first continental divide experienced by Europe
an settlers in the 18th century. The Titus River and Dwars River
become the Breë River.
of the river is in the Skurweberg mountain range close to Ceres. The head waters then runs through the modern day Mitchells pass before plaining out on its middle course in the Worcester area. The river mouth is at Port Beaufort in the Indian Ocean
.
, the Holsloot and Smalblaar Rivers joins from their catchment area of the Du Toitskloof- and Stettyn mountain ranges. The Hex River with its catchment area in the Hex River Mountains
also joins the Breede River from a north-eastern direction in the valley. Further downstream the Slang River and Buffeljags River drain the southern slopes of the Langeberg mountains before depositing their water in the Breede River. Near Swellendam
the river is joined by the Riviersonderend, with its catchment area in the mountains surrounding the Theewaterskloof Dam near Villiersdorp
.
and the Kwaggaskloof Dam
. In the catchment area are a few more dams:
which live in and frequent the waters of the Breede River, and were featured on the second season of the series River Monsters
.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. Travelling inland north from Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, the river runs in a west to east direction, the surrounding western mountains thus forming the first continental divide experienced by Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an settlers in the 18th century. The Titus River and Dwars River
Dwarsrivier
Dwarsrivier, Western Cape is a settlement in Cape Winelands District Municipality in the Western Cape province of South Africa....
become the Breë River.
Catchment area
The first catchment areaDrainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
of the river is in the Skurweberg mountain range close to Ceres. The head waters then runs through the modern day Mitchells pass before plaining out on its middle course in the Worcester area. The river mouth is at Port Beaufort in the Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
.
Tributaries
Passing on its course through the Breede River ValleyBreede River Valley
Breede River Valley is a region of Western Cape Province, South Africa known for being the largest fruit and wine producing valley in the Western Cape, as well as South Africa's leading race-horse breeding area...
, the Holsloot and Smalblaar Rivers joins from their catchment area of the Du Toitskloof- and Stettyn mountain ranges. The Hex River with its catchment area in the Hex River Mountains
Hex River mountains
The Hex River Mountains make up the second highest mountain range in the Western Cape province of South Africa and are located 120km north-east of Cape Town. They form part of a large anticline in the Cape Fold Belt mountain system and form a north-east, south-west trending mountain system forming...
also joins the Breede River from a north-eastern direction in the valley. Further downstream the Slang River and Buffeljags River drain the southern slopes of the Langeberg mountains before depositing their water in the Breede River. Near Swellendam
Swellendam
Swellendam is the third oldest town in the Republic of South Africa, a town with 28,072 inhabitants situated in the Western Cape province. The town has over 50 National monuments most of them buildings of Cape Dutch architecture....
the river is joined by the Riviersonderend, with its catchment area in the mountains surrounding the Theewaterskloof Dam near Villiersdorp
Villiersdorp
Villiersdorp is a small town located in the Western Cape province of South Africa in the Overberg region; population 15,678.Unlike most of the geographical region which specialises in wheat and canola farming, the Villiersdorp Valley is now agriculturally and micro-climatatically more similar to...
.
Dams on the river
The Greater Brandvlei Dam, completed in 1936 and fully extended by 1987, provides water to various irrigation schemes through of the agricultural sector of the region. (also known as the Brandvlei DamBrandvlei Dam
Brandvlei Dam is dam on the Lower Brandvlei River in Western Cape, South Africa.- References :* from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry...
and the Kwaggaskloof Dam
Kwaggaskloof Dam
Kwaggaskloof Dam is a dam on the Wabooms River, near Worcester, Western Cape, South Africa. It was established in 1975.- References :* from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry...
. In the catchment area are a few more dams:
- Stettynskloof DamStettynskloof Dam- References :* from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry...
on the Holsloot River tributary of the Breede Rievr. - Zwiegelaars Dam
- Theewaterskloof Dam both on the Riviersonderend RiverRiviersonderend RiverThe Sonderend River, also known as the Riviersonderend , is a main tributary of the Breede River, located in the Western Cape, province South Africa....
- Elandskloof DamElandskloof DamElandskloof Dam is dam on the Elands River, near Villiersdorp, Western Cape, South Africa. It was established in 1976.- References :* from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry...
on the Elands RiverElands River (Mpumalanga)Elands River, is probably more known for the Elands River Falls, near Waterval Onder, Mpumalanga, province South Africa. These fall 70 m in one drop, and are close to the NZASM tunnel...
a tributary of the Riviersonderend RiverRiviersonderend RiverThe Sonderend River, also known as the Riviersonderend , is a main tributary of the Breede River, located in the Western Cape, province South Africa....
. - Moordkuil Dam on the Hooks River a tributaty of the Breede River.
- Keerom DamKeerom DamKeerom Dam is a dam on the Nuy River, near Worcester, Western Cape, South Africa. It was established in 1954.- References :* from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry...
on the Nuy River a tributary of the Breede River. - Klipberg DamKlipberg DamKlipberg Dam is a dam on the Konings River, near McGregor, Western Cape, South Africa. It was established in 1964. It is located in the Breede Water Management Area.- References :* from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry...
on the Konings River itself a tributary of the Keisers River, a tributary of the Breede River. - Pietersfontein DamPietersfontein Dam- References :* from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry...
on the Pietersfontein River a tributary of the Kogmanskloof River, again a tributary of the Breede River. - Poortjieskloof DamPoortjieskloof Dam- References :* from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry...
on the Groot RiverGroot RiverGroot River may refer to any of the following rivers in South Africa:* Groot River * Groot River * Groot River * Orange River...
also flowing into the Kogmanskloof River - Buffeljags DamBuffeljags DamBuffeljags Dam is dam on the Buffeljags River, near Swellendam, Western Cape, South Africa. It was established in 1967.- References :* from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry...
on the Buffeljags RiverBuffeljags RiverBuffeljags River , is a river that originates at a point where two other rivers join each other, the one being the Grootvadersbos River and the other is called the Tradou River. The point is just east of a small town called Suurbraak, Western Cape province South Africa...
a tributary of the Breede River.
Activities on Breede River
River Rafting: The Breede River is a popular location for river rafting tours. The gently flowing water and the absence of crocodiles, hippos and mosquitoes make this a popular weekend destination. Several tour operators launch about 20 km south of Swellendam in two-man blow-up boats. There are Bull SharksBull shark
The bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas, also known as Zambezi shark or unofficially known as Zambi in Africa and Nicaragua shark in Nicaragua, is a shark common worldwide in warm, shallow waters along coasts and in rivers...
which live in and frequent the waters of the Breede River, and were featured on the second season of the series River Monsters
River Monsters
River Monsters is a documentary television series that airs on Animal Planet, hosted by Jeremy Wade and produced by Icon Films of Bristol, UK. The first season aired from 5 April to 17 May 2009. A second season began airing on 25 April 2010...
.