Crocodile River (Limpopo)

This article is about the river in Gauteng, North West and Limpopo provinces. For the tributary of the Komati River, see Crocodile River (Mpumalanga).
Crocodile River
River
Crocodile River at Pelindaba
Country South Africa
Province Gauteng, North West and Limpopo
Source Constantia Kloof
 - location Near Witpoortjie, Witwatersrand, Gauteng Province
Mouth Limpopo River
 - location Limpopo Province, South Africa/Botswana border
 - coordinates 24°11′27″S 26°52′22″E / 24.19083°S 26.87278°E / -24.19083; 26.87278Coordinates: 24°11′27″S 26°52′22″E / 24.19083°S 26.87278°E / -24.19083; 26.87278
Basin 29,572 km2 (11,418 sq mi)
Location of the Crocodile River's mouth

The Crocodile River (Afrikaans: Krokodilrivier) is a river in South Africa. After its confluence with the Marico River, both rivers form the Limpopo River.[1]

Course

NASA picture of the Crocodile River south of Thabazimbi

The Crocodile River has its source in the Witwatersrand mountain range, originating in Constantia Kloof, Roodepoort, Gauteng province. The first dam it fills is Heia Safari Ranch Dam just west of the Lanseria Airport. Just north of this airport is its confluence with the Jukskei River. Further downstream into the North West two large dams are located in the river, namely Hartbeespoort Dam[2] and Roodekoppies Dam. Beyond the Hartbeespoort Dam, it passes the town of Brits. The Elands River joins downstream from the Vaalkop Dam, about 20 km further the Pienaars River joins its right bank, shortly after exiting the Klipvoor Dam.

In the Limpopo Province, about 35 km further, the Crocodile River passes the town of Thabazimbi and meanders for many miles through a sparsely inhabited area before joining the Marico River just west of Rooibokkraal at the limit of North West Province to form the start of the Limpopo River.[3]

Tributaries

The tributaries of the Crocodile River include the Bloubankspruit, Hennops River, Jukskei River, Magalies River, Sterkstroom River, Rosespruit, Skeerpoort River, Kareespruit, Elands River, Bierspruit River and Sundays River.[4]

Pollution

The Crocodile River is one of the most pressured river systems in South Africa. The effects of pollution from two of South Africa's largest cities, Johannesburg and Tshwane, has been detrimental to the ecology of the system. Untreated industrial, mining, agricultural and household waste has deteriorated the water quality throughout most of its course and led to massive algal blooms in the Hartbeespoort Dam and Roodekoppies Dam. Invasive plant species have negatively affected the integrity of the system. Unsustainable farming practices have led to sediment overloads and erosion further harming the river.

Dams

View of the Hartbeespoort Dam

The Crocodile River is part of the Crocodile (West) and Marico Water Management Area. Dams in the river basin are:

See also

References

  1. ↑ Major rivers and streams within the Limpopo River Basin
  2. ↑ Hartbeespoort Dam History
  3. ↑ Mokolo and Crocodile River (West)
  4. ↑ Crocodile/Marico WMA 3
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