Crocodile River (Limpopo)
{{short description|River in South Africa}}
{{About|the river in Gauteng, North West and Limpopo provinces|the tributary of the Komati River|Crocodile River (Mpumalanga)}}{{Use South African English|date = November 2024}}
{{Infobox river
| name = Crocodile River
| native_name = {{langx|tn|Oodi}}
| native_name_lang =
| name_other = {{langx|af|Krokodilrivier}}
| name_etymology =
| image = Krokodilrivier, a, Phalandingwe.jpg
| image_size =
| image_caption = Crocodile River at Pelindaba, North West
| map = {{Infobox mapframe|point=none|stroke-colour=#4271ae|zoom=6}}
| map_size =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = South Africa
| pushpin_map_size =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of the Crocodile River's mouth
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = South Africa
| subdivision_type2 =
| subdivision_name2 =
| subdivision_type3 = Province
| subdivision_name3 = Gauteng, North West and Limpopo
| subdivision_type4 =
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| width_min =
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| depth_min =
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| discharge1_location =
| discharge1_min =
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| source1 = Witwatersrand
| source1_location = Witpoortjie, Gauteng
| source1_coordinates = {{Coord|-26.123|27.830|format=dms|display=i}}
| source1_elevation = {{convert|1710|m|abbr=on}}
| mouth = Limpopo River
| mouth_location = Dwaalboom, Limpopo
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|24|11|27|S|26|52|22|E|display=i}}
| mouth_elevation = {{convert|872|m|abbr=on}}
| progression = Limpopo River → Indian Ocean
| length = {{convert|423|km|abbr=on}}
| river_system =
| basin_size = {{convert|29572|km2|abbr=on}}
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The Crocodile River ({{langx|tn|Oodi}},{{Cite journal | url=https://www.academia.edu/7147078 | title=Fenders of Space: Kgatla Territorial Expansion Under Boer and British Rule, 1840–1920 | journal=Indigenous Southern African Responses to Colonialism, 1840-1930 | pages=21–46 | last1=Morton | first1=Fred }} {{langx|af|Krokodilrivier}}) is a river in South Africa. At its confluence with the Marico River, the Limpopo River is formed.[http://www.fao.org/docrep/008/y5744e/y5744e07.htm Major rivers and streams within the Limpopo River Basin]
Course
File:ISS019-E-14058crocodile.jpg picture of the Crocodile River south of Thabazimbi]]
The Crocodile River has its source in the Witwatersrand ridge, originating in Constantia Kloof, Roodepoort, Gauteng province. The first dam on the river is the Lake Heritage Dam just west of Lanseria International Airport. Just north of this airport is its confluence with the Jukskei River. Further downstream into the North West province are the Hartbeespoort Dam[http://196.3.165.92/damhistory.aspx Hartbeespoort Dam History] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120707124108/http://196.3.165.92/damhistory.aspx |date=2012-07-07 }} and the Roodekoppies Dam. Beyond the Hartbeespoort Dam, the stream 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 Limpopo province, about 35 km further, the river passes the town of Thabazimbi and meanders for many kilometres 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.[http://www.dwaf.gov.za/Projects/MCWAP/documents/EIAphase1Appendices/Appendix%20H/Appendix%20H3/Mokolo%20Crocodile%20Water%20Augmentation%20Project%20-%20Report.pdf Mokolo and Crocodile River (West)]
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.[http://www.dwaf.gov.za/iwqs/rhp/eco/FROC/WMA3CrocMarico.jpg Crocodile/Marico WMA 3]
Pollution
File:Hartbeespoort Dam, North West (South Africa).jpg deteriorating the water quality of Hartbeespoort Dam]]
The Crocodile River is one of the most polluted river systems in South Africa. The effects of pollution from two of South Africa's metropolitan areas, 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
File:South Africa-Hartbeespoot dam05.jpg]]
The Crocodile River is part of the Crocodile (West) and Marico Water Management Area. Dams in the river basin are:
- Hartbeespoort Dam
- Roodekoppies Dam
- Rietvlei Dam, in the Rietvlei River
- Bon Accord Dam and Leeukraal Dam, in the Apies River
- Klipvoor Dam and Roodeplaat Dam, in the Pienaars/Moretele River
- Vaalkop Dam, in the Elands River
- Bospoort Dam, in the Hex River (Matshukubjana)
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Crocodile River (West)|Crocodile River}}
- [http://www.dwaf.gov.za/iwqs/rhp/state_of_rivers/crocwestmarico_05/crocwestmarico_05_a4.pdf Overview of the Crocodile (West)/Marico Water Management Area] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419184646/http://www.dwaf.gov.za/iwqs/rhp/state_of_rivers/crocwestmarico_05/crocwestmarico_05_a4.pdf |date=2018-04-19 }}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064627/https://ujdigispace.uj.ac.za/handle/10210/2008 Natural and anthropogenic influences on water quality: an example from rivers draining the Johannesburg Granite Dome]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20120317153330/http://www.togoto.co.za/index.asp?pid=2 A river runs through Limpopo Province]
- [http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?pid=S1816-79502009000500007&script=sci_arttext The influence of land use on water quality and diatom community structures in urban and agriculturally stressed rivers]
{{Greater Johannesburg|natural}}