Groot River (Western Cape)

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Groot River
South Africa relief location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location of the Groot River mouth
EtymologyFrom Grootrivier, meaning "big river" in the Afrikaans language
Location
Country South Africa
State Western Cape
Physical characteristics
Source_
  location Cederberg Mountains
Source confluence Twee / Lang
  coordinates 32°46′29″S19°17′35″E / 32.77472°S 19.29306°E / -32.77472; 19.29306
  elevation735 m (2,411 ft)
Mouth Riet River
  location
Confluence with the Riet River, Western Cape
  coordinates
32°36′48″S19°27′10″E / 32.61333°S 19.45278°E / -32.61333; 19.45278
  elevation
456 m (1,496 ft)

The Groot River (English: "Large River") is a river in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. It is part of the Olifants/Doring River system. It is not to be confused with the Groot River of Eastern Cape or the Groot River of Southern Cape provinces.

Contents

Course

It is formed by the confluence of the Twee River and Lang River, flowing off the eastern slopes of the Cederberg Mountains, south-east of Citrusdal.

The Groot flows in an easterly direction through the Skurweberge Mountains where it joins the Riet River that rises as the Winkelhaak River and Houdenbeks River north of Ceres. Below this confluence, the Riet River is joined by the Brandkraals River and Matjies River, after which it flows into the Doring River. [1]

Ecology

The Clanwilliam Yellowfish (Labeobarbus capensis), a local endemic classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, is found in this river. [2]

See also

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References

  1. Olifants/Doorn WMA 17
  2. "Technical Report on the State of Yellowfishes in South Africa 2007" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-06-29. Retrieved 2012-03-29.