Kamfers Dam

Last updated
Kamfers Dam
Lesser Flamingos, Kamfersdam breeding island, 2008.jpg
Lesser flamingos on Kamfers Dam's artificial breeding island, 2008
South Africa Northern Cape relief location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Kamfers Dam
Coordinates 28°40′22″S24°45′48″E / 28.67278°S 24.76333°E / -28.67278; 24.76333
Type reservoir
Basin  countriesSouth Africa
Surface elevation1,180 m (3,870 ft)

Kamfers Dam is a privately owned permanent water body [1] of 400 ha, situated to the immediate north of Kimberley, South Africa. The wetland was originally an ephemeral pan, often dry and dependent on rain water. In recent times its water level rose due to the input of constant runoff and treated water from the growing city of Kimberley. [2]

Contents

The area of water at the dam has become a major breeding site for lesser flamingos since the construction of an artificial island. [3] The dam and surrounding 380ha wetland area are designated as a conservation zone in the city's draft spatial development plan. [4] As of 2008 though, pollution and rezoning of nearby land for the proposed Northgate development has become a contentious issue, with conservationists raising alarm. [4]

Lesser flamingos

The dam harbours high concentrations of blue-green algae ( Spirulina spp) and diatoms ( Cyclotella spp.), the main food sources for its plentiful lesser flamingos. The dam typically supports 20,000 lesser flamingos, but occasionally over 50,000 individuals are present, a large proportion of the subregion's total population. [1] The birds are mobile and commute between the major feeding sites in southern Africa. [5]

Construction of island

The dam has become an important breeding site for lesser flamingos since an artificial S-shaped breeding island was constructed in September 2006. Ornithologist Mark D. Anderson enlisted the help of a local company Ekapa Mining, who moved 26,000 tons of material to create the island. All was delivered along a narrow 200m causeway, and deposited in an S-shape to create two bays. [6] [7]

2,000 adult lesser flamingos assembled on an artificial S-shaped breeding island in Kamfers Dam Lesser Flamingos, 2000 adults, Kamfersdam.jpg
2,000 adult lesser flamingos assembled on an artificial S-shaped breeding island in Kamfers Dam

A submerged pump driven by solar panels delivers water to four ponds where the flamingos can collect clay to build their nest turrets. [1] A thousand artificial nest turrets were constructed in the hope that flamingos would settle on the island, and within weeks some 10,000 birds had arrived. These birds departed for winter but a larger flock of some 20,000 returned in September 2007 and commenced breeding over the midsummer months, ignoring the man-made turrets and building their own. [1]

Conservation value

In the summer season of 2007/8 almost two thousand pairs of lesser flamingo bred on the island, producing an estimated 9,000 chicks. The breeding success is expected to reverse the recent negative population trend in the southern population. [3] This breeding colony became the first for the species in South Africa, the fourth in Africa and one of 6 in the world. [1]

The new breeding site is considered to be of special importance as the most important Lake Natron is threatened by proposed soda ash mining, [8] while Etosha Pan is only productive once every 9 years. [1] The island also offers unusual insight into flamingo biology since typical breeding sites are much less accessible. Webcams are to be installed when the flamingos vacate the island, to facilitate observations and to increase public awareness.

Conservation controversies

Lesser flamingos on Kamfers Dam's artificial breeding island, 2006 Lesser Flamingos, Kamfersdam breeding island, 2006.jpg
Lesser flamingos on Kamfers Dam's artificial breeding island, 2006

As of 2008 conservationists are at odds with city officials and developers due to pollution and plans for nearby residential and business development. Conservationists appealed to the public to oppose the developers and proposed a solution to the pollution problem. [4]

Pollution

Severe algal bloom was noticed in the dam during February 2008, raising fears of an outbreak of toxic Microcystis algae. Observed abnormalities in some birds were ascribed to the poor water quality. In June 2008 it was found that the sewage plant of the Homevale municipal works was ineffective and leaking sewage into the dam, in contravention of South African water legislation. City conservationists and engineers proposed a solution, solicited help from the public and raised general awareness. Discussions with the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality were deadlocked on the issue. [3]

Northgate development

A contentious rezoning of adjacent land, predicted to increase pollution and disturbance, was once again opposed by conservationists and the like-minded public. The proposed developments along the shore of the dam would include both residential and business properties. [4]

The controversy escalated in August 2008 when the city of Kimberley suspended three officials of the Northern Cape department of conservation and tourism, pending disciplinary hearings. [4] [9] By doing so the city also effectively sidelined these officials from discussions about the Northgate development's EIA. [4]

History note

Vacated Boer firing position at Kamfers Dam Boer Position Kamfers Dam.jpg
Vacated Boer firing position at Kamfers Dam

During the Siege of Kimberley, Kamfers Dam was the scene of a skirmish on December 9, 1899. Subsequently a large Boer cannon which started firing 96 lb. shells at the town on February 7, 1900 was stationed at Kamfers Dam. A number of cavalry sorties were made from Kimberley in attempts to capture it. The heavy gun and its crew however evaded capture after the relief of the siege, when its retreat was covered by Boer defensive positions at Dronfield. [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clinton, Tennessee</span> City in Tennessee, United States

Clinton is a city in and the county seat of Anderson County, Tennessee. Clinton is included in the Knoxville metropolitan area. Its population was 10,056 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greater flamingo</span> Species of bird

The greater flamingo is the most widespread and largest species of the flamingo family. Common in the Old World, they are found in Northern (coastal) and Sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East, the Levant, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean countries of Southern Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chilean flamingo</span> Species of flamingo

The Chilean flamingo is a species of large flamingo at a height of 110–130 cm (43–51 in) closely related to the American flamingo and the greater flamingo, with which it was sometimes considered conspecific. The species is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vaal River</span> Tributary of the Orange River, South Africa

The Vaal River is the largest tributary of the Orange River in South Africa. The river has its source near Breyten in Mpumalanga province, east of Johannesburg and about 30 kilometres (19 mi) north of Ermelo and only about 240 kilometres (150 mi) from the Indian Ocean. It then flows westwards to its confluence with the Orange River southwest of Kimberley in the Northern Cape. It is 1,458 kilometres (906 mi) long, and forms the border between Mpumalanga, Gauteng and North West Province on its north bank, and the Free State on its south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lesser flamingo</span> Species of bird

The lesser flamingo is a species of flamingo occurring in sub-Saharan Africa and western India. Birds are occasionally reported from further north, but these are generally considered vagrants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kimberley, Northern Cape</span> Capital of the Northern Cape, South Africa

Kimberley is the capital and largest city of the Northern Cape province of South Africa. It is located approximately 110 km east of the confluence of the Vaal and Orange Rivers. The city has considerable historical significance due to its diamond mining past and the siege during the Second Anglo-Boer war. British businessmen Cecil Rhodes and Barney Barnato made their fortunes in Kimberley, and Rhodes established the De Beers diamond company in the early days of the mining town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Natron</span> Alkaline lake in Arusha Region, Tanzania.

Lake Natron is a salt or alkaline lake located in north Ngorongoro District of Arusha Region in Tanzania at the border with Kenya. It is in the Gregory Rift, which is the eastern branch of the East African Rift. The lake is within the Lake Natron Basin, a Ramsar Site wetland of international significance. It is the only regular breeding area for Africa's lesser flamingoes, although this habitat is not protected and is under threat from planned development projects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vaal Dam</span> Dam in South Africa

The Vaal Dam in South Africa was constructed in 1938 and lies 77 km south of OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg. The lake behind the dam wall has a surface area of about 320 square kilometres (120 sq mi) and is 47 meters deep. The Vaal Dam lies on the Vaal River, which is one of South Africa's strongest-flowing rivers. Other rivers flowing into the dam are the Wilge River, Klip River, Molspruit and Grootspruit. It has over 800 kilometres (500 mi) of shoreline and is South Africa's second biggest dam by area and the fourth largest by volume.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Nakuru</span> Alkaline lake in Rift valley

Lake Nakuru is one of the Rift Valley lakes, located at an elevation of 1,754 m (5,755 ft) above sea level. It lies to the south of Nakuru, in the rift valley of Kenya and is protected by Lake Nakuru National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harts River</span> River in South Africa

The Harts River is a northern tributary of the Vaal River, which in turn is the largest tributary of the Orange River. Its source is in the North West Province, but the greater part of its basin is located in the Northern Cape Province, which it enters a few kilometers downstream from the Taung Dam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Environmental issues in Afghanistan</span>

Environmental issues in Afghanistan are monitored by the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA). They predate the political turmoil of the past few decades. Forests have been depleted by centuries of grazing and farming, practices which have only increased with modern population growth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Algoa Bay</span> Maritime bay in the Eastern Cape of South Africa

Algoa Bay is a maritime bay in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. It is located in the east coast, 683 kilometres (424 mi) east of the Cape of Good Hope.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Godavari–Krishna mangroves</span> Mangrove ecoregion of Indias eastern coast

The Godavari–Krishna mangroves are a mangrove ecoregion of India's eastern coast.

The Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest Ramsar site in Sindh, covering 566,375 ha, and is located in the Rann of Kutch in Badin District, Sindh, Pakistan. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary by the government of Sindh in 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Kuş</span> Lake in Turkey

Lake Kuş or Lake Manyas is a lake in western Turkey, located in the Bandırma region. It is a shallow nutrient-rich freshwater lake fed by groundwater and four streams. Small deltas have formed where the latter enter the lake, comprising extensive marshes and tree-lined riverbanks. Narrow belts of reed Phragmites fringe much of the lake. Water is abstracted for factory use and for irrigation. Cattle and sheep grazing are common along the lake shores.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chestnut-banded plover</span> Species of bird

The chestnut-banded plover is a species of bird in the family Charadriidae. This species has a large range, being distributed across Southern Africa. However, it occupies a rather small area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long Cecil</span> Howitzer

Long Cecil is a cannon built in the workshops of the De Beers mining company in Kimberley for use by the British in the Siege of Kimberley during the Second Boer War.

<i>The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos</i> 2008 British film

The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos is a 2008 British-American nature documentary that explores the great gathering of lesser flamingos which occurs every year at Lake Natron in Tanzania and along the salt lakes of the African Rift Valley. It was the first film released under the then-new Disneynature film label through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It premiered in France on 26 October 2008, with narration by Zabou Breitman. The film was released in theatres in the UK on 29 September 2009 and direct-to-video in the United States on 19 October 2010 with narration by Mariella Frostrup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern Ewaso Ng'iro</span> River in Kenya

The Southern Ewaso Ng'iro is a river in the Great Rift Valley in Kenya. It plays an important role in the ecology of Lake Natron, the main regular breeding site for near-threatened lesser flamingos. Changes to land use in the river's headwaters or in the marshes before the river enters the lake could have a serious impact on this species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marker Wadden</span> Artificial archipelago in the Netherlands

The Marker Wadden is an artificial archipelago under development in the Markermeer, a lake in the Netherlands. The first island was inaugurated on 24 September 2016. It is a nature reserve alternative to the much bigger proposed Markerwaard polder that was begun in 1941 but paused and finally abandoned in 2003.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "A Vision in Pink, Lesser Flamingo Breeding Success". Africa - Birds & Birding. 13 (2): 42–49. April–May 2008.
  2. Anderson, Mark D. "Kamfers Dam, SA Birding". Archived from the original on 2007-10-29. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
  3. 1 2 3 Anderson, Mark D. "Save the Flamingo" . Retrieved 2008-08-20.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Macleod, Fiona (2008-08-20). "Flamingo row: Officials 'under house arrest'". Mail&Guardian. Retrieved 2008-08-20.
  5. "Making for Makgadigadi, Satellite tracking flamingos in southern Africa". Africa - Birds & Birding. 9 (3): 14–15. June–July 2004.
  6. "Artificial breeding island for flamingos". Africa - Birds & Birding. 11 (2): 13. April–May 2006.
  7. "Africa's first artificial flamingo breeding island". Africa - Birds & Birding. 11 (6): 19. December 2006 – January 2007.
  8. "TA-TA to Lake Natron's flamingos?". Africa - Birds & Birding. 12 (4): 16. August–September 2007.
  9. "Officials suspended in N Cape flamingo flap". Mail&Guardian, Sapa. 2008-08-20. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  10. Doyle, Sir Arthur Conan. "The Great Boer War". Chapter 18. Classic Literature Library. Archived from the original on 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2010-04-13.