Salmonsdam Nature Reserve | |
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Location | Overberg, Western Cape, South Africa |
Nearest city | Stanford, Western Cape |
Coordinates | 34°25′35″S19°38′17″E / 34.42639°S 19.63806°E Coordinates: 34°25′35″S19°38′17″E / 34.42639°S 19.63806°E [1] |
Area | 834 ha (2,060 acres) |
Established | 1962 |
Governing body | CapeNature |
www |
Salmonsdam Nature Reserve is a nature reserve in the Overberg region of the Western Cape province of South Africa. It contains the mountain catchment area of the Paardensberg River in the Akkedisberg mountains. The reserve is administered by CapeNature and covers an area of 834 hectares (2,060 acres). [2]
A nature reserve may also be known as a natural reserve, wildlife refuge or sanctuary, biosphere reserve (bioreserve), natural or nature preserve, or nature conservation area. It is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for purposes of conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research. Nature reserves may be designated by government institutions in some countries, or by private landowners, such as charities, and research institutions. Nature reserves fall into different IUCN categories depending on the level of protection afforded by local laws. Normally it is more strictly protected than a nature park. Various jurisdictions may use other terminology, such as ecological protection area or private protected area in legislation and in reserves' official names.
Overberg is a region in South Africa to the east of Cape Town beyond the Hottentots-Holland mountains. It lies along the Western Cape Province's south coast between the Cape Peninsula and the region known as the Garden Route in the east. The boundaries of the Overberg are the Hottentots-Holland mountains in the West; the Riviersonderend Mountains, part of the Cape Fold Belt, in the North; the Atlantic and Indian Oceans in the South and the Breede River in the East.
The Western Cape is a province of South Africa, situated on the south-western coast of the country. It is the fourth largest of the nine provinces with an area of 129,449 square kilometres (49,981 sq mi), and the third most populous, with an estimated 6.6 million inhabitants in 2018. About two-thirds of these inhabitants live in the metropolitan area of Cape Town, which is also the provincial capital. The Western Cape was created in 1994 from part of the former Cape Province.
Local tradition claims that Salmonsdam was named for Robert Salmond, captain of HMS Birkenhead, which sank at Gansbaai in 1852. The area was declared a nature reserve by the Cape Provincial Administration in 1962. [2]
HMS Birkenhead, also referred to as HM Troopship Birkenhead or Steam Frigate Birkenhead, was one of the first iron-hulled ships built for the Royal Navy. She was designed as a steam frigate, but was converted to a troopship before being commissioned.
Gansbaai is a fishing town and popular tourist destination in the Overberg District Municipality, Western Cape, South Africa. It is known for its dense population of great white sharks and as a whale-watching location.
Salmonsdam is located in the Overstrand municipal area, 20 kilometres (12 mi) east of Stanford and about 150 km (93 mi) southeast of Cape Town. It encompasses the valley of the Paardensberg River and the surrounding mountain catchment area. The river flows from northeast to southwest, starting in a gorge called Keeromskloof and spreading out lower down into a marshy area known as "Die Weivlakte". Various smaller tributaries join the river; notably the Watervalkloof stream which passes over a series of small waterfalls called the "Zigzag Falls". On the eastern side of Keeromskloof can be found the Elandskrans Caves and Leopard Cave.
Overstrand Municipality is a local municipality in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is located along the Atlantic coast between Cape Town and Cape Agulhas, within the Overberg District Municipality. The principal towns in the municipality are Hermanus, Gansbaai and Kleinmond. As of 2011 it had a population of 80,432.
Stanford is a small riverside village in Overberg District Municipality in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Located only 16 km east of Hermanus and 22 km north-east of Gansbaai.
Cape Town is a legislative capital of South Africa. Colloquially named the Mother City, it is the primate city of the Western Cape province. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality.
The highest point in the park is the base of the radio mast at its northeastern corner, at a height of 637 metres (2,090 ft) above sea level. The Perdeberg peak on the northern edge of the park is one metre (3.3 ft) lower. [3]
The protected areas of South Africa include national parks and marine protected areas managed by the national government, public nature reserves managed by provincial and local governments, and private nature reserves managed by private landowners. Most protected areas are intended for the conservation of flora and fauna. National parks are maintained by South African National Parks (SANParks). A number of national parks have been incorporated in transfrontier conservation areas.
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