Keiskamma River

River in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Location of the Keiskamma River mouth

EtymologyMeaning "sweet water" in the Khoekhoe languageLocationCountrySouth AfricaProvinceEastern Cape ProvincePhysical characteristicsSourceNear Keiskammahoek • locationAmatola Mountains • elevation1,500 m (4,900 ft) MouthIndian Ocean

• location

Near Hamburg

• coordinates

33°17′0″S 27°29′20″E / 33.28333°S 27.48889°E / -33.28333; 27.48889

• elevation

0 m (0 ft)Length160 km (99 mi)Basin featuresTributaries • rightTyhume

The Keiskamma River (Afrikaans: Keiskammarivier) is a river in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. The river flows into the Indian Ocean in the Keiskamma Estuary, located by Hamburg Nature Reserve, near Hamburg,^[1] midway between East London and Port Alfred. The Keiskamma flows first in a southwestern and then in a southeastern direction after meeting its main tributary, the Tyhume River.^[2]

The Keiskamma River marked the border between the Cape Province and former British Kaffraria, known also then as Queen Adelaide's Province, until 1847.^[3]

Presently this river is part of the Mzimvubu to Keiskamma Water Management Area.^[4]

Ecology

There is a small population of the endangered Eastern Province rocky (Sandelia bainsii) in the Tyhume River, part of the Keiskamma river basin.^[5]

Dams

Sandile Dam

References

^ Integrated Management Plan for the Hamburg Nature Reserve^{[permanent dead link]}
^ South African Estuaries - Keiskamma
^ The Kat River Rebellion by the Khoe and Cape Creoles in the Eastern Cape
^ Is there a role for traditional governance systems in South Africa's new water management regime?
^ Sandelia bainsii