Vals River

River in South Africa

28°17′S 28°13′E / 28.29°S 28.21°E / -28.29; 28.21 • elevation1,880 m (6,170 ft) MouthVaal River

• location

Confluence with the Vaal River near Balkfontein, South Africa

• coordinates

27°23′17″S 26°30′58″E / 27.388°S 26.516°E / -27.388; 26.516

• elevation

1,250 m (4,100 ft)Basin size7,870 km² (3,040 sq mi)Basin featuresTributaries • leftBlomspruit • rightLiebenbergstroom

The Vals River (Afrikaans: Valsrivier) is a tributary of the Vaal River in the Free State, South Africa. It is a strong seasonal river.

This river of the Middle Vaal System is a good place for fishing, especially the local Largemouth Yellowfish.^[2]

Course

The river source is about 20 km southeast of Paul Roux and about 25 km southeast of Bethlehem. It flows under the N5 road shortly after its source. In its upper course the Vals River flows roughly northwards, bending northwestwards across the highveld towards Lindley and meandering across the plain.

In its middle course there are a number of weirs as it flows mostly through areas of dryland crops and its waters are used for irrigation. The Vals receives a number of small tributaries, the most important of which are the Blomspruit and the Liebenbergstroom. It finally meets the Vaal after crossing the city of Kroonstad.^[3]

Dams in its basin

Serfontein Dam, near Kroonstad
Barend Wessel Dam, by Kroonstad
Bloemhoek Dam, in the Jordaan Spruit

References

^ Dictionary of Southern African Place Names
^ "Steynsrus - Waterfall Guest Farm". Archived from the original on 2006-09-26. Retrieved 2012-04-08.
^ Middle Vaal WMA 9