Vals River
Vals River (Enta) | |
Valsrivier | |
River | |
Sarel Cilliers Bridge over the Vals River in Kroonstad | |
Name origin: Translated into Afrikaans from its Khoekhoe name Enta, Nta or Entaap, meaning 'false or treacherous river'; possibly referring to unexpected depths in its stream bed or to changes in its course during floods.[1] | |
Country | South Africa |
---|---|
Region | Free State |
Tributaries | |
- left | Blomspruit |
- right | Liebenbergstroom |
Cities | Lindley, Kroonstad |
Source | |
- location | Near Paul Roux |
- elevation | 1,880 m (6,168 ft) |
Mouth | Vaal River |
- location | Vaal Dam |
- elevation | 1,337 m (4,386 ft) |
- coordinates | 27°40′37″S 27°12′40″E / 27.67694°S 27.21111°ECoordinates: 27°40′37″S 27°12′40″E / 27.67694°S 27.21111°E |
Basin | 7,870 km2 (3,039 sq mi) |
Location of the Vals River mouth
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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
See also
References
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vals River. |
- Free State Region River Systems
- Free State residents worried about sewage flowing into the Vals River