Keiskamma River

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]

Keiskamma River Keiskammarivier
general view of Keiskammahoek where the sources of the Keiskamma River lie
Location of the Keiskamma River mouth
Etymology	Meaning "sweet water" in the Khoekhoe language
Location
Country	South Africa
Province	Eastern Cape Province
Physical characteristics
Source	Near Keiskammahoek
• location	Amatola Mountains
• elevation	1,500 m (4,900 ft)
Mouth	Indian Ocean
• location	Near Hamburg
• coordinates	33°17′0″S 27°29′20″E
• elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Length	160 km (99 mi)
Basin features
Tributaries
• right	Tyhume

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

See also

• List of rivers of South Africa
• List of estuaries of South Africa

References

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

External links

• Keiskamma River Catchment (South Africa)
• Towns of historical interest in the 'kei
• Cape slavery heritage
• The carcass of Huberta, the Keiskamma River Hippopotamus (Apr 1931)