Great Fish River
Encyclopedia
The Great Fish River (called great to distinguish from the Namibia
n Fish River
) (afrikaans
: Groot-Visrivier) is a river running 644 kilometres (400.2 mi) through the South Africa
n province of the Eastern Cape
, it originates east of Graaff-Reinet and runs through Cradock
, just south of this the Tarka River
joins it. Thence it makes a jig-jag turn to Cookhouse
, from where it meanders before its final near-straight run to its estuary just north of Seafield
, into the Indian Ocean
. The river generally runs (naturally) all year round, although its headwaters rise in an arid region, and the natural flow can be sluggish in the dry season beyond the ebb and flow of the tidal reaches; now, water from the Orange River system can be used to keep up its flow in dry periods. The river is tidal for approximately 20 km.
There are over 135 species of marine and terrestrial birds found along the river including the colourful Knysna Lourie and Giant Kingfisher and the majestic Fish Eagle.
There are 26 species of snakes, of which only five are venomous.
and was hotly contested during the Xhosa Wars
of 1779 to 1878 between the Xhosa nation on the one side and the Dutch
farmers and the 1820 Settlers
from England
on the other, and in 1835, the Fingo
tribe was permitted to settle on the river's banks. During apartheid, the lower reaches formed the western boundary of the nominally independent Ciskei
homeland.
Between 1846 and 1847, the Fish River mouth area became a hive of activity during the War of the Axe, one of several frontier wars at the time between the Xhosa nation and the British colonists. A ferry was constructed at the Fish River to link the Cape Colony (western side of the river) with Waterloo Bay (the small bay near the mouth of Old Woman’s River which now flows through the Fish River Sun resort). Waterloo Bay, named after the first ship which unloaded cargo in the bay, served as a landing place for soldiers and supplies in the war. Several ships wrecked along the Fish Rover coast during these years.
The following are notable historical sites at the Fish River mouth, mostly encompassed within the Fish River Sun Resort premises which the establishment has endeavoured to protect:
for this was a major engineering undertaking, with the intake at Oviston (an acronym, in Afrikaans, for Orange-Fish Tunnel). Oviston is on the shores of the Gariep Dam
.
A hydro-electric generating plant is placed at the Fish River egress, but is uneconomic and is not in use.
Mixing of waters from two watersheds has been environmentally disastrous - much of the Fish River ecosystem is now taken over by Orange River flora and fauna.
The Fish River Sun opened its doors in March 1989 as a hotel and casino. The 184 000 hectare property on the eastern banks of the Fish River fell within the then Ciskei region, a former Bantustan homeland during the apartheid administration. The hotel, casino and golf course continued to be a popular and successful tourism attraction in the region, mostly due to the casino as licenses are awarded sparingly in South Africa.
The resort establishment suffered a huge knock when its casino license was not extended after its ten-year period, ending in 1999. The accommodation format was converted from a hotel to a vacation club functioning on a timeshare basis. The Eastern Cape Gambling Board granted another casino license in nearby Port Elizabeth, also operated by Sun International, in the Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World Complex. As part of the license bid, the Boardwalk agreed to supplement the costs of maintaining the Fish River Sun as part of its obligation to rural development in the province.
Activities include swimming, guided nature walks, golf, dune boarding, canoeing, fishing, mini-golf, and even spa treatments.
Golf course The resort’s greatest attraction is its golf course, designed by Gary Player and rated in the top 30 golf courses in South Africa
. Although the course is situated adjacent to the beach, it is not classified as links. The course has hosted some large events including the Africa Open in 2008.
is a significant town through which the Fish River runs. The area between Port Elizabeth and the Fish River is known as the Sunshine Coast.
situated near the mouth of the Great Fish River, about 25 km from the coastal holiday resort of Port Alfred
.
Before the lighthouse was built in 1898, two ship's lamps exhibiting fixed green lights were erected on a flagstaff at Port Alfred, but these lights later proved to be inadequate. The clockwork system which used to drive the lens is still intact and on display.
Although the lighthouse itself is only 9 meters high, it is situated 76 meters above sea level.
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
n Fish River
Fish River, Nambia
The Fish River is a river in Namibia. It is 650 km long, flowing from Hardap Dam near Mariental. The flow of the river is seasonal; in winter the river can dry up completely...
) (afrikaans
Afrikaans
Afrikaans is a West Germanic language, spoken natively in South Africa and Namibia. It is a daughter language of Dutch, originating in its 17th century dialects, collectively referred to as Cape Dutch .Afrikaans is a daughter language of Dutch; see , , , , , .Afrikaans was historically called Cape...
: Groot-Visrivier) is a river running 644 kilometres (400.2 mi) through the South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n province of the Eastern Cape
Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bhisho, but its two largest cities are Port Elizabeth and East London. It was formed in 1994 out of the "independent" Xhosa homelands of Transkei and Ciskei, together with the eastern portion of the Cape Province...
, it originates east of Graaff-Reinet and runs through Cradock
Cradock
-People:*Christopher Cradock , admiral in the Royal Navy.*Johnnie Cradock , British cook, writer, broadcaster and Army Major.*Fanny Cradock , British writer, restaurant critic and television cook....
, just south of this the Tarka River
Tarka River
The Tarka River is a river in South Africa. Along with the Baviaans River and Kat River it is a major eastern tributary of the Great Fish River.-References:...
joins it. Thence it makes a jig-jag turn to Cookhouse
Cookhouse
Cookhouse is a small town in Eastern Cape province, South Africa....
, from where it meanders before its final near-straight run to its estuary just north of Seafield
Seafield
Seafield may refer to one of several places in Scotland:* Seafield, Aberdeen, an electoral ward in the City of Aberdeen council region* Seafield, Ayr, a southern district of the Royal Burgh of Ayr in the South Ayrshire council region...
, into the Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
. The river generally runs (naturally) all year round, although its headwaters rise in an arid region, and the natural flow can be sluggish in the dry season beyond the ebb and flow of the tidal reaches; now, water from the Orange River system can be used to keep up its flow in dry periods. The river is tidal for approximately 20 km.
Climate
River mouth: The climate is temperate with around 650mm of rainfall that falls mainly during spring and autumn. Mean temperatures range from 12°C to 24°C with extremes as low as 2°C or as high as 40°C.Vegetation
River mouth: Valley thicket, dune thicket, riparian vegetation and fynbos. The Giant Eastern Cape Cycad and the White and Red Milkwood are protected trees found on the premises. Other significant species include the acacia, white pear, Karoo boer-bean, strelitzia, dune poison bush, wild plum, coral tree and small knobwood.Wildlife
The Fish River mouth area supports several species of large and small mammals including five antelope species, bushpigs, various rodent species including mongoose, hyrax, hares, rats and mice, bats, and the shy African Wild Cat, Small Spotted Genet, Striped Polecat and Cape porcupine. The most commonly viewed wild mammal is the Vervet Monkey, which has been known to grab food under the nose of unsuspecting guests at the Fish River Sun Resort.There are over 135 species of marine and terrestrial birds found along the river including the colourful Knysna Lourie and Giant Kingfisher and the majestic Fish Eagle.
There are 26 species of snakes, of which only five are venomous.
History
During the 19th century, the river formed the border of the Cape ColonyCape Colony
The Cape Colony, part of modern South Africa, was established by the Dutch East India Company in 1652, with the founding of Cape Town. It was subsequently occupied by the British in 1795 when the Netherlands were occupied by revolutionary France, so that the French revolutionaries could not take...
and was hotly contested during the Xhosa Wars
Xhosa wars
The Xhosa Wars, also known as the Cape Frontier Wars, were a series of nine wars between the Xhosa people and European settlers, from 1779 to 1879 in what is now the Eastern Cape in South Africa....
of 1779 to 1878 between the Xhosa nation on the one side and the Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
farmers and the 1820 Settlers
1820 Settlers
The 1820 Settlers were several groups or parties of white British colonists settled by the British government and the Cape authorities in the South African Eastern Cape in 1820....
from England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on the other, and in 1835, the Fingo
Fingo
Fingo may refer to:* The Fingo tribe of South Africa.* Fingo fever, a disease of Victorian Australia.* FinGO, a mobile communications company.* The 'hypotheses non fingo'....
tribe was permitted to settle on the river's banks. During apartheid, the lower reaches formed the western boundary of the nominally independent Ciskei
Ciskei
Ciskei was a Bantustan in the south east of South Africa. It covered an area of 2,970 square miles , almost entirely surrounded by what was then the Cape Province, and possessed a small coastline along the shore of the Indian Ocean....
homeland.
Between 1846 and 1847, the Fish River mouth area became a hive of activity during the War of the Axe, one of several frontier wars at the time between the Xhosa nation and the British colonists. A ferry was constructed at the Fish River to link the Cape Colony (western side of the river) with Waterloo Bay (the small bay near the mouth of Old Woman’s River which now flows through the Fish River Sun resort). Waterloo Bay, named after the first ship which unloaded cargo in the bay, served as a landing place for soldiers and supplies in the war. Several ships wrecked along the Fish Rover coast during these years.
The following are notable historical sites at the Fish River mouth, mostly encompassed within the Fish River Sun Resort premises which the establishment has endeavoured to protect:
Maitland Military Camp
The main military camp was on the eastern bank of the Old Woman’s River, called Cape Maitland, in honour of Sir Peregrine Maitland, Governor of the Cape Colony. The name was later changed to Fort Albert in honour of Queen Victoria’s husband. The camp consisted of huts and tents surrounded by an earthwork and was abandoned at the end of the war. The camp site was ‘rediscovered’ when large quantities of artifacts were unearthed during the construction of the Fish River Sun golf course.Broxholm Cottage
A certain Sergeant C. Broxholm is rumoured to have built the only structure that survived the war, located on the eastern side of the river. Built in 1846, he sold the building a year later to Mr. J Kidd of the Wesleyan Missionary Society who hoped to undertake missionary work at Waterloo Bay.Soldier’s Cemetery
Some of the soldiers that died during the occupation of Waterloo Bay were buried in a small cemetery near the eastern bank of the Old Woman’s River. The graves were not marked but it is believed that members of the 6th and 45th regiments and Cape Levy were buried there. A clearing among the dune scrub marks the site on the Fish River Sun Resort property.Civilian Camp
A large civilian camp with the accompanying trading stores and inns which followed the military activities was apparently situated on the western side of the Old Woman’s River. All historical remains are currently covered by the golf playing surface.Shipwrecks
The remains of the vessels Catherine and Justina can still be seen by divers. The ships were wrecked in the 1840s and are located within 1 km of the mouth of the Fish River.Orange River Project
In the 1970s, a major water project brought Orange River water, via the Fish River, for agricultural and industrial use. The tunnelOrange–Fish River Tunnel
The Orange–Fish River Tunnel is an 82.8 km irrigation tunnel in South Africa which diverts water from the Orange River under the Suurberg mountain plateau to the Great Fish River and the semi-arid areas of Eastern Cape province....
for this was a major engineering undertaking, with the intake at Oviston (an acronym, in Afrikaans, for Orange-Fish Tunnel). Oviston is on the shores of the Gariep Dam
Gariep Dam
Gariep Dam is a dam in South Africa, near the town of Norvalspont, Free State, province South Africa.-Overview:The Gariep Dam was originally called the Hendrik Verwoerd Dam after the first Prime Minister of the Republic of South Africa Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd on its commission in 1971...
.
A hydro-electric generating plant is placed at the Fish River egress, but is uneconomic and is not in use.
Mixing of waters from two watersheds has been environmentally disastrous - much of the Fish River ecosystem is now taken over by Orange River flora and fauna.
Recreation
- Despite its name, fishing that takes place along its (mainly lower) reaches is primarily recreational.
- Annually, the Fish River Canoe MarathonFish River Canoe MarathonThe Fish River Canoe Marathon is a two-day event taking place every October on South Africa's Fish River in the Eastern Cape Province over a distance of some 81km, from Grassridge Dam southward to Cradock. The two other notable South African canoe marathons are the Dusi Canoe Marathon and the Berg...
, a popular canoeing event takes place over two days from Grassridge Dam to CradockCradock, Eastern CapeCradock is a town in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, in the upper valley of the Great Fish River, by rail northeast of Port Elizabeth. The town is the administrative seat of the Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality in the Chris Hani District of the Eastern Cape. The estimated population...
. - Diving in the area of the River's mouth is quite an experience, thanks to the numerous shipwrecks which can be found: the SS Cariboo, the SS Kilbrennan and the Waterloo, to name a few.
Fish River Sun Hotel and Country Club Resort
The Fish River Sun Hotel and Country Club Resort is a Sun International resort destination at the mouth of the Fish River on the south-eastern coastline of South Africa.The Fish River Sun opened its doors in March 1989 as a hotel and casino. The 184 000 hectare property on the eastern banks of the Fish River fell within the then Ciskei region, a former Bantustan homeland during the apartheid administration. The hotel, casino and golf course continued to be a popular and successful tourism attraction in the region, mostly due to the casino as licenses are awarded sparingly in South Africa.
The resort establishment suffered a huge knock when its casino license was not extended after its ten-year period, ending in 1999. The accommodation format was converted from a hotel to a vacation club functioning on a timeshare basis. The Eastern Cape Gambling Board granted another casino license in nearby Port Elizabeth, also operated by Sun International, in the Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World Complex. As part of the license bid, the Boardwalk agreed to supplement the costs of maintaining the Fish River Sun as part of its obligation to rural development in the province.
Activities include swimming, guided nature walks, golf, dune boarding, canoeing, fishing, mini-golf, and even spa treatments.
Golf course The resort’s greatest attraction is its golf course, designed by Gary Player and rated in the top 30 golf courses in South Africa
. Although the course is situated adjacent to the beach, it is not classified as links. The course has hosted some large events including the Africa Open in 2008.
Towns
CradockCradock, Eastern Cape
Cradock is a town in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, in the upper valley of the Great Fish River, by rail northeast of Port Elizabeth. The town is the administrative seat of the Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality in the Chris Hani District of the Eastern Cape. The estimated population...
is a significant town through which the Fish River runs. The area between Port Elizabeth and the Fish River is known as the Sunshine Coast.
Great Fish Point
Great Fish Point is a lighthouseLighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
situated near the mouth of the Great Fish River, about 25 km from the coastal holiday resort of Port Alfred
Port Alfred
Port Alfred is a small town with a population of just under 20,000 in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is situated on the eastern seaboard of the country at the mouth of the Kowie River, almost exactly half-way between the larger cities of Port Elizabeth and East London and 30 km...
.
Before the lighthouse was built in 1898, two ship's lamps exhibiting fixed green lights were erected on a flagstaff at Port Alfred, but these lights later proved to be inadequate. The clockwork system which used to drive the lens is still intact and on display.
Although the lighthouse itself is only 9 meters high, it is situated 76 meters above sea level.