Salmonsdam Nature Reserve
Encyclopedia
Salmonsdam Nature Reserve is a nature reserve
in the Overberg
region of the Western Cape
province of South Africa
. It contains the mountain catchment area of the Paardensberg River in the Akkedisberg mountains. The reserve is administered by CapeNature
and covers an area of 834 hectares (2,060.9 acre).
, which sank at Gansbaai in 1852. The area was declared a nature reserve by the Cape Provincial Administration in 1962.
20 kilometres east of Stanford
and about 150 km south-east of Cape Town
. It encompasses the valley of the Paardensberg River and the surrounding mountain catchment area. The river flows from north-east to south-west, starting in a gorge called Keeromskloof and spreading out lower down into a marsh
y area known as "Die Weivlakte". Various smaller tributaries join the river; notably the Watervalkloof stream which passes over a series of small waterfall
s called the "Zigzag Falls". On the eastern side of Keeromskloof can be found the Elandskrans Caves and Leopard Cave.
The highest point in the park is the base of the radio mast at its northeastern corner, at a height of 637 metres above sea level. The Perdeberg peak on the northern edge of the park is one metre lower.
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
in the Overberg
Overberg
Overberg is a district in South Africa to the east of Cape Town beyond the Hottentots-Holland mountains. It lies along the Cape Province's south coast between the Cape Peninsula and the region known as the Garden Route in the east...
region of the Western Cape
Western Cape
The Western Cape is a province in the south west of South Africa. The capital is Cape Town. Prior to 1994, the region that now forms the Western Cape was part of the much larger Cape Province...
province of 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...
. It contains the mountain catchment area of the Paardensberg River in the Akkedisberg mountains. The reserve is administered by CapeNature
CapeNature
CapeNature is a governmental organisation responsible for maintaining wilderness areas and public nature reserves in Western Cape Province, South Africa.-West Coast:*Cederberg Wilderness Area...
and covers an area of 834 hectares (2,060.9 acre).
History
Local tradition claims that Salmonsdam was named for Robert Salmond, captain of the HMS BirkenheadHMS Birkenhead (1845)
HMS Birkenhead, also referred to as HM Troopship Birkenhead or steam frigate Birkenhead, was one of the first iron-hulled ships built for the Royal Navy...
, which sank at Gansbaai in 1852. The area was declared a nature reserve by the Cape Provincial Administration in 1962.
Geography
Salmonsdam is located in the Overstrand municipal areaOverstrand Local Municipality
Overstrand Municipality is a local municipality located within the Overberg District Municipality, in the Western Cape province of South Africa. As of 2007, it had a population of 74,547.-Government:...
20 kilometres east of Stanford
Stanford, Western Cape
Stanford, Western Cape is a settlement in Overberg District Municipality in the Western Cape province of South Africa....
and about 150 km south-east of Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
. It encompasses the valley of the Paardensberg River and the surrounding mountain catchment area. The river flows from north-east to south-west, starting in a gorge called Keeromskloof and spreading out lower down into a marsh
Marsh
In geography, a marsh, or morass, is a type of wetland that is subject to frequent or continuous flood. Typically the water is shallow and features grasses, rushes, reeds, typhas, sedges, other herbaceous plants, and moss....
y area known as "Die Weivlakte". Various smaller tributaries join the river; notably the Watervalkloof stream which passes over a series of small waterfall
Waterfall
A waterfall is a place where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or a cliff.-Formation:Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens...
s called the "Zigzag Falls". On the eastern side of Keeromskloof can be found the Elandskrans Caves and Leopard Cave.
The highest point in the park is the base of the radio mast at its northeastern corner, at a height of 637 metres above sea level. The Perdeberg peak on the northern edge of the park is one metre lower.