Kouga Dam - Serving the fertile Gamtoos valley

Abstract

Water History Situated between winter and summer rainfall areas the Gamtoos valley is known for its rich, fertile soils, its fresh water, and its subsequent agricultural bounty. The main river running through the valley is the Kouga River. Rising at Avontuur at a height of 1 500 m above sea level, the Kouga River flows through the Langkloof Valley, lying between the Tsitsikamma, Kouga and Winterhoek mountains. After joining up with its tributary, the Baviaanskloof River, it flows through a narrow gorge, the Kougapoort, to its confluence with the Groot River. After the confluence, the name of the river changes to Gamtoos. The valley was originally populated by Khoisan communities. Trekboers first settled in the Gamtoos valley with their livestock in the era of Dutch occupation, and by 1770 the Gamtoos River was declared the eastern boundary of the Cape settlement. This remained so until 1804 when the area became part of the newly proclaimed Uitenhage district. Between 1816 and 1818 the first farms of around 1 713 ha each were officially handed over to European farmers.

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