The Metropolis of Cape City has formally begun its modification and improve of Zeekoevlei within the False Bay Nature Reserve.
Situated on the Cape Flats, the Zeekoevlei part of the reserve is house to a serious freshwater lake. A weir, a small dam wall, is located at this lake.
The aim of the weir is to regulate the circulate of water within the lake and regulate the water degree. Moreover, it prevents the motion of marine and estuarine fish into and from the vleis.
CITY OF CAPE TOWN’S ZEEKOVLEI UPGRADE AND MODIFICATION
Per a press launch, a website camp at Zeekoevlei is at present being established by the undertaking contractor. Work will then formally start in Might 2026.
The Metropolis views the undertaking as a way to help their “medium-term interventions, amongst which is the present dredging of House Bay and Storm Bay to take away the nutrient-rich sediment in Zeekoevlei.”
“Additionally, by bettering the water degree administration and facilitating more practical flushing of vitamins and pollution, the general situation and functioning of the system may be improved, and water high quality enhanced,” they wrote.
PROJECT PLAN
The improve and modification undertaking will entail the next:
- Modifying the present Zeekoevlei weir. It will allow extra environment friendly and distant reducing of water ranges when wanted.
- Reducing of the channel apron to facilitate the drawdown, enlargement of the weir, new mechanical sluice gates, a gatehouse for upkeep and stabilisation utilizing gabions. When stuffed, Zeekoevlei is 5.18 metres above imply sea degree, and the present sluice gate permits a drawdown to 4.3 metres. Through the modification, it would lengthen the weir westwards with a brand new set of sluice gates, thereby reducing the potential drawdown degree to three.5 metres.
- Building of a fishway between the Zeekoevlei canal and the weirs, permitting fish to maneuver into Zeekoevlei from the channel. It can additionally make it potential for indigenous freshwater, estuarine and marine fish to enter the vlei.
- Building of a second fishway on the downstream bridge. This enables for entry from the decrease portion of the Zeekoe River previous the present sewer rising essential bridge construction that at present prevents fish motion.
COMPLETION DATE
If all goes in line with the timeline, the improve and modification are set to be accomplished by mid-2027.
All in all, this undertaking will go a good distance in enhancing the lake’s water high quality. Plus, it would allow deeper drawdown for improved flushing and selling fish range.
And for guests to Zeekoevlei, it would definitely provide a more healthy, extra vibrant ecosystem to get pleasure from.
