Tarka River

The Tarka River is a river in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Along with the Baviaans River, Grootbrak River and Kat River it is a major eastern tributary of the Great Fish River.[2] The Lake Arthur Dam and the Kommandodrif Dam are located in this river. The latter is included in the Commando Drift Nature Reserve.

Tarka River
Umncumuba
Tarka River is located in South Africa
Tarka River
Confluence of the Tarka and Great Fish Rivers
EtymologyTarka probably meaning 'place of many women' in the Khoekhoe language. The Xhosa name Umncumuba means 'willow tree'[1]
Location
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceEastern Cape
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationBamboesberg
MouthGreat Fish River
 • location
Confluence
 • coordinates
32°18′53″S 25°43′30″E
 • elevation
815 m (2,674 ft)

The Tarka river is part of the Fish to Tsitsikama Water Management Area.[3]

History

The possible origin of the name comes from the Khoekhoe language with words such as taras or tra, meaning 'woman' or 'the maidens river'.[4]

Course

From its source, it flows eastwards through Willowmore, then south through the Toorwaterpoort in the Anysberg and then joins up with Olifants River.[4]

Source

The river has its source at 900 metres in Swartberg mountain range.[4]

Watershed

It has a catchment area of around 2000sqkm with rainfall between 120 and 250mm.[4]

References
  1. P E Raper - HSRC. Dictionary of Southern African Place Names.
  2. Transactions of the Geological Society of London. Geological Society of London. 1856. p. 57. Retrieved 11 January 2010. tarka river.
  3. Fish to Tsitsikama WMA 15
  4. Standard encyclopaedia of Southern Africa / 10 Sle - Tun. Internet Archive. Cape Town: Nasou. 1974. p. 561. ISBN 978-0-625-00326-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)


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