Touws River (river)

The Touws River (Afrikaans: Touwsrivier) is a river in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is a tributary of the Groot River, part of the Gourits River basin. A notable resident of the town is Margaret Maritz (born 27 September 1906) who, as of 2022, aged 116, was regarded as one of the oldest people in South Africa.[1][2][3]

Touws River
Touwsrivier
Touws River (river) is located in South Africa
Touws River (river)
Location
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceWestern Cape
CityTouws River (town)
Physical characteristics
SourceMatroosberg
 • locationHex River Mountains
 • coordinates33°21′S 19°38′E
 • elevation1,300 m (4,300 ft)
MouthGroot River
 • coordinates
33°44′12″S 21°10′55″E
 • elevation
239 m (784 ft)

Name

The name "Touws" originates from a Khoi word for ash, which also referred to the local "Ash-bushes" (Salsola aphylla). It is uncertain whether the name originally referred to the bushes, or to the colour of the river (historically, the Touws river was occasionally known as the "Ash river").

It also gave its name to the town of Touws River, which lies on the upper reaches of this river.[4]

Course

It sources are in the Matroosberg, Hex River Mountains, near the town of De Doorns. In its upper course it is known as the Smalblaar and the Donkies.

Flowing in a southeastern direction, it flows past Touws River town, meeting the right bank of the Groot River after briefly turning southwards.[5] Its tributaries include the Brand, Kalee, Brak, Slang and the Kruis; all are minor rivers.

The Touws is part of the Gouritz Water Management Area and falls within the Drainage system J.

Dams
  • Verkeerdevlei Dam (capacity 5,500,000 cubic metres (190,000,000 cu ft))

See also

References
  1. Palm, Kaylynn. "'115 years of life of Margaret'- Zulu lauds milestone birthday of WCape elder". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 2022-09-27.
  2. Daniels, Nicola. "Margaret Maritz turns 115, making her the oldest living person in Western Cape". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 2022-09-27.
  3. "115th Birthday | WCape's oldest resident celebrated". www.enca.com. 28 September 2021. Retrieved 2022-09-27.
  4. Etymology of Touws river[Usurped!]
  5. Gouritz WMA 16
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