The As River is a tributary of the Liebenbergsvlei River in the eastern Free State, South Africa. Since 1968 it is impounded by the Sol Plaatje Dam (formerly: Saulspoort Dam) at its confluence with the latter river, just east of Bethlehem. Its origin is some 35 km southeast of Bethlehem, on the northern slopes of the Rooiberge, near Clarens. With the opening of the northern delivery tunnel of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project in 1998, the once tiny stream was transformed to a strong-flowing river.[1]
The As River is one of the discharge points for the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.[2] As of 2004, 18 cubic meters of water was released per second,[1] and the river's flow is consequently not seasonally variable.[3]
The Stortemelk Dam, situated downstream of the outfall, was one measure taken by the then Department of Water Affairs, to stabilize water flow and limit erosion.[3] By 2004, four weirs had been built.[1]
Power generationedit
Two privately owned hydro powered power plants, the Sol Plaatje and Merino, were commissioned in 2009 and 2012 respectively, and supply a total of 7 MW to the power grid.[4] The automated and low maintenance Stortemelk Hydropower Project at the Botterkloof Dam is set to contribute a further 4.4 MW to the power grid, starting July 2016.[3][5]
Ecological impactedit
The opening of the northern delivery tunnel in 1998 caused physical and chemical changes to the river, as water volumes increased and water temperature decreased, scouring of the river channel occurred, and much silt was deposited in Saulspoort Dam.[1] Populations of key indicator species like smallmouth and largemouth yellowfish decreased, and seven of the river's nine fish species disappeared from the outfall's vicinity. Recovery of invertebrates was only noticeable some kilometers downstream, and the weirs proved ineffective when water is released in high volumes. Though much habitat is still available, the river's population by aquatic organisms is limited by water turbidity, low water temperature and its erosion potential.[1]
Etymologyedit
The name is often mistranslated from Afrikaans to English as "Ash River". The name, however, refers to a wagon axle which, according to legend, broke near the river (the Afrikaans word for an axle being “as”); therefore a correct translation would be "Axle River", and not “Ash River".
^ abcdeVan Wyk, Francois; du Preez, Hein (2004). (PDF). WISA 2004 biennial conference and exhibition of the Water Institute of Southern Africa: Water Institute of Southern Africa. pp. 304–208. ISBN1-920-01728-3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
^. The Highlands Journey - Lesotho. golesotho.co.za. Archived from the original on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
^ abcWilkins, Blake (February 2015). . Brooke Pattrick Publications. pp. 20–21. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
^. Bethlehem Hydro. Archived from the original on 20 October 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
^"Stortemelk Hydropower Project, South Africa". Aurecon Projects. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
April 14, 2024
river, confused, with, kampung, river, tributary, liebenbergsvlei, river, eastern, free, state, south, africa, since, 1968, impounded, plaatje, formerly, saulspoort, confluence, with, latter, river, just, east, bethlehem, origin, some, southeast, bethlehem, no. Not to be confused with Kampung River The As River is a tributary of the Liebenbergsvlei River in the eastern Free State South Africa Since 1968 it is impounded by the Sol Plaatje Dam formerly Saulspoort Dam at its confluence with the latter river just east of Bethlehem Its origin is some 35 km southeast of Bethlehem on the northern slopes of the Rooiberge near Clarens With the opening of the northern delivery tunnel of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project in 1998 the once tiny stream was transformed to a strong flowing river 1 As RiverLocationCountrySouth AfricaProvinceFree StatePhysical characteristicsSource coordinates28 30 38 S 28 21 47 E 28 51056 S 28 36306 E 28 51056 28 36306 elevation2 160 m 7 090 ft Mouth coordinates28 16 36 S 28 22 22 E 28 27667 S 28 37278 E 28 27667 28 37278 elevation1 630 m 5 350 ft Length50 km 31 mi Discharge average18 m3 s 640 cu ft s Contents 1 Water delivery 2 Power generation 3 Ecological impact 4 Etymology 5 See also 6 ReferencesWater delivery edit nbsp The As River Outfall of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project situated 9 km north of Clarens was opened in 1998 The As River is one of the discharge points for the Lesotho Highlands Water Project 2 As of 2004 18 cubic meters of water was released per second 1 and the river s flow is consequently not seasonally variable 3 The Stortemelk Dam situated downstream of the outfall was one measure taken by the then Department of Water Affairs to stabilize water flow and limit erosion 3 By 2004 four weirs had been built 1 Power generation editTwo privately owned hydro powered power plants the Sol Plaatje and Merino were commissioned in 2009 and 2012 respectively and supply a total of 7 MW to the power grid 4 The automated and low maintenance Stortemelk Hydropower Project at the Botterkloof Dam is set to contribute a further 4 4 MW to the power grid starting July 2016 3 5 Ecological impact editThe opening of the northern delivery tunnel in 1998 caused physical and chemical changes to the river as water volumes increased and water temperature decreased scouring of the river channel occurred and much silt was deposited in Saulspoort Dam 1 Populations of key indicator species like smallmouth and largemouth yellowfish decreased and seven of the river s nine fish species disappeared from the outfall s vicinity Recovery of invertebrates was only noticeable some kilometers downstream and the weirs proved ineffective when water is released in high volumes Though much habitat is still available the river s population by aquatic organisms is limited by water turbidity low water temperature and its erosion potential 1 Etymology editThe name is often mistranslated from Afrikaans to English as Ash River The name however refers to a wagon axle which according to legend broke near the river the Afrikaans word for an axle being as therefore a correct translation would be Axle River and not Ash River See also edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to As River List of rivers of South Africa List of reservoirs and dams in South AfricaReferences edit a b c d e Van Wyk Francois du Preez Hein 2004 The environmental impact of releases from Katse Dam on the Ash and Liebenbergsvlei Rivers PDF WISA 2004 biennial conference and exhibition of the Water Institute of Southern Africa Water Institute of Southern Africa pp 304 208 ISBN 1 920 01728 3 Archived from the original PDF on 24 September 2015 Retrieved 23 August 2015 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint location link The story of Katse dam The Highlands Journey Lesotho golesotho co za Archived from the original on 15 February 2015 Retrieved 23 August 2015 a b c Wilkins Blake February 2015 Unique contract does it for hydro delivery Brooke Pattrick Publications pp 20 21 Archived from the original on 10 May 2017 Retrieved 21 August 2015 Introduction Bethlehem Hydro Archived from the original on 20 October 2015 Retrieved 21 August 2015 Stortemelk Hydropower Project South Africa Aurecon Projects Retrieved 21 August 2015 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title As River amp oldid 1119357762, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
