| Breede | |
| Name Other: | Breë |
| Name Etymology: | Dutch for "wide" or "broad". |
| Pushpin Map: | South Africa |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of the Breede River mouth |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | South Africa |
| Subdivision Type3: | Region |
| Subdivision Name3: | Western Cape Province |
| Length: | 337km (209miles) |
| Source1: | North of the Swartberg |
| Mouth: | Witsand |
| Mouth Location: | Indian Ocean |
| Mouth Coordinates: | -34.4°N 70°W |
| Basin Size: | 12384km2 |
The Breede River (Afrikaans: Breederivier), also known as Breë River, is a river in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Travelling inland north from the city of Cape Town, the river runs in a west to east direction. The surrounding western mountains formed the first continental divide experienced by European settlers in the 18th century. The Titus River and Dwars River become the Breë River.
The first catchment area of the river is in the Skurweberg mountain range close to Ceres. The head waters then runs through the modern day Mitchells Pass before plaining out on its middle course in the Worcester area.[1] The river mouth is in an estuary at Port Beaufort on the Indian Ocean.[2]
On its course through the Breede River Valley, it is joined by the Holsloot and Smalblaar Rivers, from their catchment areas, the Du Toitskloof and Stettyn mountain ranges. The Hex River with its catchment area in the Hex River Mountains also joins the Breede River from the north-east. Further downstream the Slang River and Buffeljags River drain the southern slopes of the Langeberg mountains before depositing their water in the Breede River. Near Swellendam the river is joined by the Riviersonderend, with its catchment area in the mountains surrounding the Theewaterskloof Dam near Villiersdorp.
The Greater Brandvlei Dam, completed in 1936 and fully extended by 1987, provides water to various irrigation schemes throughout the agricultural sector of the region. (also known as the Brandvlei Dam and the Kwaggaskloof Dam. In the catchment area are a few more dams:
The Breede River is a popular location for river rafting tours. The gently flowing water and the absence of crocodiles, hippos and mosquitoes make this a popular weekend destination. Several tour operators launch about 20 km south of Swellendam in two-man blow-up boats. The river is navigable for about 28 km, from the mouth at Witsand.
Frequently, bull sharks enter the estuary and dwell in the waters of the Breede River, having been recorded as much as 5 km upriver.[3] These sharks were featured on the second season of the series River Monsters. As Jeremy Wade's investigations indicate, the bull sharks of the Breede River are larger than average due to their unique habit of stealing fishermen's catches, allowing them to feed and gain weight without expending much energy. This and the healthy nature of the river's ecosystem in turn has led to a record of very few to no shark attacks on humans in the area.[4]