Struben Dam Bird Sanctuary Explained

Struben Dam Bird Sanctuary
Relief:1
Location:Gauteng, South Africa
Nearest City:Pretoria
Coordinates:-25.7768°N 28.2789°W
Governing Body:City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality
Url:Struben Dam Bird Sanctuary

The Struben Dam Bird Sanctuary is located in Lynnwood Glen, Pretoria, in part of what was once the farm Hartebeestpoort 362 JR,[1] which was owned by F.E.B. Struben.[2]

Struben Dam

The dam was built in the Waterkloof Spruit and contains 108,000 m³. The dam wall is around 6 m high.[3]

The precise age of the original dam is unknown, but the dam is estimated to have been built from the 1940s to the 1960s. Maps from 1929 don't show the dam.[4]

The dam wall was upgraded in September 1984, and since 1985 it has been used for flood control as well.

Fauna

Bird life is abundant, and a wide variety of fish swim in the reservoir, including banded tilapia, African sharptooth catfish, Canary kurper, carp, and Micropterus.

Flora

The biome near Struben Dam is bakenveld, a transitional habitat between grassland and bushveld. There are also marsh and shoreline areas under the dam wall. River bushwillow, sweet thorn, hook-thorn, and white stinkwood are the main trees found in the reserve.

Amenities

The reserve is ideal for walking, birdwatching, and picnics. There are bathrooms and large lawns on which to relax. The dam is used for fishing. No campfires are allowed.

Hours

Summer (September - April): 06:00 - 18:00

Winter (May - August): 06:00 - 18:00

See also

Notes and References

  1. van Vollenhoven . Dr. A.C. (L.Akad. SA) . Cultural Heritage Management Plan for the Struben Dam Bird Sanctuary, City of Tshwane, 6. DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA . Archaetnos . April 2010 . 25 June 2014.
  2. Web site: Development and Management Plan for the Lynnwood Road - Brookside Road Section of the Moreletaspruit, For the years 2004 to 2008, 3.2.1 Flora, Compiled November 2003 . Friends of Moreletaspruit . 25 June 2014.
  3. Web site: List of Registered Dams Jan 2014" . www.dwaf.gov.za . 25 June 2014.
  4. van Vollenhoven . Dr. A.C. (L.Akad. SA) . Cultural Heritage Management Plan for the Struben Dam Bird Sanctuary, City of Tshwane, 7.4.1 Site 1 . Archaetnos . April 2010 . 25 June 2014.