Touws River (river) explained

Touws River
Name Other:Touwsrivier
Pushpin Map:South Africa
Subdivision Type1:Country
Subdivision Name1:South Africa
Subdivision Type2:Province
Subdivision Name2:Western Cape
Subdivision Type5:City
Subdivision Name5:Touws River (town)
Source1:Matroosberg
Source1 Location:Hex River Mountains
Source1 Coordinates:-33.35°N 57°W
Source1 Elevation:1300m (4,300feet)
Mouth:Groot River
Mouth Coordinates:-33.7367°N 21.1819°W
Mouth Elevation:239m (784feet)

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]

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.

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 .

Flowing in a southeastern direction, it flows past Touws River town, meeting the right bank of the Groot River after briefly turning southwards.[4] 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

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Palm . Kaylynn . '115 years of life of Margaret'- Zulu lauds milestone birthday of WCape elder . 2022-09-27 . ewn.co.za . en.
  2. Web site: Daniels . Nicola . Margaret Maritz turns 115, making her the oldest living person in Western Cape . 2022-09-27 . www.iol.co.za . en.
  3. Web site: 28 September 2021 . 115th Birthday WCape's oldest resident celebrated . 2022-09-27 . www.enca.com . en.
  4. http://www.dwaf.gov.za/iwqs/rhp/eco/FROC/WMA16Gouritz.jpg Gouritz WMA 16