The False Bay Nature Reserve’s Protected Area Advisory Committee recently endorsed a decision by Nature Conservation not to conduct a draw down in 2018. This is due to the ongoing drought a low ground water levels being experienced. So no draw down for Zeekoevlei in 2018.
Rondevlei – 21 March 2018.
Low summer water levels in Rondevlei mean lots of wading waterbirds.
First time in 21 years! The waders are lovin it.
Hello,
What is a draw down and why the announcement?
Regards,
Keegan.
The drawdown is when, usually every year, we open the Zeekoevlei Weir and let the water out. It is usually done on the 27th April and the weir is left open for between 2 and 4 months. It is done in order to flush the vlei (which would not have had a dam wall when it was a seasonal wetland) and to allow cleaning and sunbaking of the sand and mud. It is also done to mimic the natural cycle of high and low water.
We announce it because residents on the edge of the water use this time to maintain the reed beds in front of their homes and they will not have the same opportunity this year.
Hi Keegan
Richard summed it up well. Next year on the 27th April if you see the water dissapear from Zeekoevlei you will know there has been a draw down.
Hi Keegan
Richard summed it up well. Next year on the 27th April if you see the water dissapear from Zeekoevlei you will know there has been a draw down.