# Breede River > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Breede_River > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Breede_River.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breede_River > Source revision: 1340543454 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|River in South Africa}} {{Use South African English|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox river | name = Breede | native_name = | native_name_lang = | name_other = Breë | name_etymology = [Dutch](/source/Dutch_language) for "wide" or "broad". | image = Breede River.jpg | image_size = | image_caption = The Breede River about 5km inland from its mouth. | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 7 | mapframe-wikidata = yes | map_size = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = South Africa | pushpin_map_size = | pushpin_map_caption = Location of the Breede River mouth | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = [South Africa](/source/South_Africa) | subdivision_type2 = | subdivision_name2 = | subdivision_type3 = Region | subdivision_name3 = [Western Cape Province](/source/Western_Cape_Province) | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = | subdivision_type5 = | subdivision_name5 = | length = {{convert|337|km|mi|abbr=on}} | width_min = | width_avg = | width_max = | depth_min = | depth_avg = | depth_max = | discharge1_location = | discharge1_min = | discharge1_avg = | discharge1_max = | source1 = North of the [Swartberg](/source/Swartberg) | source1_location = | source1_coordinates = | source1_elevation = | mouth = [Witsand](/source/Witsand) | mouth_location = [Indian Ocean](/source/Indian_Ocean) | mouth_coordinates = {{coord|34|24|S|20|50|E|display=inline,title}} | mouth_elevation = | progression = | river_system = | basin_size = {{convert|12384|km2|abbr=on}} | tributaries_left = | tributaries_right = | custom_label = | custom_data = | extra = }} The '''Breede River''' ({{langx|af|Breederivier}}), also known as '''Breë River''', is a river in the [Western Cape Province](/source/Western_Cape_Province) of [South Africa](/source/South_Africa). Travelling inland north from the city of [Cape Town](/source/Cape_Town), the river runs in a west to east direction. The surrounding western mountains formed the first continental divide experienced by [Europe](/source/Europe)an [settlers](/source/settlers) in the 18th century. The Witels River and [Dwars River](/source/Dwarsrivier) become the Breë River. ==Sources== The first [catchment area](/source/Drainage_basin) of the river is in the Skurweberg mountain range close to [Ceres](/source/Ceres%2C_South_Africa). The head waters then runs through the modern day [Michell's Pass](/source/Michell's_Pass) before plaining out on its middle course in the [Worcester](/source/Worcester%2C_South_Africa) area.{{Cite web|url=https://www.places.co.za/html/breedevalley.html|title=Breede River Valley|website=www.places.co.za}} The river mouth is in an [estuary](/source/estuary) at [Witsand](/source/Witsand) on the [Indian Ocean](/source/Indian_Ocean).[http://www.environment.gov.za/soer/estuary/catch/bree.html Bree - estuary] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061008000217/http://www.environment.gov.za/soer/estuary/catch/bree.html |date=October 8, 2006 }} ==Tributaries== On its course through the [Breede River Valley](/source/Breede_River_Valley), it is joined by the Holsloot and Smalblaar Rivers, from their catchment areas, the [Du Toitskloof](/source/Du_Toitskloof) and Stettyn mountain ranges. The Hex River with its catchment area in the [Hex River Mountains](/source/Hex_River_Mountains) also joins the Breede River from the north-east. Further downstream the Slang River and [Buffeljags River](/source/Buffeljags_River) drain the southern slopes of the Langeberg mountains before depositing their water in the Breede River. Near [Swellendam](/source/Swellendam) the river is joined by the Riviersonderend, with its catchment area in the mountains surrounding the Theewaterskloof Dam near [Villiersdorp](/source/Villiersdorp). == Dams on the river == 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](/source/Brandvlei_Dam) and the [Kwaggaskloof Dam](/source/Kwaggaskloof_Dam){{Clarify|date=May 2010}}. In the catchment area are a few more dams: * [Stettynskloof Dam](/source/Stettynskloof_Dam) on the Holsloot River tributary of the Breede River. * Zwiegelaars Dam * [Theewaterskloof Dam](/source/Theewaterskloof_Dam) both on the [Riviersonderend River](/source/Riviersonderend_River) * [Elandskloof Dam](/source/Elandskloof_Dam) on the [Elands River](/source/Elands_River_(Western_Cape)) a tributary of the [Riviersonderend River](/source/Riviersonderend_River). * Moordkuil Dam on the Hooks River a tributary of the Breede River. * [Keerom Dam](/source/Keerom_Dam) on the Nuy River a tributary of the Breede River. * [Klipberg Dam](/source/Klipberg_Dam) on the Konings River itself a tributary of the Keisers River, a tributary of the Breede River. * [Pietersfontein Dam](/source/Pietersfontein_Dam) on the Pietersfontein River a tributary of the [Kogmanskloof River](/source/Kogmanskloof_River), again a tributary of the Breede River. * [Poortjieskloof Dam](/source/Poortjieskloof_Dam) on the [Groot River](/source/Groot_River_(Western_Cape)) also flowing into the Kogmanskloof River * [Buffeljags Dam](/source/Buffeljags_Dam) on the [Buffeljags River](/source/Buffeljags_River) a tributary of the Breede River. ==Activities== {{See also|Breede River Canoe Marathon}} 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](/source/Swellendam) in two-man blow-up boats. The river is navigable for about 28 km, from the mouth at [Witsand](/source/Witsand). == Ecology == Frequently, [bull shark](/source/bull_shark)s enter the estuary and dwell in the waters of the Breede River, having been recorded as much as 5 km upriver.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wavescape.co.za/environment/sharks/bizarre-bull-shark-record.html|title=Bizarre Bull Shark Record|first=Spike at|last=Wavescape|website=www.wavescape.co.za}} These sharks were featured on the second season of the series [River Monsters](/source/River_Monsters). As [Jeremy Wade](/source/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.{{cite episode |title=Hidden Predator |series=River Monsters | network=[Animal Planet](/source/Animal_Planet) |date=30 May 2010}} == Gallery == Image:Alvi's Drift low-water bridge across the Breede River.jpg|Alvi's Drift low-water bridge across the Breede River Image:Breede River PA020053.JPG|Breede from Bontebok Park Image:Handbetriebene Fähre P1020854.JPG|[Cable ferry](/source/Cable_ferry) at Malgas Image:PA020092 Breede River vor Langeberg Mountains.JPG|Breede with [Langeberg](/source/Langeberg) backdrop == See also == *[List of rivers of South Africa](/source/List_of_rivers_of_South_Africa) * [Skurweberg Pass](/source/Skurweberg_Pass) ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.sa-venues.com/attractionswc/breederiver-attractions.htm Breede River Valley, Western Cape] Category:Rivers of the Western Cape --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Breede River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breede_River) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breede_River?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.