{{About|the tributary of the Vaal River|the river of the Olifants River (Lepelle) system|Wilge River (Olifants)}} {{Use South African English|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox river | name = Wilge River | native_name = | native_name_lang = | name_other = | name_etymology = From ''wilg'', the word for 'willow' in Afrikaans<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/DictionaryOfSouthernAfricanPlaceNames/SaPlaceNames_djvu.txt Dictionary of Southern African Place Names]</ref> <!---------------------- IMAGE & MAP --> | image = Wilgerivier, Harrismith, stroomop.jpg | image_size = | image_caption = The river near Harrismith | map = | map_size = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = South Africa | pushpin_map_size = | pushpin_map_caption= Location of the Wilge River mouth <!---------------------- LOCATION --> | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = South Africa | subdivision_type2 = | subdivision_name2 = | subdivision_type3 = Region | subdivision_name3 = Free State | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = | subdivision_type5 = | subdivision_name5 = <!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS --> | length = | width_min = | width_avg = | width_max = | depth_min = | depth_avg = | depth_max = | discharge1_location= | discharge1_min = | discharge1_avg = | discharge1_max = <!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES --> | source1 = | source1_location = Drakensberg | source1_coordinates= | source1_elevation = {{convert|2040|m|abbr=on}} | mouth = Vaal River | mouth_location = Vaal Dam | mouth_coordinates = {{coord|27|8|30|S|28|23|6|E|display=inline,title}} | mouth_elevation = {{convert|1499|m|abbr=on}} | progression = | river_system = | basin_size = | tributaries_left = Nuwejaarspruit, Elands River (Wilge){{!}}Elands River, Liebenbergsvlei | tributaries_right = Meul River, Cornelis River | custom_label = | custom_data = | extra = }} The '''Wilge River''' ({{langx|af|Wilgerivier}}, meaning "willow river") is a tributary of the Vaal River in central South Africa. This river is important as part of the Tugela-Vaal Water Transfer Scheme where water is transferred from the Tugela River basin to the Vaal River basin.<ref>[http://www.dwaf.gov.za/thukela/Background.htm Tugela-Vaal Water Project]</ref>

The largemouth yellowfish is present in the waters of the Wilge River, reaching quite a large size.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.presentafly.com/blog/9-5kg-giant-largemouth-yellowfish-caught-in-the-wilge-river-with-a-5wt-fly-rod |title=9.5kg Giant Largemouth Yellowfish caught in the Wilge River with a 5wt fly rod |access-date=2012-04-07 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224209/http://www.presentafly.com/blog/9-5kg-giant-largemouth-yellowfish-caught-in-the-wilge-river-with-a-5wt-fly-rod |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Course== Its sources are about 50&nbsp;km northeast of Harrismith, at the border with KwaZulu-Natal. In its upper course the river flows roughly southwestwards from its source, then westwards while bending northwards towards Harrismith, skirting the southern end of the Platberg where there is the confluence with the Nuwejaarspruit from the left.

Further north the Elands River joins its left bank. Then the Meul River and the Cornelis River join its right bank. It continues flowing in a NNW direction, being joined by the Liebenbergsvlei River from the left, while passing near Frankfort and flowing northwestwards until it finally meets the Vaal at the Vaal Dam further downstream.<ref>[http://www.dwaf.gov.za/iwqs/rhp/eco/FROC/WMA8UpperVaal.jpg Upper Vaal WMA 8]</ref>

==Dams in its basin== *Sterkfontein Dam and the Driekloof Dam, in the Nuwejaarspruit - The Sterkfontein is the third largest dam in South Africa. Practically all the water it contains is pumped up the escarpment from KwaZulu-Natal. Built before the Lesotho Highlands Water Project was developed, this was a vital source of water for Gauteng. *Fika-Patso Dam, in the Namahadi River (Elands)

==Gallery== <gallery mode=packed heights=165> file:11 of 'History of the Boers in South Africa ... with three maps' (11191958004), crop2.jpg|The Wilge River and its tributaries on a map of 1887 file:The Second Boer War, 1899-1902 Q72297.jpg|A horse train fording the river during the Second Boer War </gallery>

== See also == * Drakensberg Pumped Storage Scheme * List of rivers in South Africa

== References == <references/>

==External links== {{commons category|Wilge River}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20071025125021/http://www.environment.gov.za/soer/reports/rivers/free%20state/Free%20State.pdf Free State Region River Systems] *[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/951618 The Tugela-Vaal state water scheme as a bilharzia risk]

Category:Vaal River Category:Rivers of the Free State (province)