Kat River

BW

The Kat River ( Afrikaans: Katrivier ) is a river in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province.

River

The 150- kilometer Kat River begins at Katrivier Dam in Seymour. Several tributary rivers, including the Elands River, which originates at Elandsberg, leading to the reservoir. A little downstream ends of Fairbairn's River in the Kat River. It rises on Katberg belonging to the winter mountains. The Kat River flows in large turns southward, passing through the towns Blinkwater and Fort Beaufort and empties into the Great Fish River.

Today's meaning

The water of the Kat River is used for irrigation of citrus orchards in the Kat River Valley, as well as for drinking water supply of cities Seymour and Fort Beaufort.

History

1829 settled the authorities of the Cape Colony at around 250 Khoikhoi and Coloureds in the valley of Kat River, so as to establish a buffer zone to the Xhosa. The Settlers of Kai River Settlement operated there agriculture, supported by missionaries, and therefore were no longer the Boers as cheap labor. After a part of them fought in the mid-19th century border wars against the Cape Colony, they lost their possessions. The remaining settlers were expelled in 1900 due to excessive loans and eventually in the establishment of the homelands Ciskei in 1961.

1969 Katrivier Dam was built at Seymour. The dam consists of four arches and is around 50 meters high.