coaltech upper olifants river catchment wetland inventory ...

During an assessment of the Rietspuit at the Kriel Colliery (3) Chutter and Engelbrecht
(1997) concluded that the invertebrate and fish habitat diversity in the Rietspruit varies from
poor to intermediate. No further indication of wetland status is given.
Pans in the Kriel area (3) investigated by Loxton, Venn and Associates (1998) are mostly of
average to moderate health, with one of the pans in good health.
The ecological integrity index of the Olifants River between Witbank and the Loskop dam (4)
was determined during an honours thesis (Munday and Wepener 2004). The SASS scores
indicated a fair to excellent condition. The average score per taxon (ASPT) indicated good
condition and the habitat quality was fair (Munday and Wepener 2004).
The wetlands at the Kleinkopje Colliery close to Witbank (5), although not in pristine
condition, are in a fairly good condition (de Frey and Robbeson 1999). This conclusion was
based on the vegetation present at the site. Niehaus et al (1999) however, was concerned
about the status of the wetland and the water quality, based on the aquatic vertebrates and
macro invertebrates present at the site. He suggested that biomonitoring should take place
to identify the impacts at the wetland. It was also suggested that a toxicity test be conducted.
No further work was conducted on this system.
In an ecological study conducted on Portions 32 and 72 of the Farm Klipfontein 498 JR (6)
various wetlands were identified and the species composition of the wetlands noted. A very
small peatland was also identified at one of the hillslope seeps. The wetlands were in a good
condition overall, with the only impacts on the wetlands occurring due to the construction of
two dams and a road crossing the wetland. Some grazing is also taking place in the wetlands
(Exigent Engineering Consultants 2006).
During an assessment of two dams at Oxbow Country Estates (7) it was determined that the
wetland on this property has been disturbed by various activities in the past and is in need of
rehabilitation. A rehabilitation plan was compiled for a portion of the wetland recently
disturbed (Exigent Engineering Consultants 2005).
Wetland Database for UORC - 66 -