Zeekoevlei / Rondevlei Rehabilitation Study ... - Southern Waters

Southern Waters Ecological Research and Consulting
vlei contains a large accumulation of nutrient rich sediments spread over much of the floor of
the vlei. Unless this nutrient source is effectively managed, Princess Vlei will continue to
generate nutrients that flow to Rondevlei. Given the linkage of the Princess Vlei catchment to
Rondevlei, it would be beneficial to link the catchment management resources for these two
vleis.
In addition, an assessment needs to be made as to whether catchment-based Best Management
Practices within the Rondevlei catchment area are likely to be effective, or indeed
implementable, given space and existing infrastructure limitations. Nutrient loads generated
by this catchment may be at “background” levels, i.e. levels that are high enough to generate
problematical loads for small waterbodies, but so low as to preclude effective mitigation using
conventional BMPs.
Recommendation 3:
3.1 Integrate the management needs of Rondevlei with those for Princess
Vlei, and manage these vleis as interlinked components of the same
system;
3.2 Implement whatever identified catchment level BMPs are deemed likely
to reduce pollution with the Rondevlei catchment;
3.3 Should the rehabilitation of Princess Vlei not achieve the desired
improvement in the quality of water draining to Rondevlei, investigate
options for the introduction of a low-flow bypass system to the Zeekoe
Canal, and the creation of a non-hydraulically-occlusive treatment
wetland in the latter.
Zeekoevlei / Rondevlei Rehabilitation Study: Action Plan
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