Swakop River
Encyclopedia
The Swakop River is a major river in the western part of Namibia
, reaching the sea at the southern edge of the city of Swakopmund
(German for Mouth of the Swakop). The Swakop is an ephemeral
river, its run-off is roughly 40 million cubic metres per annum. The main tributary
is the Khan
. Groundwater levels in the area have also dropped about 0.3 m further due two big dams built in the Swakop River.
Notwithstanding the river's irregular flow, some agriculture is undertaken in the Swakop River valley, thus the region is well known for its fresh produce, especially tomatoes, asparagus and olives. There are some fears of salt and uranium (possibly natural, possibly from the Rössing
Mine uranium mine) endangering this farming industry.
The area around the river mouth and the surrounding dunes are also known for rich bird life and some unusual plant species (like the Welwitschia
) that use the regular fog drifting in from the sea to sustain themselves in the absence of other moisture.
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
, reaching the sea at the southern edge of the city of Swakopmund
Swakopmund
Swakopmund is a city on the coast of northwestern Namibia, west of Windhoek, Namibia's capital. It is the capital of the Erongo administrative district. As a seaside resort, the weather is cooler here in December to January so the territorial administration moves to Swakopmund for these months...
(German for Mouth of the Swakop). The Swakop is an ephemeral
Ephemeral
Ephemeral things are transitory, existing only briefly. Typically the term is used to describe objects found in nature, although it can describe a wide range of things....
river, its run-off is roughly 40 million cubic metres per annum. The main tributary
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
is the Khan
Khan River
The river Khan is an ephemeral river crossing the Erongo region of central Namibia. It is the main tributary of the Swakop River and only occasionally carries surface water during the rain seasons in November and February/March....
. Groundwater levels in the area have also dropped about 0.3 m further due two big dams built in the Swakop River.
Notwithstanding the river's irregular flow, some agriculture is undertaken in the Swakop River valley, thus the region is well known for its fresh produce, especially tomatoes, asparagus and olives. There are some fears of salt and uranium (possibly natural, possibly from the Rössing
Rossing
The Rössing Uranium Mine in Namibia is one of the largest open pit uranium mines in the world and is located in the Namib Desert near the town of Arandis, which is 70 kilometres from the coastal town of Swakopmund. Namibia’s only deepwater harbour, Walvis Bay, is 30 kilometres south of Swakopmund...
Mine uranium mine) endangering this farming industry.
The area around the river mouth and the surrounding dunes are also known for rich bird life and some unusual plant species (like the Welwitschia
Welwitschia
Welwitschia is a monotypic genus of gymnosperm plant, composed solely of the very distinct Welwitschia mirabilis. The plant is commonly simply known as Welwitschia in English. It is known locally as !kharos or khurub , tweeblaarkanniedood , nyanka , or onyanga , among others...
) that use the regular fog drifting in from the sea to sustain themselves in the absence of other moisture.