Bronkhorst Spruit
The Bronkhostspruit, (English: Bronkhorst stream), is a river in Gauteng, province South Africa. It is a tributary of the Wilge River, Olifants River basin[2] that gives its name to Bronkhorstspruit town.
| Bronkhorstspruit | |
|---|---|
 Location of the Bronkhorstspruit mouth | |
| Etymology | Likely named after "bronkors" or "bronkhorst" the Afrikaans word for watercress (Nasturtium officinale)[1] |
| Location | |
| Country | South Africa |
| State | Gauteng and Mpumalanga |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Witwatersrand |
| • location | East of Springs, Gauteng |
| • elevation | 1,630 m (5,350 ft) |
| Mouth | Wilge River (Olifants) |
• location | ENE of Bronkhorstspruit |
• coordinates | 25°43′57″S 28°59′19″E |
• elevation | 1,306 m (4,285 ft) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Delmas River |
Course
Its sources are located in the highveld grasslands,[3] about 30 km to the ESE of the town of Springs, Gauteng. It flows roughly northwards and its main tributary, the Delmas River, joins its left bank. Further downstream it flows into the Bronkhorstspruit Dam. Then before it bends northeastwards it passes by the Bronkhorstspruit urban area. Finally it joins the Wilge River further about 25 km to the ENE of the town, shortly after entering Mpumalanga Province.[4]
History
In 1880 this river was the scene of the action at Bronkhorstspruit, a battle between a Boer commando under the command of Frans Joubert and British troops under Lieutenant-Colonel Anstruther. It was one of the first serious clashes in the early days of the First Boer War.[5]
Dams in the river
- Bronkhorstspruit Dam
- Premiermyn Dam
See also
- List of rivers of South Africa
- List of reservoirs and dams in South Africa
References
- Dictionary of Southern African Place Names
- Olifants WMA 4
- The Olifants River System
- Olifants WMA 4
- Castle, Ian. Majuba 1881: The Hill of Destiny. Oxford, Osprey Publishing, 1996, ISBN 1-85532-503-9
