Black Kei River

River in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Location of the Black Kei River mouth

EtymologyFrom kei, the word for "water" in the Khoekhoe languageLocationCountrySouth AfricaProvinceEastern Cape ProvincePhysical characteristicsSourceStormberg • locationEastern Cape, South Africa • elevation1,500 m (4,900 ft) Source confluenceSwart-Kei / Wit-Kei MouthConfluence with White Kei River

• coordinates

32°13′34″S 27°30′36″E / 32.22611°S 27.51000°E / -32.22611; 27.51000

• elevation

540 m (1,770 ft)Basin featuresTributaries • leftKlaas Smits River • rightKlipplaat River

The Black Kei River, originates southwest of Queenstown, and eventually joins the White Kei River, to become the Great Kei River. Several villages are situated on its banks, including McBride Village, Qabi, Ntabelanga, Thornhill, Loudon, Mitford, Basoto, Baccle's Farm and Tentergate.^[1]

The Thrift Dam is its only significant reservoir. Presently this river is part of the Mzimvubu to Keiskamma Water Management Area.^[2]

Its upper reaches form the western boundary of the Tsolwana Nature Reserve, and during the mid-1800s, the Black Kei and its Klipplaat tributary formed the northern boundary of British Kaffraria. The Klaas Smits and Klipplaat rivers are its main tributaries.^[3]

References

^ "South Africa (Republic) - Animals & Animal Welfare". doi:10.1163/2213-2996_flg_com_172012. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
^ Is there a role for traditional governance systems in South Africa's new water management regime?
^ Mizimbuvu to Keiskamma WMA 12