The Tarka River is a river in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Along with the Baviaans River, Grootbrak River and Kat River it is a major eastern tributary of the Great Fish River.[2] The Lake Arthur Dam and the Kommandodrif Dam are located in this river. The latter is included in the Commando Drift Nature Reserve.
Tarka River Umncumuba | |
---|---|
Etymology | Tarka probably meaning 'place of many women' in the Khoekhoe language. The Xhosa name Umncumuba means 'willow tree'[1] |
Location | |
Country | South Africa |
Province | Eastern Cape |
Physical characteristics | |
Source | |
• location | Bamboesberg |
Mouth | Great Fish River |
• location | Confluence |
• coordinates | 32°18′53″S 25°43′30″E / 32.31472°S 25.72500°E |
• elevation | 815 m (2,674 ft) |
The Tarka river is part of the Fish to Tsitsikama Water Management Area.[3]
History
editThe possible origin of the name comes from the Khoekhoe language with words such as taras or tra, meaning 'woman' or 'the maidens river'.[4]
Course
editFrom its source, it flows eastwards through Willowmore, then south through the Toorwaterpoort in the Anysberg and then joins up with Olifants River.[4]
Sources
editThe river has its source at 900 metres in Swartberg mountain range.[4]
Watershed
editIt has a catchment area of around 2000sqkm with rainfall between 120 and 250mm.[4]
References
edit- ^ P E Raper - HSRC. Dictionary of Southern African Place Names.
- ^ Transactions of the Geological Society of London. Geological Society of London. 1856. p. 57. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
tarka river.
- ^ Fish to Tsitsikama WMA 15
- ^ a b c d Standard encyclopaedia of Southern Africa / 10 Sle - Tun. Cape Town: Nasou. 1974. p. 561. ISBN 978-0-625-00326-6.
External links
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