Touws River (river)

The Touws River (Afrikaans: Touwsrivier) is a river in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is a tributary of the Groot River, part of the Gourits River basin. A notable resident of the town is Margaret Maritz (born 27 September 1906) who, as of 2022, aged 116, was regarded as one of the oldest people in South Africa.

Touws River Touwsrivier
Location
Country	South Africa
Province	Western Cape
City	Touws River (town)
Physical characteristics
Source	Matroosberg
• location	Hex River Mountains
• coordinates	33°21′S 19°38′E
• elevation	1,300 m (4,300 ft)
Mouth	Groot River
• coordinates	33°44′12″S 21°10′55″E
• elevation	239 m (784 ft)

Name

The name "Touws" originates from a Khoi word for ash, which also referred to the local "Ash-bushes" (Salsola aphylla). It is uncertain whether the name originally referred to the bushes, or to the colour of the river (historically, the Touws river was occasionally known as the "Ash river").

It also gave its name to the town of Touws River, which lies on the upper reaches of this river.

Course

It sources are in the Matroosberg, Hex River Mountains, near the town of De Doorns. In its upper course it is known as the Smalblaar and the Donkies.

Flowing in a southeastern direction, it flows past Touws River town, meeting the right bank of the Groot River after briefly turning southwards. Its tributaries include the Brand, Kalee, Brak, Slang and the Kruis; all are minor rivers.

The Touws is part of the Gouritz Water Management Area and falls within the Drainage system J.

Dams

• Verkeerdevlei Dam (capacity 5,500,000 cubic metres (190,000,000 cu ft))

See also

• List of rivers of South Africa
• List of drainage basins of South Africa
• Water Management Areas

External links

• Bloutoring Farm, Touws River / Montagu area