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| Duikersvlei stream walk
- 24 August 2008 |
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On
Sunday
24
August
a
few
of
us
had
a
very
pleasant
and
interesting
walk
along
the
banks
of
Duikersvlei
stream
on
the
old
Kynoch
site.
This
site,
now
known
as
Montague
Park,
is
to
be
developed
soon;
but
before
development
could
take
place
the
ground
and
groundwater
pollutants
that
had
accummulated
as a
result
of
the
factory's
activities
over
many
years,
had
to
be
cleaned
up.
This
meant
that
the
Duikersvlei
stream,
which
runs
through
the
site,
had
to
be
rerouted
as
the
area
of
the
old
streambed
was
heavily
polluted.
The
stream
was
rerouted
along
the
southern
boundary
of
the
site
and
also
developed
in
such
a
way
that
it
would
appear
more
natural,
and
allow
natural
processes
to
remove
nutrients
from
the
water.
Stormwater
coming
down
Duikersvlei
stream
from
areas
east
of
the
N7
most
probably
still
have
high
nutrient
levels,
but
the
reedbeds
in
the
portion
which
has
been
rerouted
serves
as a
natural
filter
which
greatly
improves
water
quality.
The
pictures
on
the
next
pages
show
Duikersvlei
stream
as
it
is
now.
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The
Montague
Park
site
-
probably
better
known
to
most
people
as
the
Kynoch
factory
site. |
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We
start
off
on
our
walk
to
Duikersvlei
stream. |
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Duikersvlei
stream
on
the
eastern
part
of
the
site
-
more
of a
canal
than
a
stream! |
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Immediately
downstream
of
the
previous
picture,
this
shows
the
beginning
of
the
new
Duikersvlei
stream
with
a
much
more
natural
look.
At
the
bottom
left
gabions
join
the
new
streambed
with
the
canal. |
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You
can
just
see
the
canal
in
the
distance,
but
is
the
foreground
not
a
huge
improvement? |
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Moving
down
the
stream
we
find
lots
of
plant
growth
and
some
pretty
flowers
growing
on
the
banks
-
much
better
than
concrete
banks! |
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At
intervals
gabions
are
built
across
the
stream
to
form
small
waterfalls,
these
serve
to
hold
water
back
and
to
prevent
erosion
of
the
streambed
and
banks. |
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Duikersvlei
stream
as
it
is
now. |
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Another
gabion
wall
in
the
stream,
also
gabions
on
the
side
to
prevent
erosion
-
this
one
is
just
before
the
stream
turns
northwards
along
Koeberg
Road. |
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The
large
pond
parallel
to
Koeberg
Road
which
serves
as a
retention
pond
for
stormwater. |
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The
view
south
over
the
pond
with
that
beautiful
mountain
of
ours
in
the
background.
Koeberg
Road
is
on
the
right
with
Milnerton
Fire
Station
beyond. |
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From
the
pond
northwards
Chevron
Refinery
(an
important
sponsor
and
supporter
of
Friends
of
Rietvlei)
can
be
seen
in
the
background. |
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Duikersvlei
stream
pond
next
to
Koeberg
Road. |
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The
pond
with
the
last
gabion
holding
back
water. |
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The
outflow
under
Koeberg
Road
and
on
to
the
Theo
Marais
Canal
and
Rietvlei. |
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