NYLSVLEY FLOODPLAIN

NYLSVLEY FLOODPLAIN

THE NYL RIVER FLOODPLAIN is one of South Africa’s largest and least impacted floodplain systems. It is located in the upper-reaches of the Mogalekwena River, a tributary of the great Limpopo, and stretches over a distance of about 70 km, reaching 7 km at its widest point. In years of exceptional rainfall the area under water may extend up to 16 000 ha. The primary sources of water are small seasonal rivers that drain from the eastern slopes of the Waterberg range including the Olifantsspruit, Groot and Klein Nyl rivers. The floodplain is not permanently under water; indeed it is dry almost as often as it is wet. The timing and extent of inundation is rainfall-dependent, and years of below-average rain often result in no floodwater reaching the floodplain. On average, this is the case one year in three, while flooding occurs to a greater or lesser extent in two years in three. Only once in about ten years is there a bumper flood that results in the entire floodplain being under water. Inundation typically occurs in late January and February; the water then gradually recedes, sometimes drying up completely before the next summer.

Nylsvley Nature Reserve is managed in accordance to the Limpopo Department of Economic Development Environment and Tourism (LEDET) management plans which include:

• Maintaining the sense of place, integrity and aesthetic quality of Nylsvley
• Game management, (large mammal surveys, game reduction)
• Veld management, (fire breaks and block burns)
• Management of habitats for all fauna, the waterfowl habitat is managed as such and provision is made for management of specially protected bird species.
• Maintenance of roads, fences and buildings and weather monitoring equipment.
• Alien plant and animal eradication, control of illegal activities and community engagement.
• All developments are done in accordance with the RAMSAR status and all treaties to which South Africa is a party.

The pertinent legislation is revised 5 yearly so as to include new research results.

Bird, mammal and other list supplied separately.

Reservations: reservations.lwr@ledet.gov.za , 015 293 8015/ 8704/ 8766/ 8339

Nylsvley gate: 071 057 0828