07/08/2023
Heuningsnes River flows into the ocean at De Mond - Just one of the many beautiful things to see in the Overberg!
The Heuningnes Estuary, also known as De Mond, is characterized by two significant tributaries: the Kars River and Nuwejaars River. The latter flows into Soetendalsvlei, where its overflow merges with the Kars River. The total length of the river, spanning from the mouth of the Heuningnes to the confluence of the Kars River and the overflow channel from Soetendalsvlei, measures approximately 15 km.
Within this estuarine ecosystem, various fish species are observed belonging to three distinct categories:
a) Marine migrants, which breed at sea and utilize estuaries as crucial nursery areas.
b) Estuarine species, which spawn within the estuary and typically spend a significant portion of their lives there.
c) Freshwater species, which occasionally enter estuaries when salinity levels are low.
Since 1943, comprehensive fish surveys conducted in the Heuningnes Estuary or De Mond have documented the presence of all three of these fish groups, highlighting the estuary's ecological diversity and importance as a habitat for various species.
