Liebenbergsvlei River

About

A 45km river lined with willow trees that frequently form obstacles requiring careful navigation. Most tree blocks have a sneak line, though strong flow can push paddlers into tight situations. The current has cut steep banks and a deep channel, and K1-races are run on this stretch. Bridges were upgraded with the construction of the Caledon Transfer Tunnel. The easiest access is via the Lindley road from Bethlehem, turning right onto the Small Grain Institute road 5km out, which follows the river's west bank with several convenient access points. From the R26 start, the first rapid (Skelmbos, class 2) appears around 9km in. Willows obscure the approach — veer right about 20m before the rapid to avoid trees, push through hanging branches into a 4m-wide fast drop, and run the centre to avoid the suckback. Around 30 minutes later, several nasty tree blocks can be portaged on either side. The first optional bridge put-in/take-out is at 15km. The second, 9km further, features an easy cascading rapid through a demolished bridge — watch for submerged iron bars and keep left under the new bridge. The third bridge, another 9km on, has six pillars (easy to wrap a K1 for novices), followed by a 1m drop, rocks and a sharp left turn; avoid the leftmost gap. The next 18km runs smoothly through willow forests, passing a fourth bridge and an abandoned bridge that may force a portage at high levels. Around 3km from the finish, a broken low-level bridge creates a class 2 rapid; beware of submerged pipes that can pull paddlers in, and approach on the left through the trees. Finish at the S595 bridge from Daniëlsrus. In an emergency, follow the river to the nearest bridge rather than crossing farmland — farmers here are crime-sensitive. The gravel road on the western bank is never more than 4km away. The river continues in similar character to its confluence with the Wilge; Water Affairs maintains two gauging weirs (one at Reitz Water Works, one about 10km from Frankfort) that should be portaged.

Access

Permits

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