Crocodile River – Kwena Dam to Montrose

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The Crocodile is one of Mpumalanga's major rivers, fed by numerous small tributaries and the Elands, and flowing into the Komati just short of the Mozambique border. Below Montrose, hippo herds make paddling unwise, except within the gorge. The described section is the course of the annual two-day Lowveld Crocodile Marathon, with many weirs, low-level bridges and trees to watch for. The notes below assume a typical race level of 10 cumecs released from Kwena Dam. Ideal for K1. Day 1: The gauging weir just below the dam is shootable in the middle. Els Weir, 1km in, is a left-side portage. At 3km, Steyn's low-level bridge is a right-side portage. At 6km, O'Connor's Corner is a tricky right-hand S-bend followed by a challenging rapid. A pipeline bridge 1km further is covered at race levels and shootable over the centre. Another kilometre on, Lionel's Rapid runs in the centre. At 10km, Blokes' Block is a large mid-river boulder, passable on either side. The nearby Sterkdoorn Weir is shot right of centre of the right opening. From 15km, easily readable rapids run for about 2km, culminating in the biggest rapid of the race: run the far left until the river bends right, then head centre over the main drop. The next rapid, 200m below, is also run centre. The remainder to the take-out is flat water, easy rapids and a small weir near the Weltevreden Bridge finish. Day 2: Starts just below Weltevreden Bridge, shorter and easier. The main obstacles are a series of low-level bridges, all shot through gaps roughly in the middle, except the Sappi causeway 11km in, which is a left-side portage. Take-out is just above Montrose Falls below the N4. Montrose Falls is a popular stop for Lowveld kayakers. It has one major drop on the left and a double drop on the right. The left drop has never been run and the entry before the 16m fall is very difficult. The first drop on the right has been attempted once with poor results and is best avoided. The second drop on the right is about 9m, not truly vertical, more of a chute, and safe at virtually any level. Seal launch into the pool between the two drops to run it.

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