Kraai catchment from
source to gorge
The Kraai River System
The Kraai River has its origins at the southernmost extremity of the Drakensberg, in the Barkly East magisterial district. It is a tributary of the Orange River, flowing westward from the junction of the Bell River and the Sterkspruit at Moshesh’s Ford (1,724m above sea level) and joining the Orange near Aliwal North.
The Upper Kraai catchment lies between Moshesh’s Ford and the sources of the streams that feed the Kraai at the Ford. The Middle Kraai extends from Moshesh’s Ford to the confluence of the Kraai and the Karringmelkspruit. Both the Kraai and the lower reaches of its main tributaries flow almost entirely over sandstone rocks of the Clarens Formation, beneath the higher-altitude basalts of the Drakensberg Group.
Key Tributaries
The Bell River
Rises on the farm Tenahead, near the border with Lesotho. Its tributary the Kloppershoekspruit originates on the slopes of Ben MacDhui — at 3,001m, the highest peak in the former Cape Colony. The Carlisleshoekspruit and Maartenshoekspruit are lesser-known but occasionally fishable Bell tributaries.
The Sterkspruit
Rises near Barkly Pass and the Bastervoetpad. Its major tributaries are the Bokspruit and Riflespruit, whose upper reaches flow through spectacular gravel-floored trough-like valleys. The Coldstream is a lesser-known tributary flowing through outstanding scenery near the farm of Knighton.
The Joggemspruit
Rises near Lundin’s Nek and drains the Wartrail region of the Barkly district. Its tributaries include the Funnystone Stream and the Vlooikraalspruit (home of the Balloch Trout Hatchery).
The Langkloofspruit
Runs through the valley followed by the tarred road between Elliot and Barkly East, entering the Kraai just upstream of the sandstone-built Loch Bridge (1893, National Monument).
The Diepspruit
Along with the Klein Wildebeestspruit, drains the New England area north of Barkly East.