Page 48 - Bulletin 23- 2020

44

The proposals included clear recommendations on levels, the dredged depth, water level
control and the landscaping of the parkland and residential areas. The levels proposed are

summarised in Figure 2.10.

Implications of the proposals included the following:

- Maintenance would be necessary in respect of pumps, sand-bar clearing, sand-trap

dredging, screen clearing, litter collection, aquatic weed control and normal maintenance
works associated with parkland.

- Pumping in of sea water would make conditions less favourable for the growth of weed

and also improve sailing conditions and the appearance of banks. Fish were not likely to
be affected.

- Increase in the length of stabilised bank would ultimately increase the amount of
maintenance needed. To compensate for this a higher standard than the “wooden plank”

bank stabilisation method that was being used at the time, was recommended.

- The legal position of salt migration up rivers was to be examined with a view to the
possible removal or improvement of the existing weirs at three points in the north of the

vlei.
- The flooding hazard was to be reduced by using the inflatable weir and an improved

method for clearing the sandbar. This would also improve the control of stormwater

discharging from built-up areas round the vlei.
- Through slight “over-dredging”, re-dredging of the vlei would not be necessary for many

years.
- Improved trapping of silt and sand entering the vlei would assist in maintaining the water

depth.

Execution of the major engineering works

Deepening Sandvlei

From 1973, for several years, stabilising the banks and deepening the vlei by dredging

became major construction activities at Sandvlei. During this time the dredged material was

pumped to the shore where it was allowed to settle in large reclamation ponds. In the areas

44