Cape Critical Rivers Project

Protecting native freshwater species and restoring ecological balance in the rivers of the Western Cape.

Client

Freshwater Research Centre, Endangered Wildlife Trust, CapeNature, and Department of Environment and Nature Conservation (DENC)

Project date

Non-native fish species were introduced into the rivers of the Western Cape for recreational angling. While this enhanced the fishing experience for many, it also caused significant ecological harm. The introduced species preyed on native fish, leaving many of the region’s endemic freshwater species vulnerable or endangered.

Zutari partnered with the Freshwater Research Centre, the Endangered Wildlife Trust, CapeNature, and the Department of Environment and Nature Conservation (DENC) to address the damage caused and restore ecological balance to these critical river systems.

The opportunity

The Cape Critical Rivers Project aimed to protect threatened freshwater ecosystems and species within the Olifants-Doring catchment. The goal was to bridge biodiversity conservation and water resource management, ensuring that river flows meet the ecological requirements of native fish species.

What we did

Zutari developed an innovative, cost-effective monitoring tool to measure the flow of water in critical rivers across the Western Cape. The tool predicts the flows required to sustain fish populations and visually compares current flow conditions with ecological needs.

This system enables stakeholders, including farmers, to manage water resources more efficiently. The captured data helps estimate water usage, assess whether the ecological reserve is being met, and guide best practices for conservation and water reallocation to secure the long-term sustainability of these ecosystems.

Monitoring the health and flow of Western Cape rivers to safeguard vulnerable freshwater species.

The outcome

The project has played a vital role in improving river management practices and advancing biodiversity conservation in the Western Cape. By integrating ecological and hydrological insights, the initiative has supported sustainable coexistence between agricultural activity and environmental preservation.

In recognition of its impact, the project received the 2015 Mail & Guardian Biodiversity Stewardship Award, celebrating its innovative contribution to protecting South Africa’s freshwater biodiversity.

The Cape Critical Rivers Project is a model for how engineering, research, and collaboration can restore natural ecosystems. Its legacy continues to inspire efforts to protect freshwater biodiversity in South Africa and beyond.

By combining hydrological expertise with ecological insight, the project has set a new standard for managing water resources in biodiversity-rich catchments. Its success shows how collaboration between research, conservation, and engineering can produce measurable environmental impact.

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Cape Critical Rivers Project

Client

Project date

The opportunity

What we did

The outcome

Related projects

The Docklands

Olifants River Bridge

144 Oxford Road

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Want to see more?

Want to see more?

Want to
see more?

Want to
see more?