Invasive water hyacinth has long been an issue at Hartbeespoort Dam. But you know things are really bad when the NSRI issues a safety warning about “serious and growing safety hazards”.
Think carefully about launching your boat at all in the Dam, says the NSRI about the current water hyacinth situation. “The floating mass of hyacinth currently covers large areas of the Dam. It is expected to increase rapidly in the coming weeks. Hyacinth growth at Hartbeespoort typically accelerates during the summer season, and changes in wind direction are causing these thick mats to move swiftly and unpredictably across the water. This creates extremely hazardous conditions for watercraft,” the NSRI says.
Two years ago the NSRI had to rescue a tourist charter boat which stuck fast in the hyacinth mats that shift in the wind and can cut off boaters from their launch site. In December 2023 it took the NSRI five hours to rescue 30 recreational boaters stuck fast in the weed.
In recent years scientists have attempted to introduce biocontrols in the form of a hyacinth-eating weevil. However, even weevil appetite appears to be no match for the prolific hyacinth, which is fuelled by the sewerage-enhanced nutrient-rich Harties water.
Regular sewage leaks into the Dam’s catchment area have yet to be adequately addressed.
“Launching without a clear understanding of where the hyacinth is, and how fast it’s moving, places not only your life at risk but also that of our volunteers,” says NSRI Hartbeespoort Station Commander Arthur Crewe. “Every rescue in these conditions is dangerous and may result in further damage to rescue equipment and delays in assistance.”
NSRI crews remain on standby for life-threatening emergencies.