Information |
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| Date_registered |
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| 2026-08-12 |
| Brief_description |
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| A freshwater wetland complex situated near Eeram, approximately 17 km north of Harrismith in the eastern Free State. The site lies on the privately owned Middeldeel property and is bisected by the S1204 district road, with the main open-water dam to the north and a shallower wetland section extending southwards. The surrounding landscape is intensively agricultural, comprising large livestock-grazing paddocks and cultivated fields, particularly maize and soya. The site consists predominantly of permanent open freshwater, with shallower wetland habitat supporting sedges, grasses and other emergent vegetation. The S1204 provides convenient access through the site and suitable vantage points from which both the open dam and wetland sections can be surveyed during CWAC counts.
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| Physical_features |
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| The surrounding landscape is intensively agricultural, comprising large livestock-grazing paddocks and cultivated fields, particularly maize and soya. |
| Hydrological_features |
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| The site consists predominantly of permanent open freshwater, with shallower wetland habitat supporting sedges, grasses and other emergent vegetation. When water levels are high, much of the wetland section becomes inundated, providing extensive shallow-water habitat used by a variety of waterbirds. The open dam generally has relatively narrow exposed banks when full, while falling water levels expose progressively larger areas of shoreline and shallow habitat. |
| Ecological_features |
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| The site is unprotected and occurs on private agricultural land. When water levels are high, much of the wetland section becomes inundated, providing extensive shallow-water habitat used by a variety of waterbirds. Identified pressures include sedimentation, eutrophication and erosion, together with surrounding crop and livestock agriculture. Agricultural runoff, particularly potential inputs of fertilisers and pesticides, is considered the most important current threat to the ecological condition of the wetland.
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