Kamfers Dam

Infobox lake
lake_name = Kamfers Dam
image_lake = Lesser_Flamingos,_Kamfersdam_breeding_island,_2008.jpg
caption_lake = Lesser Flamingos on Kamfers Dam's artificial breeding island, 2008
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location =
coords = coord|28|40|22|S|24|45|48|E|region:ZA_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
type = reservoir
inflow =
outflow =
catchment =
basin_countries = South Africa
length =
width =
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depth =
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shore =
elevation = 1,180m
islands =
cities =
frozen = __NOTOC__

Kamfers Dam is a privately owned permanent water bodycite journal|authorlink = Mark D. Anderson|title = A Vision in Pink, Lesser Flamingo Breeding Success|journal = Africa — Birds & Birding|volume = 13(2)|pages = pp. 42–49|date = April/May 2008] of 400 ha, situated to the immediate north of Kimberley, South Africa. The wetland was originally an ephemeral pan, often dry and dependent on rain water. In recent times its water level rose as it received constant runoff and treated water from the growing city of Kimberley. [cite web|last = Anderson |first = Mark D|title = Kamfers Dam, SA Birding |url = http://www.sabirding.co.za/birdspot/030707.asp |accessdate = 2008-09-15]

The dam has become a major breeding site for Lesser Flamingos since construction of an artificial island.cite web|last = Anderson |first = Mark D|title = Save the Flamingo|url= http://www.savetheflamingo.co.za/|accessdate = 2008-08-20] The dam and surrounding 380ha wetland area are designated as a conservation zone in the city's draft spatial development plan.cite news|last = Macleod|first = Fiona|title = Flamingo row: Officials 'under house arrest'|page = |publisher = Mail&Guardian|date = 2008-08-20|url = http://www.mg.co.za/article/2008-08-20-flamingo-row-officials-under-house-arrest|accessdate =2008-08-20] As of 2008 though, pollution and rezoning of nearby land for the proposed Northgate development became a contentious issue, with conservationists raising alarm.

Lesser Flamingos

The dam harbours high concentrations of blue-green algae ("Spirulina" spp) and diatoms ("Cyclotella" spp), the main food sources for its plentiful Lesser Flamingos. The dam typically supports 20,000 Lesser Flamingos, but occasionally over 50,000 Lesser Flamingos are present, a large proportion of the subregion's total population. The birds are mobile and commute between the major feeding sites in southern Africa.cite journal|authorlink = Graham McCulloch|title = Making for Makgadigadi, Satellite tracking flamingos in southern Africa|journal = Africa — Birds & Birding|volume = 9(3)|pages = pp. 14–15|date = June/July 2004]

Construction of island

The dam has become an important breeding site for Lesser Flamingos since an artificial S-shaped breeding island was constructed in September 2006. Ornithologist Mark D. Anderson enlisted the help of a local company Ekapa Mining, who moved 26,000 tons of material to create the island. All was delivered along a narrow 200m causeway, and deposited in an S-shape to create two bays.cite journal|authorlink = Mark D. Anderson|title = Artificial breeding island for flamingos|journal = Africa — Birds & Birding|volume = 11(2)|pages = p. 13|date = April/May 2006] cite journal|authorlink = Mark D. Anderson|title = Africa's first artificial flamingo breeding island|journal = Africa — Birds & Birding|volume = 11(6)|pages = p. 19|date = December 2006/January 2007] A submerged pump driven by solar panels delivers water to four ponds where the flamingos can collect clay to build the nest turrets. A thousand artificial nest turrets encouraged flamingos to settle on the island, and within weeks some 10,000 birds were present. These birds departed for winter but a larger flock of some 20,000 returned in September 2007 and commenced breeding over the midsummer months.

Conservation value

In the summer season of 2007/8 almost two thousand pairs of Flamingo bred on the island, producing an estimated 9,000 chicks. The breeding success is expected to reverse the recent negative population trend in the southern population. This breeding colony became the first in South Africa, the fourth in Africa and one of 6 in the world.

The new breeding site is considered to be of special importance as the most important Lake Natron is threatened by proposed soda ash mining,cite journal|authorlink = BirdLife International|title = TA-TA to Lake Natron’s flamingos?|journal = Africa — Birds & Birding|volume = 12(4)|pages = p. 16|date = August/September 2007] while Etosha Pan is only productive once every 9 years. The island also offers unusual insight into Flamingo biology since typical breeding sites are much less accessible. Webcams are to be installed when the flamingos vacate the island, to facilitate observations and to increase public awareness.

Conservation controversies

As of 2008 conservationists are at odds with city officials and developers due to pollution and plans for nearby residential and business development. Conservationists appealed to the public to oppose the developers and proposed a solution the pollution problem.

Pollution

Severe algal bloom was noticed in the dam during February 2008, raising fears of an outbreak of toxic "Microcystis" algae. Observed abnormalities in some birds were ascribed to the poor water quality. In June 2008 it was found that the sewage plant of the Homevale municipal works was ineffective and leaking sewage into the dam, in contravention of South African water legislation. City conservationists and engineers proposed a solution, solicited help from the public and raised general awareness. Discussions with the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality were deadlocked on the issue.

Northgate development

A contentious rezoning of adjacent land, predicted to increase pollution and disturbance, was once again opposed by conservationists and the like-minded public. The proposed developments along the shore of the dam would include both residential and business properties.

The controversy escalated in August 2008 when the city of Kimberley suspended three officials of the Northern Cape department of tourism, pending disciplinary hearings.cite news|last = |first = |title = Officials suspended in N Cape flamingo flap|page = |publisher = Mail&Guardian, Sapa|date = 2008-08-20|url = http://www.mg.co.za/article/2008-08-13-officials-suspended-in-n-cape-flamingo-flap|accessdate =2008-08-21] By doing so the city also effectively sidelined these officials from discussions about the Northgate development's EIA.

References

External links

* [http://www.savetheflamingo.co.za/ Save the flamingo]