Harts River
| Harts River (ǂGaoblgarib) | |
| Hartsrivier | |
| River | |
| Name origin: Translated into Afrikaans from its Khoekhoe name ǂGaoblgarib, meaning 'heart river'; possibly named after a chief or a tribal group | |
| Country | South Africa |
|---|---|
| Regions | North West Province, Northern Cape |
| Source | Witwatersrand |
| - location | Near Lichtenburg |
| - elevation | 1,520 m (4,987 ft) |
| Mouth | Vaal River |
| - location | Delportshoop |
| - elevation | 1,017 m (3,337 ft) |
| - coordinates | 28°24′4″S 24°16′38″E / 28.40111°S 24.27722°ECoordinates: 28°24′4″S 24°16′38″E / 28.40111°S 24.27722°E |
| Length | 320 km (199 mi) |
  Location of the Harts River mouth
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The Harts River (Afrikaans: Hartsrivier) is a northern tributary of the Vaal River, which in turn is the largest tributary of the Orange River (also known as the Gariep River, the largest river in South Africa). Its source is in the North West Province, but the greater part of its basin is located in the Northern Cape Province, which it enters a few kilometers downstream from the Taung Dam.
The Harts forms a natural boundary for the Ghaap Plateau, located between the Harts River and the Kuruman Hills.
It rises near Lichtenburg on the far southwestern slopes of the Witwatersrand and flows for 320 km (about 200 miles) in a southwesterly direction, mostly through very flat areas of the North West and Northern Cape Provinces before flowing into the Vaal River about 100 km above the confluence of that river with the Orange River.
The Little Harts River which rises near Coligny joins the Great Harts River, which rises near Lichtenburg, to form the main river. Near Taung, the Dry Harts River, a seasonal river with its headwaters in the Vryburg area, also joins it. The river is characterised by highly intermittent runoff, but is regulated to optimise water usage. At Taung the Tswana referred to the Harts River as the Noka (meaning River) Kolong.
Further downstream, the town of Schweizer-Reneke (founded in October 1888) lies on the banks of the river. Wenzel Dam, just north of the town on the river, has been developed into a holiday resort.
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Wikipedia