Sir Lowry’s Pass River Upgrade (Somerset West)

The Sir Lowry’s Pass River originates in the southern slopes of the Hottentots Holland Mountains and flows past Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, through the Vlakteplaas open land area and through Gordon’s Bay to the Indian Ocean. This City of Cape Town (CoCT) project comprises the upgrade of the river through the Vlakteplaas area and through Gordon’s Bay to manage flooding of Vlakteplaas to render it suitable for housing development. Lukhozi are the Employer’s Agent during the construction stage of the project.

The effective management of flooding of Vlakteplaas will make more than 5 000 housing opportunities available and will at the same time contribute to the clearing of informal houses in the N2 road servitude. Construction of the N2 as a freeway through Somerset West and Strand will commence in less than two years. Upgrading of the river will also significantly reduce the risk of flooding of the formally developed Gordon’s Bay residential areas.

The main component of the project is a 3km long alluvial canal section with four reinforced – and mass concrete drop structures to provide a flat, controlled gradient. This 85m wide alluvial canal section will be developed with a landscaping design to a natural vegetated finish. The alluvial canal river section is linked to the existing concrete diversion channel through the Gordon’s Bay residential area by way of a reinforced concrete transition structure. The transition structure also links two existing (east – and west) side channels into the river and controls limited flow to the original natural river that meanders through the residential area.

The contractor on this project performs excellently and the only challenge experienced relates to the outstanding relocation of people living in structures within the footprint of the project, which the CoCT is managing.

The river upgrading is done in accordance with a Water Use License issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation. The environmental management of the project is done in accordance with authorization by the Department of Environmental Affairs. Construction is done in strict compliance with the relevant requirements and Lukhozi Consulting Engineers also fulfils the role of Environmental Control Officer.

The homeowner organizations directly affected by the project have taken a direct interest in the project and are actively participating in public relations activities. Local communities have also been directly affected by the project through a few very successful sports days initiated and sponsored by the Contractor.

The Contractor has also, halfway through the project duration, exceeded total local employment targets.

Project Team

Client / Employer: City of Cape Town

Catchment Stormwater and River Management Project Manager – Mr Wayne Davids

Employer’s Agent:  Lukhozi Consulting Engineers – Le Roux Niemann

Environmental Control Officer: Lukhozi Consulting Engineers – Natalie Ritsch

Resident Engineer: Lukhozi Consulting Engineers – Anton Crouse

Landscape Architect: ARLA Consulting Landscape Architects – Antoinette de Beer