Wash-aways averted

Thanks to the generosity of members of the public, landowners and interested companies, we raised the money we needed to make a start on the erosion control measures on the Poort Stream. The work was carried out by stalwart Alfred Zuma and his team, and with eco-logs sourced via DUCT from the department of Environment, Forestry and fisheries (DEFF).

The work was no walk in the park. The first 4 days were spent just carrying eco-logs the approx 2 kms from the road head to the site. Once they were there they were laid out, together with brush found on site, in a manner that would make them go as far as they could, and prevent wash-aways to the maximum. Then our grass seed mix was sown, and raked in.

A visit around Christmas revealed germination. Somewhat patchy germination, it is true, but germination nonetheless, and lots of un-germinated seed still evident on the ground which will surely still germinate.

It was pleasing to see how the eco logs and brush had arrested topsoil after some of the big storms we have had.

All in all, a good result, with washaways averted, and the Poort stream has been running clear on our subsequent visits.