EARLY OBSERVATIONS ON SOME LIMNOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THREE ORANGE FREE STATE IMPOUNDMENTS

Abstract

The first limnological investigations on three impoundments in the Orange Free State are described. No thermal stratification was found and water temperatures below 8,6°C were not measured. The waters were turbid and the unfavourable underwater light climate was the major factor limiting algal growth. The catchment areas influenced the ionic composition of the waters and large quantities of ions were adsorbed onto the suspended silt.