Sandton nature lovers welcome Gautrain’s rehabilitation of community dam

Nature lovers in Morningside, Sandton, are once again enjoying the lush greenery and abundant bird life at Outspan Dam following years of neglect. The community joined efforts with Gautrain and the City of Johannesburg to restore the dam to its former glory.

After years of sub-standard maintenance, the condition of the dam wall and spillways had deteriorated to the extent that the river walls had become unstable and the spillways could no longer manage large inflows of water during heavy rains. In addition, invader plants and trees had taken root across the stream banks leading towards the dam and the surrounding area.

A rehabilitation project was launched by the Johannesburg City Parks (JCP), specialist landscape architects, the Marikana Ratepayers Association (MRA), Gautrain and other stakeholders. Their joint efforts ensured the rehabilitation of Outspan Dam, dam wall and spillway.

Outspan Dam lies adjacent to Marikana Drive in the northern suburb of Morningside. The dam is home to dozens of bird species, fish, amphibians and flora. It also forms an important part of the MRA community, which for years has tried to protect the dam and surrounding area against the negative impact of over development and neglect.

In 2007, JCP initiated studies to be carried out by KH Landscape Architects and other specialists, to rehabilitate the water body, dam wall, spillway and down flow. Hydrological studies and designs were completed and the Environmental Impact Assessment exemption application was authorised in October that same year. A master plan was prepared by a consultant and the Department of Water and Forestry issued a permit for the plan to be implemented.

After delays due to budget constraints and after the MRA held talks with Gautrain and it was agreed that the excavation and hydro-engineering process would continue.

Heavy duty vehicles moved into the area in late 2009 and began removing alien vegetation, re-landscaping the land and establishing a better ground foundation around the dam. Gautrain provided funds for the project and also supplied the rocks that were needed to stabilise the walls, as well as the logistics to transport the rocks to site.

This joint initiative has significantly improved conditions at Outspan Dam.