The Baakens River, also known as Gqeberha River (Xhosa: [ᶢǃʱɛ̀ɓéːxà]),[1] is a river that empties at Port Elizabeth's city center and harbor in Algoa Bay.[2]

Baakens River Baakensrivier
Location of the Baakens River's mouth
Native name	Gqeberha (Xhosa)
Location
Country	South Africa
Region	Eastern Cape
Physical characteristics
Mouth	Indian Ocean
• location	Algoa Bay
• coordinates	33°57′50″S 25°37′45″E
Length	23 km (14 mi)

The river flows for about 23 km (14 mi) from its catchment area at Sherwood, Hunter's Retreat, and Rowallan Park through mainly urban area to its mouth. Mostly, it is a small quiet stream. Near its mouth, it runs into a gorge on the south side of the hill on which Fort Frederick lies.

Until the first VOC ships docked here in 1690, the creek was known by the Khoekhoe name Kragga Kama, the rocky creek. In 1752, ensign August Frederik Beutler passed by and erected a beacon on behalf of the VOC at the estuary.

In time, the last 2 km (1.2 mi) of the stream was canalized and the small lagoon filled up. Parks, sports grounds and hiking trails have been laid out in parts of the Baakens Valley. The 54 ha Settler Park has existed since 1938. The valley was in the years 1867, 1897, 1908, 1968, 1981 and 2006 the scene of severe floods, floods and great damage. On 5 May 1897, the cause was a cloudburst at Hunter's Retreat. On Sunday 1 September 1968, it started to rain just after 8am and within a short time more than 56 cm fell. In the most devastating flood that South Africa had experienced until then, 8 people lost their lives.

Gqeberha is the name for this river in Xhosa.[3] The neighborhood Kabega Park may have been named after this river.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• List of rivers in South Africa

References