Sixteen boreholes were sunk in 1913/1914.
When the Park was proclaimed, fences along the western boundary, bordering Namibia and Meir, were erected. This prevented water-dependent animals such as the blue wildebeest from following their natural migratory route southwards for water.
The artificial waterholes thus provide the necessary water for their survival. Other animals such as springbok would also have made use of the migratory routes, although they are not dependent on the water.
The ground water of the Kalahari tends to be highly mineralised. The extent of the salinity of the water depends on which geological formation it is derived from. Generally, high saline water is found below a depth of 75 metres, with pockets of fresh water overlying it. The water points along the Aoub riverbed produce fresh water, while the Nossob riverbed and the dune veld southwest of the Aoub produce mineralised water. Here the animals will not necessarily drink the water, but will utilise the minerals that have crystallised around the water points.
Birds are also attracted to the water and many are able to drink the salty water with no apparent detrimental effect to their health.
The waterholes are beneficial to the tourists as they attract a variety of smaller and larger fauna to view. Thirteen and Fourteen Borehole were originally known as Grootskrij and Kleinskrij respectively. Skrij means diarrhoea and they were given these names because oxen of Jackson, a surveyor, ate Tsamma melon and drank the water resulting in the oxen getting diarrhoea.
References:
1. Peter Derichs - Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
2. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Official Information Guide.
We have had some amazing sightings at 14 Borehole
Just the type of place where cats could fly
Waiting to see all your photos from 14 Borehole and surrounds
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