A determined clean-up initiative led by Ruan Van der Walt and members of the local community is gaining momentum as efforts continue to combat the spread of water hyacinth at Bon Accord Dam.

The initiative began in January when Van der Walt and his team took over the management of the dam through their business, Jakkalsgat Resort.

Shortly after arriving, they realised the scale of the environmental challenge facing the popular fishing and recreation destination.

“We started the clean-up initiative in January when we took over management at the dam.

“From the moment we arrived, we realised how serious the water hyacinth problem had become and knew something had to be done,” said Van der Walt.

Water hyacinth, an invasive aquatic plant, spreads rapidly across water surfaces and forms dense floating mats and, according to Van der Walt, the infestation at the dam had reached alarming levels.

“When we started, approximately 80% of the dam was covered by water hyacinth. Through the work done so far, we have managed to reduce that to around 50%,” he said.

Despite the progress, the problem remains significant. Fishing is often only possible when the wind temporarily pushes the plants away from certain areas.

Van der Walt said, “In many places the plants form dense mats that cover the water completely.”

To tackle the infestation, the team has been using heavy machinery to physically remove the plants from the water.

“The hyacinth is removed using heavy machinery. It is lifted out of the water and loaded onto trailers and trucks, which then transport it to a designated dumping site on the property about 500 metres away from the dam,” he said.

An excavator is currently being used to remove large sections of the invasive plants.

He said this has been very effective because it allows us to remove large, heavy sections of the plants at once. Without machinery, the scale of the problem would be extremely difficult to manage.

Community involvement has also become an important part of the project. A volunteer clean-up initiative started at the end of February, with organisers hoping to host a community clean-up day once a month while continuing removal work as often as possible.

“At our first clean-up event, we had about three vehicles assisting, along with one additional truck helping to transport the hyacinth away from the dam,” said Van der Walt.

Volunteers play a practical role during clean-up days by bringing vehicles and trailers to help transport the removed plants away from the water.

“The more vehicles and helpers we have, the faster we can remove the plants and restore open water,” he said.

Van der Walt emphasised that the dam is a shared community resource that deserves collective care.

“Bon Accord Dam belongs to the entire community. It is a place where generations have made memories fishing, spending time with family, and enjoying the outdoors.

“If we all work together to protect and care for it, we can restore the dam and make it a beautiful family destination again for future generations.”

Even though the project is still in its early stages, Van der Walt said there are already encouraging signs of progress.

“We have already started seeing more open water areas forming where hyacinth has been removed. This allows people to fish again in certain spots and is an encouraging sign that progress is being made.”

Van der Walt said their goal is to have the dam significantly cleared by October.

“It is a long-term process, but with consistent effort, community support and biological control methods, we believe it can be achieved.”

He added that additional support from authorities and the public would greatly assist the project.

“We would greatly appreciate additional support in the form of equipment, transport vehicles and volunteers to assist during clean-up days.

“Support from authorities in terms of environmental guidance and long-term management solutions would also make a big difference.”

For Van der Walt, protecting natural spaces like Bon Accord Dam is about preserving a shared heritage.

“Natural places like Bon Accord Dam are valuable community assets. They provide spaces for recreation, nature and family gatherings. When communities take responsibility for protecting these environments, they ensure that these places remain healthy and enjoyable for future generations.”

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