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Above we have a map of the estuary of the Keurbooms River near Plettenberg Bay. As you can see to the left of the mouth is Lookout Beach which was classified a Blue Flag beach.
Over the years however the river mouth has moved steadily westwards towards the rocky outcrop at the western end of the Lookout Beach and by doing so has eaten away at Lookout Beach
Starting in 2003 I began photographing the mouth from the outcrop above the beach and have managed to capture some of the erosion as the sea ate away at the beach and the land behind it.
The next two photographs were taken on the 14 July 2003
The mouth of the Keurbooms River
As you can see from the photo above the Lookout Beach extends about three hundred metres from the rocky outcrop to the then mouth of the river.
Behind the beach is a lot of alien bush which holds the drifting sand together and shelters the beach from the wind.
This photo taken from the landward side of the beach
Lookout beach and surrounds on the 29 September 2004
Lookout Beach at low tide
Lookout Beach at high tide with the incoming tide threatening the eastern end of the beach
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Milkwood Manor
Lookout Beach at low tide and high tide above have not changed much since the July photos were taken.
Milkwood Manor still has the beach car park and trees in front of it. Notice the level of the car park in respect to the building.
View of the Lagoon Mouth from the Formosa Garden Village road
Three years later on the 4 April 2007
The sea has moved the mouth at least a 100 metres to the west of where it was
Milkwood Manor still has its car park and trees
Then on the 23 of November 2007 all hell broke loose when the 100 year flood that was predicted happened. The mouth of the Keurbooms River moved westward to the base of the Lookout Rock
and swept everything that was in its way into the sea. The photos below were taken in September 2008 and you can see some of the damage caused by the floods.
The mouth of the river is now back where it was about 80 years ago.
Photos taken on the 28 September 2008
Lookout Beach has disappeared along with all the trees and bush that grew on it
Milkwood Manor now has deep water at its front door
The car park has gone and is covered by about five metres of water
Milkwood Manor has been shored up with some large boulders.
Should another flood and high seas occur at the same time it is possible that the Manor could be flooded and even swept be away.
Milkwood Manor photographed from the rear with waves breaking around it.
The tide sweeping into the lagoon
The lagoon mouth with a sandbank centre right which is all that is left of the west bank of the previous mouth
Map of river mouth as it is today
I will continue to monitor the river mouth every time I visit Plettenberg Bay and will add new photos as things change.
