A vlei // (Afrikaans pronunciation: [fləi̯]) is a shallow minor lake, mostly of a seasonal or intermittent nature. It even might refer to seasonal ponds or marshy patches where frogs and similar marsh dwellers breed. Commonly, vleis vary in their extent, or even in the presence or absence of water, according to the fall of rain or dryness of the season. In terms of water salinity, vleis may be freshwater, saltwater, or brackish. Over time a vlei may degrade into a salt pan or clay pan, such as Dead Vlei or Sossusvlei.
Most vleis are too minor to be granted recognition in the form of a name. However, some major vleis are accorded names, for example Rondevlei and Zeekoevlei in the Cape Peninsula, which are permanent bodies of water. Indeed, Rondevlei is home to hippopotamus.
The term is the basis of various biological common names, such as
- vlei rat, rodents in the genus Otomys
- vleiroos (literally "marsh rose")
- vleikuiken (literally "vlei chick")
- vlei frog.
The word vlei is used predominantly in South Africa. It is an Afrikaans word derived from the Middle Dutch word for "valley" (valeye). In Afrikaans, however, its meaning changed into that of the shallow lake. The Afrikaans and modern Dutch word for "valley" is vallei.
- "Compendium of South African history and geography", by George McCall Theal, Edition: 3 - 1877, 9
- Bosman, D. B.; Van der Merwe, I. W.; Hiemstra, L. W. (1984). Tweetalige Woordeboek Afrikaans-Engels. Tafelberg-uitgewers. ISBN 0-624-00533-X.
- Merriam-Webster Dictionary vlei Unabridged (subscription required)