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Aerial photographs taken between 1936 and 1987 of the eleven rivers flowing into False Bay were studied. Various techniques were used to obtain quantitative values and value judgements for the changes that had taken place. It was found that large increases in industrial, residential, recreational areas and alien plant cover have taken place at the expense of open sand and natural vegetation types. The rivers along the eastern shore of the Bay are relatively undisturbed. Those along the western shore are more disturbed but still contain some noteworthy environments. The most detrimental changes have occurred around the rivers of the Cape Flats, along the northern shore.