Vanderkloof Dam
An aerial view of Vanderkloof Dam.
Vanderkloof Dam is located in Northern Cape
Vanderkloof Dam
Location of Vanderkloof Dam in Northern Cape
Vanderkloof Dam is located in South Africa
Vanderkloof Dam
Vanderkloof Dam (South Africa)
Official nameVanderkloof Dam
CountrySouth Africa
LocationBetween Northern Cape and Free State
Coordinates29°59′32″S 24°43′54″E / 29.99222°S 24.73167°E / -29.99222; 24.73167
Construction began1973
Opening date1977
Owner(s)Department of Water Affairs
Dam and spillways
Type of damArch dam
ImpoundsOrange River
Height108 m (354 ft)[1]
Length756 m (2,480 ft)[2]
Reservoir
CreatesVanderkloof Dam Reservoir
Total capacity3,236 million cubic metres (114.3×10^9 cu ft)[2]
Surface area133.402 km2 (51.507 sq mi)
Power Station
Operator(s)Eskom
Turbines2
Installed capacity240 MW (320,000 hp)
360 MW (480,000 hp) (max)
Annual generation932 GWh (3,360 TJ)[3]

The Vanderkloof Dam (originally the P. K. Le Roux Dam) is situated approximately 130 km (81 mi) downstream from Gariep Dam and is fed by the Orange River, South Africa's largest river. Vanderkloof Dam is the second-largest dam in South Africa (in volume), having the highest dam wall in the country at 108 metres (354 ft). The dam was commissioned in 1977; it has a capacity of 3,187.557 million cubic metres (2,584,195 acre⋅ft) and a surface area of 133.43 square kilometres (51.52 sq mi) when full. Other rivers flowing into this dam are the Berg River, two unnamed streams coming in from the direction of Reebokrand, the Knapsak River, Paaiskloofspruit, Seekoei River, Kattegatspruit and the Hondeblaf River, in a clockwise direction.

The Town of VanderKloof has been established on the left bank of the dam, with the main town road entrance just up the way from the dam wall, with holiday resorts and parks, such as Rolfontein Nature Reserve (Photos Wiki Commons)

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Vanderkloof Dam". Retrieved 27 May 2009.
  2. 1 2 "Vanderkloof Dam". Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (South Africa). Retrieved 27 May 2009.
  3. ↑ Eskom website
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