Vanderkloof Dam

Vanderkloof Dam

An aerial view of Vanderkloof Dam.
Location of Vanderkloof Dam in Northern Cape
Official name Vanderkloof Dam
Country South Africa
Location Between Northern Cape and Free State
Coordinates 29°59′32″S 24°43′54″E / 29.99222°S 24.73167°E / -29.99222; 24.73167Coordinates: 29°59′32″S 24°43′54″E / 29.99222°S 24.73167°E / -29.99222; 24.73167
Construction began 1973
Opening date 1977
Owner(s) Department of Water Affairs
Dam and spillways
Type of dam Arch dam
Impounds Orange River
Height 108 m (354 ft)[1]
Length 756 m (2,480 ft)[2]
Reservoir
Creates Vanderkloof Dam Reservoir
Total capacity 3,236 million cubic metres (114.3×10^9 cu ft)[2]
Surface area 133.402 km2 (51.507 sq mi)
Power station
Operator(s) Eskom
Turbines 2
Installed capacity 240 MW (320,000 hp)
360 MW (480,000 hp) (max)
Annual generation 932 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.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Vanderkloof Dam". Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  2. 1 2 "Vanderkloof Dam". Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (South Africa). Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  3. ↑ Eskom website
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