Krugersdrift Dam

Krugersdrift Dam
Interactive map of Krugersdrift Dam
Official nameKrugersdrift Dam
CountrySouth Africa
LocationFree State
Coordinates28°53′1″S 25°57′0″E / 28.88361°S 25.95000°E / -28.88361; 25.95000
PurposeIrrigation
Opening date1970
OwnerDepartment of Water Affairs
Dam and spillways
Type of damArch-gravity dam
ImpoundsModder River
Height25 m (82 ft)
Length4,956 m (16,260 ft)
Reservoir
CreatesKrugerdrift Dam Reservoir
Total capacity66,000,000 m3 (54,000 acre⋅ft)
Catchment area6,331 km2 (2,444 mi2)
Surface area1,853 ha (4,580 acres)

The Krugersdrift Dam in the Modder River is 35 km northwest of Bloemfontein, Free State Province of South Africa with a capacity of 73.2 million cubic metres. It was built in 1970 with a wall length of 3114 m, height of 26 m and a surface area of 1 853 ha. The huge dam is very shallow and can lose its water in a short period of time due to usage and evaporation. The dam is situated in the Soetdoring Nature Reserve and holds yellowfish, Orange River mudfish, barbel and carp.

It is a popular birding venue with large numbers of South African shelduck, Spur-winged geese and Egyptian geese. Access to the reserve is from the Bloemfontein-Bultfontein road (R700) or from the Bloemfontein-Kimberley road (R64); the reserve is about 40 kilometres from Bloemfontein's city centre.

See also

References

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