It also unveils popular recreational activities the locals and foreigners participate in when they tour these reservoirs.
Which are the biggest dams in South Africa?
Water reservoirs provide fresh water and electricity in South Africa’s major cities.
Most dams in SA were built for irrigation and to produce electricity. Photo: @Molatedi Dam, @Leonardo Manus (modified by author)Source: UGC
Additionally, these places are fantastic recreational centers to visit.
Show gratitude by not littering the area or polluting the water when you visit.
Here is a list of dams in South Africa, which have the highest capacities:
1.
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It is 88 m high, 914 m long, and covers a 353 million m2 surface area.
The 3,187.557 million m3 reservoir was built in 1973 and opened in 1977.
Its original name is PK Le Roux.
The Gariep dam area has fun activities like 4x4 trails, boat cruising, canoeing, dam wall tours, motor boating, and MTB trails. Photo: @Doctour5, @Gariep Dam (modified by author)Source: UGC
The reservoir is 108 m high and 766 m long.
It holds 3,187,557 megalitres and sits on a 133.43 km2 region.
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3.
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Sterkfontein (2,616,000 megalitres)
Sterkfontein is among the top 10 biggest dams in South Africa.
The dam is located close to the Harrismith town in the Free State.
Sterkfontein meansa strong fountainin Afrikaans.
You can fish at Vanderkloof on your own or with help from the dam’s fishing experts. Photo: @DWS_RSA, @vanderkloofdamtourism (modified by author)Source: UGC
Its wall is 93 m high, and its capacity is 2.616 million m3.
Sterkfontein stretches over a surface area of 69.37 km2 and is 18.8 km long.
Vaal (2,613,500 megalitres)
TheVaal damis among the top 5 biggest dams in South Africa.
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It was constructed along the Vaal River and 77 km south of the OP Tambo International Airport.
The reservoir is about 280 km northeast ofDurbanand was primarily built for irrigation in 1973.
Environmentalists are concerned about the massive water pollution from pesticides because itendangers wildlife.
When Sterkfontein is full, an inside reservoir called Driekloof Dam submerges to the top of its spillway. Photo: @holidaybooker, @Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve (modified by author)Source: UGC
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6.
It holds up to 1,269 million m3 of water; its inlets are Vall and Vet rivers.
The dam has a 33 m high wall and is 4,270 m in length.
The 5 km long island surrounding the dam is famous for hosting the annual Round the Island Yacht Race. Photo: @Liara Barnard, @Vaal Dam (modified by author)Source: UGC
Bloemhof covers an area of 2226 ha, and its former name was Oppermansdrif.
The reservoirprimarily supplies waterto the Vaalharts irrigation scheme (which generates considerable return flows).
It is Cape Town’s leading water supplier with a 480 million m3 capacity.
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The reservoir occupies a surface area of 5,059 ha.
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8.
It is built on a tributary of the Breede River and is primarily used for irrigation.
Lake Jozini dam is home to over 350 rare bird’s species and other wildlife like elephants, rhinos, giraffes, hippos, and zebras. Photo: @leisureonlayby, @whatwherewhenKZN (modified by author)Source: UGC
The area is widely used for fishing.
Heyshope (451,300 megalitres)
Heyshope was opened in 1986 in Mpumalanga along the Assegaai River.
Dee Hoop (374,600 megalitres)
Deep Hoop is one of the largest reservoirs in Limpopo.
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The 374.6 million m3 reservoir is 81 m high and 1000 m long.
It is a gravity dam constructed on Steelpoort River near Burgersfort, in the Sekhukhune area.
It is the only reliable water solution for over 800,000 people living in the Nebo plateau.
Bloemhof is one of the Free State’s best fishing, picnic, and bird-watching destinations. Photo: @3t_fusion, @Bloemhof Dam (modified by author)Source: UGC
It is 865 m long with a wall of 54 m in height and 373.26 million m3 capacity.
The reservoir was constructed in 1939 along the Olifants River and near Groblersdal town.
Since the primary source of income for Groblersdal communities is farming, Loskop was mainly built for irrigation.
Tourists fish at the Theewaterskloof dam and have an annual Synergy Live Music Festival on the shores towards the end of the year. Photo: @anapicturesafrica, @Theewaterskloof Dam (modified by author)Source: UGC
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13.
Grootdraai (350,000 megalitres)
The 2180 m long reservoir lies along the Vaal River.
It is 42 m high with a 350 million m3 volume.
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There are many comfortable, stylish, and affordable hotels around the area toaccommodate tourists.
Kalkfontein (325,100 megalitres)
Kalkfontein dam was established in 1938 and renovated in 1977.
The reservoir lies on the Riet River, near Koffiefontein, Free State, South Africa.
Submerged weeds, shrubs, willow trees, reeds, and stumps at the dam make fishing and sporting risky but fun, with the guides' instructions. Photo: @water4love, @Brandvlei Dam (modified by author)Source: UGC
It has a 325.1 million m3 water holding capacity.
Kalkfontein is 36 m high and 317 m long.
Touristsenjoy camping, fishing, and yachting are popular activities here.
Heyshope dam’s fish species include the largemouth bass, carp, and yellowfish. Photo: @Heyshope Dam, @Frikkie Enslin (modified by author)Source: UGC
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15.
Goedertrouw is 88 m high and 660 m long with a 301 million m3 capacity.
It is the leading water provider for the industrial complex at Richards Bay.
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Albert Falls was constructed in 1976 with a 33 m high wall and 23.521 km2 surface area.
The place has one of the best campsites in South Africa.
The reservoir is on the Tugela River in the KwaZulu-Natal province.Spioenkop damis the people’s favorite water sports destination.
Deep Hoop was built to facilitate mining activities in Limpopo. Photo: @K4bergen, @dehoopfishing (modified by author)Source: UGC
The reservoir and game reserve are only 14 km from Winterton and 35 km from Ladysmith.
The reservoir is in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, and its capacity is 253.674 million m3.
Its surface area is 2,541.7 ha, covering an 886 km2 water catchment area.
You are guaranteed a fun weekend at the Woodstock dam. Photo: @Kasi Gone Fishing(KGF) | Woodstock dam (modified by author)Source: UGC
The gravity/earth-fill throw in dam is on the Lomati River, near Malelane, Mpumalanga, South Africa.
Its walls are 50 m high, and the reservoir is 2340 m long.
It covers a total surface area of 1870 ha and creates Lake Matsamo.
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Inanda (241,700 megalitres)
Inanda is among the top 20 biggest dams in South Africa.
It was established in 1989 for domestic and industrial use.
This earth-fill throw in dam is 50 m deep and 595 m long.
Eight crocodiles were found in the dam in the 2006 spotlight survey. Photo: @LoskopdamForever (modified by author)Source: UGC
Midmar (235,400 megalitres)
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Midmar is a combined gravity and earth-fill throw in dam andrecreation area.
The reservoir is located near Howick and Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
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Midmar dam’s primary purpose is to serve municipal and industrial use.
It was established in 1960 for irrigation and is 34 m deep and 489 m long.
The locals and foreign tourists use the reservoir as a camping, boating, and fishing venue.
Grootdraai dam is a perfect windsurfing area because it experiences stronger winds than Vaal dam. Photo: @weathertodaysa, @Grootdraai Dam (modified by author)Source: UGC
They also play exciting watersports like surfing.
The dam was established in 1984 on the Elands River, part of the Olifants River basin.
It is 36 m deep and 515 m long.
When the Orange River floods, water is transferred from the Orange River at Vanderkloof dam to this reservoir. Photo: @Drostersnes - Kalkfontein Dam (modified by author)Source: UGC
Rhenosterkop dam is an angling paradise for fishing and camping.
It was established in 1986 for irrigation and domestic water supply purposes.
The reservoir covers a surface area of 3,600 hectares (8,900 acres).
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It is 29 m deep and 260 m long.
It holds 194,600 megalitres of water and covers a surface area of 3,610.1 ha.
The reservoir is 23 m deep and 1 677 m long.
Goedertrouw is famous for bass fishing. Photo: @BestOfZululand, @Goedertrouw Dam (modified by author)Source: UGC
Chelmsford dam was established in 1961 for municipal and industrial use.
Qedusizi (194,000 megalitres)
Qedusizi, previously known as the Mt.
Pleasant dam, has a surface area of 2 513 ha.
Albert Falls is a mind-calming tourist attraction zone. Photo: @Albert Falls Dam (modified by author)Source: UGC
The dam is a composite earth-fill jot down with a roller-compacted concrete spillway.
It sits on the Klip River, upstream of Ladysmith town in KwaZulu-Natal.
Qedusizi is 24.3m m deep and 1 437 m long.
You can enjoy the breathtaking views of Ladysmith and Winterton while standing on Spioenkop’s summit. Photo: @Spioenkop Dam (modified by author)Source: UGC
Which is the largest dam in South Africa?
Gariep reservoir is South Africas largest water reservoir, with a total capacity of 5,340,000 megalitres.
It is also one of the best holiday destinations in Mzansi.
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What are the 3 biggest dams in South Africa?
Which dam is the deepest in South Africa?
Gariep is the deepest dam in South Africa.
Visit the Mthatha Dam resorts for mouth-licking South African cuisines. Photo: @damnews_en, @Mthatha Dam (modified by author)Source: UGC
Its total capacity is 5,340,000 megalitres.
What are the six major dams in Cape Town?
Vanderkloof is the second-largest dam in South Africa (in volume), with a capacity of 3,187,557 megalitres.
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Its height of 108 meters (354 ft.) is also the highest dam wall in the country.
What is the biggest dam in Mpumalanga?
Heyshope is the biggest dam in Mpumalanga.
Boat cruising is among the many fun things people do at Driekoppies dam. Photo: @Driekoppies Dam, @Driekoppies Dam Boat Cruis (modified by author)Source: UGC
The water reservoir holds up to 451,300 megalitres of water when full.
What are the dangerous dams in South Africa?
50% of South Africa’s dams are unsafe to swim in without guidance from a tour guide.
Some recreational activities at Inanda dam include fishing, skiing, sailing, camping, or weekend braai. Photo: @inandadam (modified by author)Source: UGC
Chemicals used in mining end up in rivers pouting into dams.
Additionally, there have been numerous cases of dams collapsing and killing people.
For instance,Merriespruit collapsedin 1994 and killed 17 people after flooding in a Free State suburb.
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How full are the dams in South Africa?
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What are the top 10 largest dams in the world?
Kariba dam on the Zambesi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe is the biggest dam in Africa.
Morgenzon has powered and non-powered camping and caravanning sites, hosts a yacht club, and has lock-up boat storage facilities. Photo: @Midmar Dam (modified by author)Source: UGC
Its capacity is around 185 billion m3.
TheGrand Ethiopian Renaissance Damis also massive.
Its total volume is 10 million m3.
The locals and foreign tourists use the Erfenis reservoir as a camping, boating, and fishing venue. Photo: @Erfenis Dam (modified by author)Source: UGC
Some dams are enclosed in game reserves to offer tourists more adventure.
It truly is an experience you will never forget.
She has a Bachelor of Commerce & IT from the University of Nairobi and joined Briefly.co.za in November 2019.
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The writer completed a Google News Initiate Course.
it’s possible for you to email her at perisrodah254@gmail.com.
Rhenosterkop dam is an angling paradise for fishing and camping. Photo: @Renosterkop Dam (modified by author)Source: UGC
People fish, camp, and play watersports at Molatedi dam. Photo: @Molatedi Dam (modified by author)Source: UGC
Ntshingwayo/Chelmsford dam is enclosed in the Chelmsford Nature Reserve. Photo: @Chelmsford Dam Newcastle (modified by author)Source: UGC
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Qedusizi was built to regulate flooding in the town of Ladysmith. Photo: @Leonardo Manus (modified by author)Source: UGC
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