Water Infrastructure:

Dams and Infrastructure

Dams and associated structures are critical elements of the water management system and supply network in the Orange-Senqu River basin, as they allow for the storage, distribution and the transfer of water to the water scarce parts of the basin. In certain areas they also allow for the generation of hydropower.

Table : The major dams of the Orange-Senqu River basin.

Dam Name	WMA/Country	Full Storage Capacity (Mm³)	Surface Area (km²)
Gariep	Upper Orange	5 500	370
Vanderkloof	Upper Orange	3 200
Combined: Vaal, Grootdraai, Sterkfontein, Saulspoort and Vaal Barrage	Upper Vaal	5 655
Vaal	Upper Vaal	2 536	320
Grootdraai	Upper Vaal	364
Bloemhof	Middle Vaal	1 269	223
Katse	Lesotho	1 520	36
Naute	Namibia	84
Hardap	Namibia	294

Source: ORASECOM 2007d

See the following pages for a discussion of major dams and infrastructure in each basin country:

The information provided below should be used with the Water Infrastructure interactive component provided here and the Dams of the Orange-Senqu River basin Google Earth application provided on the Google Earth page (top menu).

Mohale dam is a rock-fill dam constructed on the Senqunyane River that comprises the major component of Lesotho Highlands Phase 1B.

Source:Lesotho Highland Development Authority 2006

( click to enlarge )