Midmar Dam is a combined gravity & earth-fill type
dam
A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of surface water or underground streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, a ...
and recreation area located near
Howick Howick may refer to:
Places
*Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, in South Africa
**Howick Falls
* Howick, Lancashire, a small hamlet (Howick Cross) and former civil parish in England
*Howick, New Zealand
**Howick Historical Village
**Howick (New Zealand electo ...
and
Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg (; Zulu: umGungundlovu) is the capital and second-largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was founded in 1838 and is currently governed by the Msunduzi Local Municipality. Its Zulu name umGungundlovu ...
,
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
.
Boating
Boating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether Motorboat, powerboats, Sailing, sailboats, or man-powered vessels (such as rowing and paddle boats), focused on the travel itself, as well as sp ...
,
swimming,
waterskiing,
picnicking, and
fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish. Fish are often caught as wildlife from the natural environment, but may also be caught from stocked bodies of water such as ponds, canals, park wetlands and reservoirs. Fishing techniques inclu ...
are popular pastimes at Midmar Dam. Each year, the
Midmar Mile
The Midmar Mile is a swimming race held annually in February at the Midmar Dam north of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Each year, it draws thousands of competitors, from serious international athletes and Olympic Games, Olympic medallists to purel ...
swimming race is held there, which organizers call "the world's largest open water swimming event". Over 20,000 entries were received for the 2009 event. Midmar Dam is located in the Midlands of
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal (, also referred to as KZN and known as "the garden province") is a province of South Africa that was created in 1994 when the Zulu bantustan of KwaZulu ("Place of the Zulu" in Zulu) and Natal Province were merged. It is locate ...
. The dam's primary purpose is to serve for municipal and industrial use and its hazard potential has been ranked high (3).
Morgenzon has camping and caravanning sites, both powered and non-powered. The dam also hosts a yacht club,
and lock up storage facilities for boats.
Midmar Dam is easily accessible from the
N3 motorway.
See also
*
List of reservoirs and dams in South Africa
The following is a partial list of dams in South Africa. __NOTOC__
In South African English (as well as Afrikaans), a dam refers to both the wall as well as the reservoir or lake that builds up as a consequence.
List of dams (reservoirs)
...
*
List of rivers of South Africa
*
Umgeni River
*
Midmar Mile
The Midmar Mile is a swimming race held annually in February at the Midmar Dam north of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Each year, it draws thousands of competitors, from serious international athletes and Olympic Games, Olympic medallists to purel ...
References
Buildings and structures in KwaZulu-Natal
Dams in South Africa
Tourist attractions in KwaZulu-Natal
Dams completed in 1965
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