Nqweba Dam (previously known as Van Ryneveld's Pass Dam), is an earth-fill type dam located on the
Sundays River
The !KhukaÇgamma or Sundays River () is a river in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It is said to be the fastest flowing river in the country. The Inqua Khoi people, who historically were the wealthiest group in Southern Africa, orig ...
in the
Camdeboo National Park
The Camdeboo National Park is located in the Karoo and almost completely surrounds the Eastern Cape town of Graaff-Reinet. It contains the Nqweba Dam.
The park is located on the southern foothills of the Sneeuberge, Sneeuberg Mountain ranges ...
, in
Graaff-Reinet
Graaff-Reinet (; Xhosa: eRhafu) is a town in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It is the oldest town in the province and the fourth oldest town in South Africa, after Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Simon's Town, Paarl and Swellendam. The to ...
,
Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape ( ; ) is one of the nine provinces of South Africa. Its capital is Bhisho, and its largest city is Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). Due to its climate and nineteenth-century towns, it is a common location for tourists. It is also kno ...
,
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...
.
It was opened in 1925. The dam has a capacity of , and a surface area of , the wall is , and is long. Once an irrigation dam, it now mainly serves to supply potable water for domestic and industrial use to the residents and businesses of Graaff-Reinet. Its hazard potential has been ranked high (3).
Etymology
The new name given in 2001, , means "meeting place" in
Xhosa
Xhosa may refer to:
* Xhosa people, a nation, and ethnic group, who live in south-central and southeasterly region of South Africa
* Xhosa language, one of the 11 official languages of South Africa, principally spoken by the Xhosa people
See als ...
.
Gallery
File:Nqweba Dam, Eastern Cape, South Africa (20503572672).jpg, Dam wall
File:Nqweba Dam, Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape, South Africa (20512260885).jpg
File:Nqweba Dam, Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape, South Africa (20503373342).jpg, Plaque
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 (under influence of Afrikaans), a dam refers to both the wall as well as the reservoir or lake that builds up as a consequence.
List of dams (reservo ...
References
* List of South African Dams from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (South Africa)
Dams in South Africa
Buildings and structures in the Eastern Cape
Dams completed in 1925
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