Sterkfontein Dam

Sterkfontein Dam
Sterkfontein Dam Reservoir seen from the R74
Sterkfontein Dam is located in South Africa
Sterkfontein Dam
Location of Sterkfontein Dam in South Africa
Official nameSterkfontein Dam
LocationFree State
Coordinates28°26′54″S 29°01′22″E / 28.4484°S 29.0228°E / -28.4484; 29.0228
Construction began1969
Opening date1980 (renovated 1986)[1]
Dam and spillways
Type of damEarth fill dam
ImpoundsNuwejaarspruit[1]
Height97 metres (320 ft)[1]
Length3,060 metres (3,350 yd)[1]
Dam volume19,800,000 m3 (25,900,000 cu yd)
Spillway capacity0 m3/s (0 cu ft/s)
Reservoir
CreatesSterkfontein Dam Reservoir
Total capacity2,616,000 ML (2,121,000 acre⋅ft)[1]
Catchment area195 km2 (75 sq mi)
Surface area69.37 km2 (26.78 sq mi)[1]
Maximum length18.8 km (11.7 mi)
Normal elevation1,708 m (5,604 ft)

The Sterkfontein Dam, located just outside the town of Harrismith, in the Free State, province of South Africa, is part of the Tugela-Vaal Water Project and the Drakensberg Pumped Storage Scheme, and located on the Nuwejaarspruit, a tributary of the Wilge River in the upper catchment area of the Vaal River.[2] It is the second highest dam wall in South Africa and its highest earth fill dam.

  1. ^ a b c d e f "STERKFONTEIN DAM". Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
  2. ^ Upper Vaal WMA 8