Sol Plaatje Dam

Dam in Free State, South Africa
28°13′01″S 28°21′47″E / 28.21694°S 28.36306°E / -28.21694; 28.36306Opening date1968Operator(s)Department of Water Affairs and ForestryDam and spillwaysType of damearth-fillImpoundsAs River, Liebenbergsvlei RiverHeight19 metres (62 ft)Length70 metres (230 ft)ReservoirCreatesSol Plaatje Dam ReservoirTotal capacity15,676,000 cubic metres (553,600,000 cu ft)Surface area356 hectares (880 acres)

Sol Plaatje Dam (formerly the Saulspoort Dam) is an earth-fill type dam located at the confluence of the As and Liebenbergsvlei Rivers near Bethlehem, Free State, South Africa. It was established in 1968 and serves mainly for municipal and domestic water supply. The hazard potential of the dam has been ranked high. The reservoir receives water from the Lesotho Highlands Water Project via the As River.

Originally known as Saulspoort Dam, it was officially renamed on 1 April 2005,[1] recalling the bus disaster which took place there in the early hours of 1 May 2003, when 51 passengers, en route to a Workers Day rally, were drowned. 41 of the workers were employees of the Sol Plaatje Municipality (Kimberley).[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Government Gazette, REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, Vol. 478 Pretoria 1 April 2005 No. 27408 retrieved 16 Aug 2013
  2. ^ Drama at bus tragedy service News24.com 5 May 2003 retrieved 16 Aug 2013

External lists

  • List of South African Dams from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (South Africa)


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