Nqweba Dam

Coordinates: 32°14′08″S 24°31′40″E / 32.23556°S 24.52778°E / -32.23556; 24.52778
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Nqweba (org. van Ryneveld's Pass Dam)
Nqweba Dam is located in Eastern Cape
Nqweba Dam
Location of Nqweba (org. van Ryneveld's Pass Dam) in Eastern Cape
Nqweba Dam is located in South Africa
Nqweba Dam
Nqweba Dam (South Africa)
Official nameNqweba Dam
CountrySouth Africa
LocationCamdeboo National Park, Graaff-Reinet
Coordinates32°14′08″S 24°31′40″E / 32.23556°S 24.52778°E / -32.23556; 24.52778
Construction began1920 (1920)
Opening dateJuly 14, 1925; 98 years ago (1925-07-14)
Operator(s)Department of Water and Sanitation
Dam and spillways
Type of damearth-fill
ImpoundsSondags River
Height46 m
Length357 m
Reservoir
CreatesNqweba Dam Reservoir
Total capacity46 369 000 m³
Catchment area3 668 km2
Surface area1 028.5 ha

Nqweba Dam (previously known as Van Ryneveld's Pass Dam), is an earth-fill type dam located on the Sundays River in the Camdeboo National Park, in Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

It was opened in 1925. The dam has a capacity of 46,369,000 cubic metres (1.6375×109 cu ft), and a surface area of 10.285 square kilometres (3.971 sq mi), the wall is 46 metres (151 ft), and is 357 metres (1,171 ft) 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[edit]

The new name given in 2001, Nqweba, means "meeting place" in Xhosa.[1]

Gallery[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Construction of Graaff-Reinet's Van Ryneveld's Pass Dam Wall (1920-1925) - Three photographic collections present a historic engineering narrative | The Heritage Portal". www.theheritageportal.co.za. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  • List of South African Dams from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (South Africa)