Blyderivierpoort Dam
Blyderivierpoort Dam is a gravity-arch dam on the Blyde River, in the lower Blyde River Canyon, near Hoedspruit in Mpumalanga, South Africa. It also floods the lower reaches of the Blyde's Ohrigstad River tributary. The dam was completed in 1974.[1] The 71 m high dam wall and 22 m deep is situated 3 km from Swadini resort by road.
| Blyderivierpoort Dam | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) View from the north | |
| Official name | Blyderivierpoort Dam Blyde River Poort Dam |
| Country | South Africa |
| Location | Mpumalanga |
| Coordinates | 24°32′12″S 30°47′53″E |
| Purpose | Irrigation, industrial |
| Opening date | 1974 |
| Owner(s) | Department of Water Affairs |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Arch-gravity dam |
| Impounds | Blyde River |
| Height | 71 m |
| Length | 240 m |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Blyderivierpoort Dam Reservoir |
| Total capacity | 54 050 000 m³ |
| Surface area | 240 ha |
Purpose
Its key purpose is to provide a stable water supply for irrigators of the Blyde River Irrigation district and to provide additional water for mining and industry at Phalaborwa.[1]
Irrigation district
Orchards and croplands were established along the lower Blyde in the latter half of the 20th century, with 23,521 ha devoted to irrigation in 1995.[2]
Resettlement
During 1965 the community that lived at the site of the proposed dam was resettled (with compensation) by the government to nearby towns including Buffelshoek, Acornhoek, Beverleyshoek and Bushbuckridge. Some stone walled settlements, cultural artefacts and graves are now submerged under the dam.[1]
References
- List of South African Dams from the South African Department of Water Affairs
- Rowe, Christine. "Heritage management of archaeological, historical and industrial resources on the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve" (PDF). repository.up.ac.za. University of Pretoria. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
- International Water Management Institute (IWMI) (September 2008), Olifants River Basin in South Africa (PDF), waternetonline, p. 37, archived from the original (PDF) on 3 April 2012