Dams
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Presently there are a large number of dams all over South Africa that store this precious water but as our human population increases these dams will be insufficient for the future.
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South Africa cannot afford to build more dams as they cost huge amounts of money.
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Thus water in South Africa is in great demand, and as the human population increases with its increasing needs for survival, the greater is the demand for water.
Water Quality
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A further problem adding to this demand is water quality.
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Water quality is defined as water which is safe, drinkable and appealing to all life on earth.
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In South Africa the scarce fresh water is decreasing in quality because of an increase in pollution and the destruction of river catchments, caused by urbanization, deforestation, damming of rivers, destruction of wetlands, industry, mining, agriculture, energy use, and accidental water pollution.
As the human population increases, there is an increase in pollution and catchment destruction.
The Autshumato Dam was previously called the Berg River Dam.
Dams of South Africa
The top 10 dams in South Africa:
|
No. |
Name |
River |
Province |
Full Capacity |
|
1 |
Gariep Dam |
Orange (Senqu) River |
Border: Free State and Eastern Cape |
5340.6 |
|
2 |
Vanderkloof Dam |
Orange (Senqu) River |
Border: Free State and Northern Cape |
3171.3 |
|
3 |
Sterkfontein Dam |
Nuwejaar Spruit |
Free State |
2616.9 |
|
4 |
Vaal Dam |
Vaal River |
Border: Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Free State |
2603.4 |
|
5 |
Pongolapoort Dam |
Phongolo River |
KwaZulu-Natal |
2267.1 |
|
6 |
Bloemhof Dam |
Vaal River |
Border: North West and Free State |
1240.2 |
|
7 |
Theewaterskloof Dam |
Riviersonderend |
Western Cape |
480.2 |
|
8 |
Heyshope Dam |
Assegaai River |
Mpumalanga |
451.3 |
|
9 |
Woodstock Dam |
Tugela River |
KwaZulu-Natal |
373.3 |
|
10 |
Loskop Dam |
Olifants River |
Mpumalanga |
361.5 |