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Gariep Dam Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels

dam on the Orange River in South Africa

About Gariep Dam

The dam is on the Orange River about 48 km (30 mi) north-east of Colesberg and 208 km (129 mi) south of Bloemfontein. It is in a gorge at the entrance to the Ruigte Valley some 5 km (3.1 mi) east of Norvalspont. The dam crest is some 1300 m (4250 ft) above sea level. The wall is 88 m high and has a crest length of 914 m and contains approximately 1.73 million m³ of concrete. The Gariep Dam is the largest storage reservoir in South Africa. In South African English, 'dam' refers both to the structure and the water volume it retains. Gariep Dam has a surface area of more than 370 km² (140 sq mi) when full. The hydro-electrical power station houses four 90 MW generators.

Where to Stay in Gariep Dam

  • 🏨Forever Resorts Gariep Dam
  • 🏨Rose Cottage

Gariep Dam Travel Guide Sections

Our comprehensive guide covers 10 sections including:

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