List of the top 5 dams in South Africa

1. Gariep - This is the largest dam in South Africa. It is built near the town of Norvalspontnot far from Eastern Cape and Free State provinces. It’s principal purpose is for irrigation, domestic and industrial use as well as for the generation of power. Its height is 88 m, and its length is 914 m, and the concrete used in its construction is about 1.73 million m3.


2. Vanderkloof Dam - The dam was originally called the P.K. Le Roux reservoir before it changed to the Vanderkloof Dam. It is also fed by the Orange and Berg Rivers as well as two streams. It is situated about 81 miles (130 km) away from the Gariep reservoir and is the second largest in the country. Vanderkloof has the highest wall whose height is 108 m and can hold 3,187.557 million m3 of water.


3. Sterkfontein Dam - This dam is the third latest reservoir in the country. It is located close to the Harrismith town in Free State and constructed by the Department of Water Affairs. The reservoir was redirected from Tugela River following the shortage of water in Johannesburg in the 1960s and 1970s. It has the second highest wall that measures 93 m (305 ft), and it is the largest earth fill reservoir.


4. Vaal Dam - This dam is constructed on the Vaal River and is also fed by the Wilge and Klip rivers and Grootspuit, and Molspuit. It is located 77 km south of the OP Tambo International Airport. It is also the fourth largest by water capacity. It has a wall that measures 63.5 m and holds up to 2,609,799,000 cubic metres of water. The surface area is 322 square km. The dam was primarily created to attenuate flooding.


5. Pongolapoort Dam/ Lake Jozini - Pongolapoort Dam/ Lake Jozini Located about 280 km north-east of Durban, the Pongolapoort/ Lake Jozini is constructed on the Phongolo River which is its sole perennial feeder. The reservoir has a wall whose height is 89 m. Its total water capacity is 2,445,900,000 m3.

Vaal Dam - This dam is constructed on the Vaal River and is also fed by the Wilge and Klip rivers and Grootspuit, and Molspuit. It is located 77 km south of the OP Tambo International Airport. It is also the fourth largest by water capacity.