Kalkfontein Dam

29°29′45″S 25°13′20″E / 29.49583°S 25.22222°E / -29.49583; 25.22222PurposeIrrigation and householdOpening date1938 (renovated 1977)Owner(s)Department of Water AffairsDam and spillwaysType of damrockfillImpoundsRiet RiverHeight36 mLength317 mReservoirCreatesKalkfontein Dam ReservoirTotal capacity258 274 000 m³Surface area3 769.7 ha

Kalkfontein Dam is a rockfill type dam located on the Riet River, near Koffiefontein, Free State, South Africa. It was established in 1938 and renovated in 1977. The primary purpose of the dam is to serve for irrigation purposes and its hazard potential has been ranked high (3). Kalkfontein Dam reservoir is often quite low (10-20% full) as the upstream area is hot and dry and too small to fill a dam of this size, however during flooding on the Orange River, water is transferred from the Orange River at Vanderkloof Dam to Kalkfontein Dam. In 2021 this led to the reservoir rising from 17.3% to 61.7% in a single week.

See also

• List of reservoirs and dams in South Africa
• List of rivers of South Africa

References

• List of South African Dams from the South African Department of Water Affairs