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Kalkfontein Dam

Coordinates: 29°29′45″S 25°13′20″E / 29.49583°S 25.22222°E / -29.49583; 25.22222
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Kalkfontein Dam
Kalkfontein Dam from Space
Official nameKalkfontein Dam
CountrySouth Africa
LocationKoffiefontein, Free State
Coordinates29°29′45″S 25°13′20″E / 29.49583°S 25.22222°E / -29.49583; 25.22222
PurposeIrrigation and household
Opening date1938 (renovated 1977)
Owner(s)Department of Water Affairs
Dam and spillways
Type of damrockfill
ImpoundsRiet River
Height36 m
Length317 m
Reservoir
CreatesKalkfontein Dam Reservoir
Total capacity258 274 000 m³
Surface 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.

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