New Orange River Dam proposed

THE South African Department of Water Affairs and the Namibian government are studying the possibility of building a dam on the lower Orange River.

South African Water Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica said on Thursday, that the proposed dam was to ensure a stable supply of water to the Northern Cape in the future. “Although you have the two largest rivers in the country running through the Northern Cape, the Orange and Vaal Rivers, there are great demands on the water from the upstream users, which include the economic heartland of the country,” she said.”The department is currently involved in a joint study with Namibia on the possibility of building a new dam on the lower Orange River to ensure future stability of water supply.”Sonjica said 400 hectares of land had been reserved along the lower Orange River for the settlement of emerging farmers.- Nampa-Sapa”Although you have the two largest rivers in the country running through the Northern Cape, the Orange and Vaal Rivers, there are great demands on the water from the upstream users, which include the economic heartland of the country,” she said.”The department is currently involved in a joint study with Namibia on the possibility of building a new dam on the lower Orange River to ensure future stability of water supply.”Sonjica said 400 hectares of land had been reserved along the lower Orange River for the settlement of emerging farmers.- Nampa-Sapa