Kromme Dam

Kromme Dam
Kromme Dam
Official name	Kromme Dam
Location	Eastern Cape, South Africa
Coordinates	34°0′4″S 24°29′1″E / 34.00111°S 24.48361°E
Opening date	1943
Operator(s)	Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	multi-arch
Impounds	Kromme River
Height	39 m
Length	247 m
Reservoir
Creates	Kromme Dam Reservoir
Total capacity	33 282 000 m³
Surface area	253 ha

Kromme Dam (old Churchill Dam), is a multi-arch type dam located at the Kromme River (sometimes spelled Krom River), near Kareedouw, Eastern Cape, in South Africa. It was established in 1943 and its main purpose is for municipal and industrial usage.

Location

Kromme Dam lies east-southeast of Kareedouw, south of the path of the Langkloof Valley (R62 road), and on the northern slopes of the Kareedouw Mountains. The dam is 100 km west of Gqeberha, at 34° 00' S, 24° 29' E.

Dimension

The dam has a capacity of 35 million m³, is 43 m high, and has a maximum reservoir area of 2,492 km² and a 12-m lock. Gravity-based pipelines bring the water to the city.

History

Port Elizabeth grew rapidly in the 1930s. George Begg, the City Engineer, suggested building a dam on the Krom, the closest river with plentiful and good-quality water. Although construction began in 1936, it would not be finished until after World War II. In 1942, it was decided to name the dam after Sir Winston Churchill in honor of his prominent role in that war. Gen. Jan Smuts dedicated it in 1948.

Spoorbek

As the dam filled, the waters covered Hendrik Spoorbek's farm (known as Spoorbek's Land).

Floods

The Churchill Dam and the Impofu Dam help control periodic floods of the Krom River. These have historically damaged fields and building on the banks and near the mouth of the river.

Bibliography

Logie, Bartle (1999). Governor's travels. A journey along the Kouga/Tsitsikamma coast. Hunters Retreat: Bluecliff. ISBN 0-620-24152-7
www.dwa.gov.za

References

List of South African Dams from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (South Africa)

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