Sol Plaatje Dam Explained

Sol Plaatje Dam
Name Official:Sol Plaatje Dam (previously: Saulspoort Dam)
Dam Crosses:As River, Liebenbergsvlei River
Res Name:Sol Plaatje Dam Reservoir
Location:Free State, South Africa
Operator:Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
Dam Type:earth-fill
Opening:1968
Coordinates:-28.2169°N 28.3631°W

Sol Plaatje Dam (formerly the Saulspoort Dam) is an earth-fill type dam located at the confluence of the As and Liebenbergsvlei Rivers near Bethlehem, Free State, South Africa. It was established in 1968 and serves mainly for municipal and domestic water supply. The hazard potential of the dam has been ranked high. The reservoir receives water from the Lesotho Highlands Water Project via the As River.

Originally known as Saulspoort Dam, it was officially renamed on 1 April 2005,[1] recalling the bus disaster which took place there in the early hours of 1 May 2003, when 51 passengers, en route to a Workers Day rally, were drowned. 41 of the workers were employees of the Sol Plaatje Municipality (Kimberley).[2]

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Notes and References

  1. https://archive.today/20140302085603/http://www.info.gov.za/view/DownloadFileAction?id=60794 Government Gazette, REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, Vol. 478 Pretoria 1 April 2005 No. 27408
  2. http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Drama-at-bus-tragedy-service-20030505 Drama at bus tragedy service