Poortjieskloof Dam
| Poortjieskloof Dam | |
|---|---|
| Official name | Poortjieskloof Dam |
| Location | Western Cape, South Africa |
| Coordinates | 33°51′29″S 20°22′16″E / 33.85806°S 20.37111°ECoordinates: 33°51′29″S 20°22′16″E / 33.85806°S 20.37111°E |
| Opening date | 1955 (renovated in 1968) |
| Operator(s) | Department of Water Affairs and Forestry |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | double curvature arch |
| Impounds | Groot River |
| Height | 33.5 m |
| Length | 144 m |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Poortjieskloof Dam Reservoir |
| Total capacity | 9 680 000 m3 |
| Catchment area | 94 km2 |
| Surface area | 305 ha |
Poortjieskloof Dam is a double curvature arch type dam located in the Groot River in Western Cape, South Africa. It was created in 1955 has been renovated in 1968 when JJ Fouche was Minister of Agriculture and Water Affairs from 1966-1968 . The dam mainly serves for irrigation purposes and its hazard potential has been ranked high (3).
The ruins of the original Poortjieskloof Dam that was built early in the 1900s by PW Fouche& his son PJ Fouche can be seen close to the foot of Poortjieskloof Dam's wall today and was demolished when the bigger dam was built. Today the land that used to belong to the Fouche's still own a servitude on water in dry years.
There is a lovely gravel road pass that was built by the Department of Water Affairs as part of the access road and construction for the Poortjieskloof Dam. Access is available within certain hours, by permit only. This is a popular fresh water fishing venue. The road is an out and back route and terminates at a view-site adjacent to the dam wall. The road is 5.5 km long and you have to return the way you entered, making the total drive 11 km.
The road has some very sharp turns and one or two places where the gradient is 1:4 (steep!).