Caledon River
Caledon (Mohokare) | |
River | |
Countries | South Africa, Lesotho |
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State | Free State |
City | Maseru |
Source | Mont-aux-Sources |
- location | SW of Phuthaditjhaba, Drakensberg |
- elevation | 2,100 m (6,890 ft) |
Mouth | Orange River |
- location | Near Bethulie |
- elevation | 1,267 m (4,157 ft) |
- coordinates | 30°31′21″S 26°4′21″E / 30.52250°S 26.07250°E |
Length | 200 km (124 mi) |
Location of the Caledon River mouth
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The Caledon River (Sotho: Mohokare) is located in south-east Africa, rising in the Drakensberg Mountains in Lesotho. Origin in the former bantustan of QwaQwa, near the border with Lesotho, southwest of Witsieshoek. It then flows south-west, marking the border with South Africa and Lesotho before entering South Africa's Free State province (north of Wepener). It then flows westwardly before joining the Orange River near Bethulie in southern Free State, just before the Gariep Dam. The land falling into the wedge between these two rivers forms the Tussen-die-Riviere Nature Reserve.
The river is the primary source of water for Maseru, the capital of Lesotho, which stands on the river. During periods of low rainfall water shortages can ensue. To combat this, reservoirs have been created with structures such as the Muela Dam and the Meulspruit Dam.[1] In 2003 water was released from here to avert drought.[2]
The Caledon valley is important in the history of the Basotho people. The area was exceptionally fertile and could be farmed without irrigation. This made it desirable and was one of the causes of the conflict between the Basotho and the Boers.
Dams in South Africa
- Armenia Dam, on the tributary Leeu River
- Egmont Dam, on the tributary Witspruit River
- Knellpoort Dam, on the tributary Riet Spruit
- Koppieskraal Dam
- Meulspruit Dam
- Moperri Dam
- Welbedacht Dam, a major water source for Bloemfontein and surroundings, situated inside the Caledon Nature Reserve
See also
References
External links
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