Loskop Dam, Dam and reservoir in Groblersdal, South Africa.
Loskop Dam stands 54 meters high across the Olifants River, creating an artificial lake with a capacity of 361.5 million cubic meters that serves as a major water source for irrigation and recreation in Mpumalanga province.
Construction of Loskop Dam began in 1939 following initial proposals from 1905, with major renovations completed in 1979 to enhance structural integrity and increase water storage capacity for regional agricultural development.
The dam anchors a 23,612-hectare nature reserve established in 1940 that supports traditional angling culture and outdoor recreation, featuring reintroduced wildlife including white rhinoceros that had been extinct in Transvaal since 1896.
Visitors can access fishing facilities, self-catering chalets, boat launches, and camping areas within the reserve, with irrigation canals extending 148 kilometers to support agriculture across 19,000 hectares of surrounding farmland.
The dam incorporates innovative breaker structures above its walls that divert floodwaters into controlled streams during heavy rainfall, reducing flood risks while maintaining optimal water storage levels.
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