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HARTBEESPOORT DAM - GAUTENG HOMEPAGE
Information on Hartbeespoort Dam Johannesburg, Hartbeespoort Dam History and interesting facts on Hartbeespoort Dam
Hartbeespoort Dam (officially the Hartbeespoort Dam Reservoir) is a dam situated in the North West Province of South Africa at Coordinates: 25°44′51″S, 27°52′1″E. It lies in a valley to the south of the Magaliesberg mountain range and north of the Witwatersberg mountain range, about 35 kilometres west of Pretoria.
The name of the dam means "pass of the hartbees" (a species of antelope) in Afrikaans. The dam was originally designed for irrigation which is currently its primary use. The dam is situated on the farm Hartebeestpoort, once owned by the Boer General Hendrik Schoeman (1840 - 1901).
The farm and adjacent land was acquired by the State, mainly through the facilitation of his son, Johan Schoeman (1887 - 1967), in about 1912. The dam was completed in 1923 and subsequently became a very popular holiday and weekend resort for the inhabitants of Johannesburg and Pretoria; it is the principal water recreation area of northern Gauteng and many types of water sports are practised on the dam. Its wall is 149,5 m long and 59,4 m high.
The dam is fed by the waters of the Crocodile River and Magalies rivers and covers approximately 18.83 km², with a mean depth of 9.6 m and maximum depth of 45.1 m. It has a surface area of 20 km², and its normal range of annual water level fluctuation is 0.8 m. The mixing type of the dam is monomictic.
Hartbeespoort Dam supplies irrigation water through a 544 km long network of canals to 159.76 km² of farmland on which tobacco, wheat, lucerne, fruit and flowers are produced. Hartbeespoort dam first overflowed the dam wall in March 1925.
The town of Hartbeespoort is situated close to the dam wall and the villages of Kosmos and Schoemansville can be found alongside its banks. A tarmac road skirts the circumference of the dam; along its route it passes through a 56.6 m long tunnel and also crosses the dam wall. Hartbeespoort Dam is renowned for its poor water quality.
The Dam is arguably one of the world's worst examples of eutrophication, resulting from high levels of phosphates and nitrates washing into the dam. The primary pollution sources are arguably Sewage Treatment Works located in Gauteng as well as surrounding agricultural areas. The extreme level of eutrophication is easily recognisable by the dam's green colour.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Police Hartbeespoort: 012 253-1000 / 1114
Police Brits: 012 252-9300
Water Police: 012 253-1000
North West Emergency Medical: 10177
Accident Emergency Madibeng: 012 250-2222
Ambulance / Emergency NECSA: 012 305-3333
Hartbeespoort Emergency (Netcare 911): 082 255-8445 Ambulance Brits: 012 252-2357
Brits District Hospital: 012 252-3311
Brits Medi-Clinic: 012 252-8000
Fire Brigade Madibeng: 012 250-2222
Fire Brigade NECSA: 012 305-3333
Fire Brigade Brits: 012 250-2127
Madibeng Local Council: 012 318-9100
Water Interruptions: 012 318-9100
After Hours 012 250-2222
Electricity Interruptions: 012 318-9100
After Hours 012 250-2222
INTERESTING THINGS TO DO IN HARTBEESPOORT DAM AREA
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Abseiling & River Rafting Experience for Individuals, Friends and Corporate Groups.
Safety is our first priority, and our activities are affordable and GREAT FUN.
Tailor made to suit your individual needs.
No previous experience is needed as all the river guides are super-trained and the abseiling is conducted by internationally qualified supervisors. |
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Tel : 073-316-3446 Cell : 073-316-3446 Fax : 0866024680
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Free-living monkeys in a natural and wild environment. Walk through indigenous forests on elevated wooden walkways, and experience a variety of exotic monkeys in a natural environment. Structured and guided tours are on the hour every hour from 09h00 to 16h00, daily. Bushbabies Monkey Sanctuary rescues monkeys that have been raised as pets, or have been bred or imported for the pet trade. This is for the whole family! Open 7 days a week! |
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Tel : +27 12 258 9908/9 Cell: 071 172 6965 Email: Click here for email |
The Elephant Sanctuary
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The Elephant Sanctuary offers hands-on interactive elephant experiences. You get a chance to touch, feed, walk trunk-in-hand and even ride these magnificent African elephants. Riding is an optional extra.
Conference and teambuilding packages can be arranged as well as luxury accommodation. Exclusive Elephant Programs Daily (7 days a week) 3 Programs - 08h00 10h00 14h00 |
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Tel: +27 12 258 9904 /5 Tel: +27 12 258 9906 /7 Fax: +27 12 258 0329 Cell: l 078 903 5309 Cell: 072 344 3435
Email:
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HARTBEESPOORT DAM MAP
Businesses Hartbeespoort Dam