Taung Dam

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Taung Dam
Official name Taung Dam
Location North West, South Africa
Coordinates 27°31′30″S24°51′54″E / 27.52500°S 24.86500°E / -27.52500; 24.86500 Coordinates: 27°31′30″S24°51′54″E / 27.52500°S 24.86500°E / -27.52500; 24.86500
Opening date 1993
Operator(s) Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
Dam and spillways
Type of dam gravity
Impounds Harts River
Height 42 metres (138 ft)
Length 255 metres (837 ft)
Reservoir
Creates Taung Dam Reservoir
Total capacity 58,900,000 cubic metres (2.08×109 cu ft)
Surface area 465 hectares (1,150 acres)

Taung Dam is a gravity type dam located on the Harts River near Taung, North West, South Africa. It was established in 1993 and serves mainly for irrigation purposes. Its hazard potential has been ranked high (3).

Harts River river in South Africa

The Harts River is a northern tributary of the Vaal River, which in turn is the largest tributary of the Orange River. Its source is in the North West Province, but the greater part of its basin is located in the Northern Cape Province, which it enters a few kilometers downstream from the Taung Dam.

Taung Place in North West, South Africa

Taung is a small town situated in the North West Province of South Africa. The name means place of the lion and was named after Tau, the chief of the Tswana speaking Legoya or BaTaung tribe. Tau is the Tswana word for lion.

North West (South African province) Province of South Africa

North West is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Mahikeng. Klerksdorp is the largest city in the province. The province is located to the west of the major population centre of Gauteng.

See also

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