Date contructed:
Water uses:
Irrigation, domestic, indstrial, transfer.
Constructed to regulate flow downstream of the Driel Barrage to mitigate the effect of the transfer scheme. The dam also supplies water to Ladysmith and supports water requirements for the farmers between the dam and the confluence of the Little Thukela River. Releases are also occasionally called for to dilute the effluent discharged by Sappi into the lower Thukela near the river mouth. The Tugela-Mhlathuze Water Transfer Scheme at Middeldrift can also be supported from Spioenkop Dam if necessary. (Ref.1.)
Spioenkop Dam is surrounded by grassland and acacia bushveld. Refer to Southern African Birding, a reserve at the dam of 6000 Ha (run by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife) has a very interesting birdlist of 307 species, and one should be able to tick more than 100 in a good summer day’s birding. It is situated 13Km from Winterton and 35Km from Ladysmith.
