Pongolapoort Dam

Pongolapoort Dam
Location of Pongolapoort Dam in South Africa Show map of South Africa Pongolapoort Dam (KwaZulu-Natal) Show map of KwaZulu-Natal
Official name	Pongolapoort Dam
Country	South Africa
Location	Northern KwaZulu-Natal
Coordinates	27°25′06″S 32°04′17″E / 27.4183°S 32.0714°E / -27.4183; 32.0714
Purpose	Irrigation
Opening date	1973; 51 years ago (1973)
Owner(s)	Department of Water Affairs
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Arch dam
Impounds	Phongolo River
Height	89 m
Length	451 m
Reservoir
Creates	Pongolapoort Dam Reservoir
Total capacity	2 445 900 000 m3
Catchment area	7814 km2
Surface area	13 272.8 ha

Pongolapoort Dam, commonly referred to as Jozini Dam creating Lake Jozini, is an arch type dam (double-curvature single-arch^[1]) in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa located on the Phongolo River. The dam is situated just north of the settlement of Jozini, 280 km north-east of the port city of Durban. The dam was constructed in 1973 at the eastern end of the narrow gorge separating the Lebombo and Ubombo ranges. The dam mainly serves for irrigation purposes and its hazard potential has been ranked high (3). The Phongolo River is the dam's largest feeder and outlet as well as the dam's only perennial feeder.

Prior to the construction of the Pongolapoort Dam, the land was Africa's first formally recognised conservation area. The Pongola Game Reserve was proclaimed in 1894 by the then President of the Transvaal Republic Paul Kruger. This would ultimately lead to the proclamation of the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, Mkuze and Ndumo Game Reserves as well as one of Africa's greatest wildlife conservation parks, the Kruger National Park.^[2]

The dam is flanked by private wildlife reserves as well as the Pongola Game Reserve which has many private lodges as well campsite for fishing. Wildlife and birdlife abound in the area. Mammals to be sought include elephant, leopard, white and black rhinoceros, buffalo, hippopotamus, waterbuck, bushbuck, nyala, greater kudu, zebra, giraffe and spotted hyaena.

The dam and its surrounds support over 350 bird species which includes rarities such as African broadbill, saddle-billed and yellow-billed storks, African finfoot, Pel's fishing owl and Narina trogon. The dam also supports a breeding colony of pink-backed and great white pelicans. Additionally the dam supports a stable population of Nile crocodiles.

The dam is also home to the southernmost population of tigerfish. Other fish species include catfish and kurper.

No information regarding the water quality of the dam but can be assumed to be fair. The Pongola Rivers major form of pollution is agricultural pesticides which make their way into the river due to the heavy use of land for agriculture above the dam.

Ballito based company Shayamanzi Houseboats is running a luxury houseboat operation on Lake Jozini. On 9 October 2021 one of the boats, Shayamanzi I, caught fire and completely burnt after a faulty engine overheated. The four crew members and five German tourists dived into the rough water, where three people (two crew member and one tourist) died,they were confirmed dead, while other people were never found and confirmed dead.^[3] The cause of the fire and possible negligence is under investigation by South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).

• List of reservoirs and dams in South Africa

• List of South African Dams from the Department of Water Affairs

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