Wagendrift - A symbol of local engineering innovation

Abstract

S ites for possible water storage in the Upper Thukela River and its tributaries were first investigated by the Irrigation Department after the Second World War. The resultant report, published in 1948, sited the Bushmans River above Estcourt as a particularly good spot to build a dam to stabilise water supply to the town and irrigation farmers in the area. Estcourt, which began its life as a modest trading store established by its first inhabitant Clem Heeley in 1847, had by then flourished into the largest industrial and commercial centre in the Midlands region. It was thought that by providing additional water resources, these enterprises could be expanded. The potential of the Upper Thukela as a potential stimulator of the economy was noticed even then.

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