Water Wheel Water Kidz Special Edition

Abstract

The Water Wheel Special Publication August 2013 The Water Wheel May/June 2005 Dams in South AfricaDams in South Africa I n South Africa we depend mostly on rivers, dams and underground water for our water supply. The country does not get a lot of rain, less than 500 mm a year. In fact, South Africa is one of the 30 driest countries in the world. To make sure that we have enough water to drink, to grow food and for industries, the government builds dams to store water. A typical dam is a wall of solid material (like concrete, earth and rocks) built across a river to block the flow of the river. In times of excess flow water is stored behind the dam wall in what is known as a reservoir. These dams make sure that communities don’t run out of water in times of drought. About half of South Africa’s annual rainfall is stored in dams. Dams can also prevent flooding when there is an overabundance of water. We have more than 500 government dams in South Africa, with a total capacity of 37 000 million square metres (m3) – that’s the same as about 15 million Olympic-sized swimming pools!

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