Wolwedans Dam
Wolwedans Dam completed in early 1990 is a concrete dam on the Great Brak River. It is the main source of water for Mossel Bay and the gas-to-liquids refinery PetroSA. The dam serves municipal and industrial water supply needs.
The dam was the first single-centre arch-gravity dam made of roller-compacted concrete in the world that relies on fully three-dimensional arch action for stability. The wall is 70 m high and 268 m wide. It has a catchment area of 123 km2. The spillway capacity is 960 cubic meters per second. The gross storage capacity is 24 million cubic meters and the reservoir surface area at full supply level comprises 109 ha.
The Wolwedans Dam trail
This trail will lead you along the Great Brak Rivier to the lookout point at the Wolwedans Dam.
It is an easy hike of just 3km one way and it will take approximately two hours. It is a beautiful river hike with fabulous bird life to see
The beginning of the trail can be reached by following in a northerly direction. Drive past the two churches on the right-hand side of the road. You can park in the municipal parking area.
The road inclines, turns left onto the gravel road, and passes through a farm gate which must be closed behind you. Follow the path up the slope on the right. Then continue along the old water furrow which originally brought water to the village and to the Searle’s Tannery. The path then crosses the river via a cement block that protects the pipeline from the dam to the Petro SA refinery in Mossel Bay. You will arrive at two yellowwood trees. Then follow the path along the riverbank and on into the riverbed. Watch out for slippery loose stones and gravel. Continue on to the stairs of the viewing platform. You can also start this hike from Pine Creek Caravan Park.
Coordinates:34°0′49″S 22°13′0″E
