Tierpoort Dam

Tierpoort Dam

Originally commissioned in 1923 The Tierpoort Dam, near Bloemfontein, was reconstructed in 1990 after severe flooding washed it away in 1988. The dam is an earthfill dam which means that instead of having a large concrete dam wall it has been constructed using a simple embankment of well compacted earth. Over the past years there have been times when the Dam has run completely dry, it is said that it is expected to run dry once every 5 to 10 years. It is not unusual at this time to see council workers netting the dam for Carp which then gets distributed into the local communities.

Although the Tierpoort Dam is used to supply irrigation demands downstream through a canal system, the dam is also used for recreational purposes. The surrounding areas have a number of resorts and places to stay and visitors, even day visitors, enjoy birdwatching, angling, boating and other water sport opportunities.