Bongolo Dam (South Africa)

See also: Bongolo Dam (Gabon)

Bongolo Dam, (also spelled Bonkolo) is located on the Komani River, near Queenstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The dam has a capacity of 7,015,000 cubic metres (247,700,000 cu ft). The Bongolo Dam, about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from town on the Dordrecht road, is one of Queenstown's main sources of water, its main purpose is for industrial and municipal usage.^[1] The wall was begun in 1905 and was for years the largest concrete dam wall in South Africa. Incidentally the origin of the name Bongola has caused some controversy, but it is believed by some to have been derived from the Xhosa language word mbongolo meaning donkey, as these animals were extensively used in the construction of the dam.^{[citation needed]}

Bongolo Dam
Interactive map of Bongolo Dam
Official name	Bongolo or Bonkolo Dam
Country	South Africa
Location	Queenstown, Eastern Cape
Coordinates	31°52′4″S 26°55′15″E
Purpose	Municipal and industrial use
Construction began	1905
Opening date	1908
Owner	Lukhanji Local Municipality
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	mass concrete
Impounds	Komani River
Height	21 m (69 ft)
Length	115 m (377 ft)
Reservoir
Creates	Bongolo Dam Reservoir
Total capacity	6,400,000 m3 (5,200 acre⋅ft)

See also

• List of reservoirs and dams in South Africa
• List of rivers of South Africa