Naute Dam

The Naute Dam is a dam outside of Keetmanshoop in the Karas Region of Namibia. It was built by Concor between 1970 and 1972 and was officially commissioned in September 1972. It is the third largest dam in Namibia after Hardap Dam to Naute's north and can hold up to 69 million cubic metres of water. The dam's source is the Löwen River, a tributary of the Fish River.^[1]

Naute Dam
Country	Namibia
Location	Outside Keetmanshoop, Karas Region
Coordinates	26.931°S 17.938°E / -26.931; 17.938
Purpose	Potable water supply, irrigation, fish farming, fruit farming
Status	Operational
Construction began	1970
Opening date	September 1972
Built by	Concor
Dam and spillways
Impounds	Löwen River
Reservoir
Creates	Naute Dam Reservoir
Total capacity	69,000,000 m3
Catchment area	Löwen River
Naute Aqua Fish Farms Project, Naute Fruit Farm

Bird's eye views of Naute Dam in 2010 and 2017 respectively

Business

Naute Dam supplies potable water to Keetmanshoop and some surrounding farms, but is predominantly used for irrigation. It has been consistently underutilised and is one of just a few dams in Namibia that are often filled to capacity.^[2]

The Naute Aqua Fish Farms Project, a government-owned fish farm, is based at the dam.^[3]

Naute Fruit Farm is also located at the Naute Dam. The farm primarily grows dates for export to Europe. In 2009, the farm was projected to export 180 tonnes of dates, up from 120 the year before. As of March 2009, the farm employed 76 full-time employees and 250 seasonal workers.^[4]

Pictures

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  Naute Dam
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  Naute Dam
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  Reservoir of the Naute Dam
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  Plantage of date palms next to the Naute Dam