Bordering the Free State and Eastern Cape, the town next to the wall of South Africa’s biggest dam, the Gariep Dam (Commissioned in 1971). Its primary purpose is for irrigation, domestic and industrial use as well as for power generation.
The wall is 88 m high and has a crest length of 914 m and contains approximately 1.73 million m³ of concrete. The Gariep Dam is the largest storage reservoir in South Africa. Gariep Dam has a total storage capacity of approximately 5,340,000 megalitres (5,340 hm3) and a surface area of more than 370 square kilometres (140 sq mi) when full. The hydro-electrical power station houses four 90 MW generators.
CAUTION: One of those typical Free state / Eastern Cape daytime, weekday trade towns
TIP: The garage as you enter Gariep is well stocked, and a recommended stop. A little further down the road is one of our favourite steakhouses. Tjaailatyd offers a great menu, and accommodation as well. If you crunched for time, there is a Mini Market OK Bazaars next to Tjaailatyd.