The Noordoewer/Vioolsdrift Dam is a proposed Namibia-South Africa storage and re-regulation project on the Lower Orange River. It is intended to restore and increase system yield, meet future demand, support irrigation in Namibia, compensate for ecological-water requirements and improve seasonal flow management.
The project proposes a joint dam on the Lower Orange River near Noordoewer in Namibia and Vioolsdrift in South Africa. The feasibility process has examined alternative sites and sizes for a re-regulation reservoir capable of improving the long-term sustainable yield of the Orange River System. The facility would support projected municipal, agricultural and industrial demand, future irrigation development and releases needed to meet ecological water requirements in the lower river.
Increase the long-term sustainable yield of the Orange River System; replace or offset yield reductions associated with upstream developments; meet projected growth in water demand; support future irrigation in Namibia; compensate for the effect of environmental reserve implementation; improve seasonal flow regulation; and strengthen sustainable joint management of the Lower Orange River.