The road runs alongside the spectacular Sterkfontein Dam and down the equally spectacular Olivierhoek pass on to the mountains.
For many years this section of the R74 that runs along the dam has fallen into
terrible disrepair but in December 2015 the newly built road was once again opened.
We took the road and like to share our experience.
Sterkfontein Dam
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| Sterkfontein Dam and all the interesting names Sandy Bay is the area situated next to the R74 The name Poacher's Corner keeps us wondering |
This dam is part of the Tugela-Vaal Water Project and located on the Nuwejaarspruit,
a tributary of the Wilge River in the upper catchment area of the Vaal River.
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| Nuwejaarspruit |
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| Views of Sterkfontein Dam |
The dam receives its water via the Tugela-vaal Project which is a pumped-storage
scheme involving the net transfer of up to 630 million cubic meters of water and
stored in the dam. The Dam is a highly effective reservoir, since it has the depth
to store a large amount of water with very little loss to evaporation.
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| It comprises of a 93 meters high earthfill embankment 3,050 long with no spillway. Thanks to Joburg2c for sharing the photo |
It is the largest dam wall in South Africa with regards to volume while the reservoir
formed by the dam is the third largest in the country.
At full supply capacity of 2,656 million cubic meters and a surface area of no more than 70 km.
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| The circumference is approximately 102 km |
It is situated in a nature reserve with 12000 hectares of considered land offering, wildlife, birding, boating, watersports, flyfishing and magnificent views over the Drakensberg.
It is one of the windiest inland spots with the most consistend wind
throughout the year and wind can pick up to over 30 knots within minutes
and makes it ideal for windsurfing.
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| Windsurfing |
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| It is also home to the annual Sterkiesswim 3000 m in February |
The vulture restaurant used to be a place where fresh and poison free carcasses were put out to feed the vultures and it contribute to the survival of the birds especially during periods of food scarcity and when young birds fledge.
We hope that this project will once again be up and running
It is home to the endangered Oribi and White Tail Rat,
the vulnerable De Winton's long-eared bats,
the Lammergeier
the Near-threatened South African Hedgehog
Kerkenberg
The site is so named because the Voortrekker’s priest, Erasmus Smit, deemed the cluster of rocks at its base was worthy of a church. The heritage markers that can be visited are the Retief Klip, a stone engraved by the leader's daughter Deborah on his birthday to commemorate the Boer's successful land negotiations, and Retief Pass, the old wagon trail used by Piet Retief to descend into KwaZulu-Natal.You can read more about the Kaalvoet Vrou here https://deoudehuize.blogspot.com/2017/06/kaalvoet-vrou-monument.html
A visit to this area will not be complete if you do not take the
dirt road to Leon and Elsa. They share a passion for the beauty of the
past and have established a farm museum.
You can read more about Leon and Elsa Strachan here https://deoudehuize.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-ness-of-elsa-and-leon.html
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| Driekloofdam at the bottom The old sandstone quarry You will find a little bit more about the quarry and a certain Flip Pieterse on this blog post Wild flowers Old ruin |
Oliviershoek Pass
The summit point of 1758 m above sea level and is close to the most southerly arm
of the Sterkfontein Dam.
The descent is gentle and enters a wide S-bed which straightens out at the 2 km point.
it is often used as an alternative route to Van Reenen's Pass but for us it is a scenic alternative to the Northern Drankensberg. Interestingly, and to add a little history to the mix, it was along this area in October 1837, that Piet Retief and his trek party climbed the Drakensberg.
Thank you for joining us on this wonderful scenic drive on the R74.
Till next time
Sandra and Hennie
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