| Orange River Kai Garib (Groote Rivier), Gariep, Senqu, Oranje | |
|---|---|
| Mouth | Alexander Bay |
| • location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Length | 2,432 km (1,511 mi) |
| Basin size | 973,000 km2 (376,000 sq mi) |
How big is the Orange River basin?
The Orange River—together with the Vaal, its principal tributary—forms a drainage basin with an area of at least 330,000 square miles (855,000 square kilometres). The western part of the basin is generally dry, flat, and unamenable to cultivation without irrigation.
What is the origin of the Orange River?
The source of the Orange was first reached by the French Protestant missionaries Thomas Arbousset and François Daumas in 1836. Throughout the 19th century, the Orange River marked the northern limit of British power in southern Africa.
What is life like in the Orange River valley?
The high valleys of the Orange River’s headwaters are uninhabited, though the adjacent plateaus are used by the southern Sotho (Basuto) people for grazing land. Between the Lesotho border and the town of Aliwal North, corn (maize) is cultivated, and this region is also used as pasturage for cattle and sheep.
What type of rock is the Orange River made of?
The Orange then turns southwest and flows over calcrete and tillite (glacial clayey deposit). At Prieska it makes another sharp bend to the northwest, and this marks the beginning of its middle course. Quartzites and ironstones form a “barrier zone” through which the river has cut deep gorges.
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What is the widest point of the Orange River?
In this area the Orange splits up into innumerable channels, between which are islands of varying length; and the river attains its greatest width, which may reach nearly four miles in places. About 40 miles downstream from Upington, however, the riverbed is suddenly narrowed to about 2,000 feet.
How wide is the Orange River in South Africa?
The Orange River is the longest river in South Africa. It flows 1,300 miles (2,100 kilometers) across the width of the country.
Is the Orange River the longest river in the world?
The Orange River (Gariep River, Groote River, or Senqu River) is the longest river in South Africa. It rises in the Drakensberg mountains in Lesotho and then flows west through South Africa to the Atlantic Ocean....OrangeSourceSenqu- locationDrakensberg Mountains, LesothoMouthAlexander Bay- locationAtlantic Ocean8 more rows
Where does the Orange River start and end?
Atlantic OceanOrange River / MouthThe Orange River, from the Afrikaans name “Oranjerivier”, starts in the Drakensberg in Lesotho. It then flows westwards through South Africa and eventually becomes part of the southern border between South Africa and Namibia before ending in the Atlantic Ocean at Oranjemund (Oranjemund is German for “Mouth of Orange”).
Can you swim in the Orange River?
Hi, the river is quiet during July, because it is out of season. But the weather is nice and mild, and nice and cool at night. If you can still swim if you like. Some people don't even swim in summer.
Is there crocodiles in the Orange River?
The Orange River has no large animals. It lies outside the range of the Nile crocodile, and although hippopotami were once abundant, they were hunted to extermination in the 19th century.
Why is there no crocodiles in the Orange River?
Crocodiles do not occur in the Orange River, most likely because the water and local climate are too cold. Nile crocodiles are capable of limited oceanic movements thus the prevailing currents and water temperatures make marine sightings in Namibia highly unlikely.
Are there diamonds in the Orange River?
The Orange River marks the boundary between South Africa to the south and Namibia to the north. This is an area of active mining for diamonds, which were washed downstream from the famous Kimberley Diamond Area, millions of years ago when the river was much larger.
What fish are in the Orange River?
The Orange River, being the longest of our rivers covering a distance of somewhat 2300km poses as great fishing waters. The river is home to a large number of different fish species like Largemouth Yellowfish, Smallmouth Yellows, Carp and Monster Catfish.
How long is the Orange River?
1,511 miOrange River / Length
Which is biggest dam in South Africa?
The Gariep DamUsually made of concrete. The Gariep Dam, in the Free State, is the dam with the largest storage capacity ever built in South Africa. Constructed in 1972, it stores water from the Orange River in a 100 km-long dam with a surface area of 374 km2. The dam can store about 5 500 million cubic metres (m3) of water.
Where does the Orange River meet the sea?
Alexander BaySouth Africa's longest and major river, rising in the Drakensberg in Lesotho (where it is known as the Senqu) it flows westward for 2200 km, where it finally reaches the Atlantic Ocean at Alexander Bay.
Why is there no crocodiles in the Orange River?
Crocodiles do not occur in the Orange River, most likely because the water and local climate are too cold. Nile crocodiles are capable of limited oceanic movements thus the prevailing currents and water temperatures make marine sightings in Namibia highly unlikely.
How long is the Orange River in South Africa?
1,511 miOrange River / LengthSouth Africa's longest and major river, rising in the Drakensberg in Lesotho (where it is known as the Senqu) it flows westward for 2200 km, where it finally reaches the Atlantic Ocean at Alexander Bay.
Are there diamonds in the Orange River?
The Orange River marks the boundary between South Africa to the south and Namibia to the north. This is an area of active mining for diamonds, which were washed downstream from the famous Kimberley Diamond Area, millions of years ago when the river was much larger.
What fish are found in the Orange River?
The Orange River, being the longest of our rivers covering a distance of somewhat 2300km poses as great fishing waters. The river is home to a large number of different fish species like Largemouth Yellowfish, Smallmouth Yellows, Carp and Monster Catfish.
What is the water quality index?
Water Quality Index (WQI) is an average of 5 different parameters giving a river a GOOD (0-45), FAIR (45-60), or POOR (60+) rating. Learn more about the Water Quality Index »
Is Florida water level seasonal?
Water levels in Florida are seasonal, with higher levels during the state’s rainy summer and fall months. Recent water level data are shown below, along with historical and regulatory values to provide context. Learn more about river water levels »
Where is the Orange River diverted?
This situation remains little changed by the Orange River Project (see below): much of the water accumulated by its dams is diverted to the valleys of the Fish and Sundays rivers and to the cities of Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, and Kimberley.
What is the Orange River Project?
The plan consists of a number of dam and canal projects; work began in 1962. The completed projects include the Gariep Dam (1972), which has formed the Gariep Reservoir; the Van der Kloof (formerly P.K. le Roux) Dam (1977), about 90 miles downstream from the Gariep Dam; a tunnel some 50 miles long (1975), which carries water from the Gariep Dam to the Great Fish River; and an irrigation canal between the Great Fish and Sundays rivers. Projects still under construction in the 1990s included the Van der Kloof irrigation canals below the Van der Kloof Dam.
How is the Vaal River increased?
Measures to increase the capacity of the Vaal River have also been undertaken. Water has been obtained via the Tugela-Vaal Water Project. More water will be supplied to the Vaal by the Lesotho Highland Project, which, when complete, will consist of several dams and storage reservoirs in the basins of the Sinqu, Malibamatso, and Senqunyane rivers.
What dams were built in the 1990s?
Projects still under construction in the 1990s included the Van der Kloof irrigation canals below the Van der Kloof Dam. The two dams have also been equipped to deal with heavy silt accumulation. They have deep dead-storage areas, and their high walls can be raised if necessary to allow for a higher water level.
How tall is Van der Kloof Dam?
The Van der Kloof Dam has a maximum height of 351 feet, it is 2,510 feet long along its crest, and the reservoir has a maximum surface area of 54 square miles. Both dams have hydroelectric power stations, and their reservoirs provide water-recreation facilities.
What is the longest river in South Africa?
The Orange River is the longest in South Africa. Flowing across almost the entire width of the country, it makes its way from the highlands in the east through the Kalahari depression in the west to empty into the South Atlantic Ocean. Its major tributary, the…
What was the name of the river that the Boers crossed in search of land and freedom from British rule?
Throughout the 19th century, the Orange River marked the northern limit of British power in southern Africa. Beginning in the 1830s, the Boers crossed it in search of land and freedom from British rule; they named their first republic—the Orange Free State—for the river. John H. Wellington Phillip S. Hattingh Johann Cooks.
Where is the Orange River?
The Orange River serves as part of the border between Namibia and the Republic of South Africa. Along the banks of this river, roughly 100 kilometers (60 miles) inland from where the river empties into the Atlantic Ocean, irrigation projects take advantage of water from the river and soils from the floodplains to grow produce, ...
What is the color of the Earth's surface?
A network of bright rectangles of varying shades of green contrasts with surroundings of gray, beige, tan, and rust. Immediately south of a large collection of irrigated plots, faint beige circles reveal center-pivot irrigation fields apparently allowed to go fallow.
What river separates Namibia from South Africa?
Acquired February 17, 2010, this true-color image shows emerald-green irrigated fields along the Orange River, which separates Namibia from the Republic of South Africa. Image of the Day for March 7, 2010.
Where is Big James fishing?
Words by Chris Park. Photographs by Jessica Zumpfe. Big James, with his daughter Amy, fishing during the evening from a tiny island in the middle of the Orange River – the river most beloved by many South African families.
How old were James and Chris when they were kings of the river?
James and Chris were 18 when they were kings of the river – guides in charge of taking groups down the Orange River. Now almost 50, the two men take their families back down that beloved body of water in an action-packed trip full of fun, and find it’s definitely one of the greatest family-friendly holidays in the world. Words by Chris Park.
Physical Features
- The Orange River rises 10,800 feet (3,300 metres) above sea level in Lesotho’s highlands, on a plateau, or elevated, flat terrain. The plateau is located between the Drakensberg and Maloti mountain ranges. The Orange River is known in Lesotho as the Sinqu (or Senqu) River. The annual rainfall in the area where the river rises is around 800 millimet...
Climate and Hydrology
- The rate of flow of the river is directly affected by rainfall patterns in the Orange basin. The rainfall in Lesotho, above the Caledon’s confluence, averages 28 to 32 inches (700 to 800 mm) per year, and this little area supplies about 60% of the Orange River’s total annual flow when coupled with the melted winter snows of the highland highlands. Annual rainfall declines from around 11 to 1…
Economy
- Both Lesotho and South Africa rely heavily on the Orange River for their economies. Fresh water from the river is used for agriculture irrigation and drinking. Power is also generated by the Orange River. Many dams and tunnels are used in the Orange River Project and the Lesotho Highlands Water Project to assist store and convey water from the Orange River. The Gariep Dam is the riv…
Irrigation
- The tremendous amount of waterborne sediment that clogs reservoirs and lowers storage capacity has impeded large irrigation and hydropower projects on most of the Orange. To counteract the problem, the Boegoeberg Dam (finished in 1931) was fitted with sluice gates, which enable much of the silt to pass through. The Orange River Project was built farther upstre…
Exploration
- Jacobus Coetsee, an Afrikaner elephant hunter, was the first white man known to cross the river to the north bank, fording the Groot River at the river mouth in 1760. Later trips over the river in the 18th century were conducted by Afrikaner explorer Hendrik Hop, a Dutch officer named Robert Jacob Gordon, an English traveller named William Paterson, and a French explorer named Franç…