The Vaal Barrage, constructed between 1916 and 1922, was opened to much fanfare on 27 July 1923.

On completion, the dam wall created the Vaal Barrage Reservoir, which includes the expansive Loch Vaal and the 70km of river stretching upstream towards the Vaal Dam.

It was built to supply potable water to the rapidly growing and very thirsty city of Johannesburg with its extensive gold mining industry.

 From the archives, the Vaal Barrage, still standing after 100 years. Photo: Supplied

On 27 July 2023, the Vaal Barrage has its official centenary celebrations.
Today, the Barrage and the Reservoir that it creates no longer provide clean potable water to citizens and industry.

However, the Barrage plays a vital role in maintaining ideal water levels on the upstream and downstream stretches of the Vaal River.

Between 1916 and 1923 the scheme employed about 402 workers some of whose relatives still stay in the adjacent Barrage informal settlement.

The work was delayed by various setbacks, including the First World War and the “Spanish Flu” of 1918.

The Vaal Barrage was finally completed in 1923. Spanning the Vaal River at Lindeques Falls over a distance of about 400 m.

More than 275 000 m3 had been excavated in rock of which 43 000 m3 had been cast in concrete.

By making use of the Duff Abrams method of steel-reinforced concrete the structure was strong and capable of withstanding all types of flooding conditions.

It was constructed in a blend of art nouveau and classical styles. There were 36 sluice gates creating a storage capacity of nearly 70 000 million litres of water.

Many of today’s economic strategists still refer to the Vaal Triangle as “the sleeping giant”.

They have long appreciated that the Vaal River is a vitally important natural endowment for the region, both for industrial and tourism purposes.

In 2021 the Barrage Community Development Forum (www.bcdf.co.za) was established to uplift the area by developing it as a prime tourism destination drive.