History of the Vaal

Johannesburg, one of the few big cities in the world not to be located on a river, was and still is, dependent on the Vaal River for its water supplies. In 1914, the Rand Water Board adopted the Vaal Development Scheme that involved the construction of the Barrage 25 miles downstream of the Vereeniging Railway Bridge, an intake station, and the provision of a purification and pumping works at Vereeniging. These plans had to be shelved due to the advent of World War I and it was almost 10 years later in 1923 when Rand Water Board completed the Scheme. Since water had to be lifted about 380 metres from the Vaal River to the higher regions of Johannesburg and surrounding areas (then known as the Witwatersrand), considerable pumping energy was required and a booster pumping station was built at Zwartkopjes, south of Johannesburg.

By 1932, the demand for water again exceeded supply. Construction of a larger dam was necessary and in 1938, the Vaal Dam was completed at the confluence of the Vaal & Wilge rivers. Today, it is South Africa's biggest dam by area and the fourth largest by volume. The thirst for water continued and as the Vereeniging purification works expanded to its limits, a new, larger purification works was constructed at Zuikerbosch in the early 1950’s. Drought conditions necessitated that a continuous supply of water be maintained in the Vaal Dam and two recent Schemes, the Tugela Vaal Scheme and the Lesotho Highlands Scheme have ensured that a minimum level of water is maintained in the Vaal Dam.

Dickenson Railway Bridge

Peace Monument

Vereeniging

William Stow Monument

Garden of Remembrance

Sharpeville

Apartheid Bridge

Cenotaph

OVERVIEW

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