The Caledon River (Sotho: Mohokare) is a major river located in central South Africa. Its total length is 642 km (399 mi), rising in the Drakensberg Mountains on the Lesotho border, flowing southwestward and then westward before joining the Orange River near Bethulie in the southern Free State.
The origin of the River Caledon is in the former bantustan of QwaQwa, near the border with Lesotho, southwest of Witsieshoek. It then flows south-west bordering Lesotho's capital city, Maseru. It forms the border between South Africa and Lesotho before entering South Africa's Free State province (north of Wepener). It then flows westward before joining the Orange River near Bethulie in southern Free State, just before flowing into the Gariep Dam. Its total length is about 300 mi (480 km), and its valley experiences great temperature swings.[1] The land in the wedge between these two rivers forms the 22,000-ha Tussen-die-Riviere Nature Reserve.[2]
River
The river is the primary source of water for Maseru, the capital of Lesotho, which stands on the river. During periods of low rainfall, water shortages can ensue. To combat this, several reservoirs have been created with structures such as the Muela Dam and the Meulspruit Dam.[3] In 2003, water was released from here to avert drought.[4]
The Caledon Valley is important in the history of the Basotho people. The area was exceptionally fertile and could be farmed without irrigation. This made it desirable and was one of the causes of the conflict between the Basotho and the Boers.[5] Maize is grown on a large scale in the Caledon Valley.[1]
^"Tussen Die Riviere Game Reserve". SA Places. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
^. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
^. Archived from the original on 10 March 2007. Retrieved 5 August 2005.
^Coplan, David B. (2001). "A river runs through it: The meaning of the Lesotho‐free state border". African Affairs. 100 (398): 81–116. doi:10.1093/afraf/100.398.81.
External links
April 30, 2023
caledon, river, sotho, mohokare, major, river, located, central, south, africa, total, length, rising, drakensberg, mountains, lesotho, border, flowing, southwestward, then, westward, before, joining, orange, river, near, bethulie, southern, free, state, mohok. The Caledon River Sotho Mohokare is a major river located in central South Africa Its total length is 642 km 399 mi rising in the Drakensberg Mountains on the Lesotho border flowing southwestward and then westward before joining the Orange River near Bethulie in the southern Free State MohokareLocation of the Caledon River mouthLocationCountryLesotho South AfricaStateFree StateCityMaputsoeCityMaseruPhysical characteristicsSourceMont aux Sources locationSW of Phuthaditjhaba Drakensberg elevation2 100 m 6 900 ft MouthOrange River locationNear Bethulie coordinates30 31 21 S 26 4 21 E 30 52250 S 26 07250 E 30 52250 26 07250 Coordinates 30 31 21 S 26 4 21 E 30 52250 S 26 07250 E 30 52250 26 07250 elevation1 267 m 4 157 ft Length642 km 399 mi Contents 1 Geography 2 River 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksGeography EditThe origin of the River Caledon is in the former bantustan of QwaQwa near the border with Lesotho southwest of Witsieshoek It then flows south west bordering Lesotho s capital city Maseru It forms the border between South Africa and Lesotho before entering South Africa s Free State province north of Wepener It then flows westward before joining the Orange River near Bethulie in southern Free State just before flowing into the Gariep Dam Its total length is about 300 mi 480 km and its valley experiences great temperature swings 1 The land in the wedge between these two rivers forms the 22 000 ha Tussen die Riviere Nature Reserve 2 River EditThe river is the primary source of water for Maseru the capital of Lesotho which stands on the river During periods of low rainfall water shortages can ensue To combat this several reservoirs have been created with structures such as the Muela Dam and the Meulspruit Dam 3 In 2003 water was released from here to avert drought 4 The Caledon Valley is important in the history of the Basotho people The area was exceptionally fertile and could be farmed without irrigation This made it desirable and was one of the causes of the conflict between the Basotho and the Boers 5 Maize is grown on a large scale in the Caledon Valley 1 See also EditBasutolandReferences Edit a b Caledon River Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica Retrieved 26 November 2016 Tussen Die Riviere Game Reserve SA Places Retrieved 26 November 2016 Caledon River Dams Archived from the original on 3 December 2013 Retrieved 22 March 2012 Drought Archived from the original on 10 March 2007 Retrieved 5 August 2005 Coplan David B 2001 A river runs through it The meaning of the Lesotho free state border African Affairs 100 398 81 116 doi 10 1093 afraf 100 398 81 External links EditFree State Region River Systems Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Caledon River amp oldid 1122174888, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
