Maguga Dam

{{Infobox dam | name = Maguga Dam | image = Maguga Dam at Komati River, Eswatini.jpg | image_caption = | name_official = Maguga Dam | dam_crosses = Komati River | res_name = Maguga Dam Reservoir | location = Hhohho, Eswatini | dam_length = | dam_height = 115 m | dam_type = earth-fill/rock-fill | dam_width_base = | construction_began = | opening = 2001 | cost = | res_capacity_total = 332,000,000m³ | res_catchment = | res_surface = | plant_turbines = | plant_capacity = | plant_annual_gen = | coordinates = {{coord|26|04|37|S|31|15|34|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | extra = | website = | location_map = Eswatini }}

The '''Maguga Dam''' is a dam on the Komati River in Eswatini.<ref name=UNEP>{{cite web |url=http://www.unep.org/dams/documents/ell.asp?story_id=121 |title=Details of submission: Independent Monitoring of Maguga Dam Resettlement |publisher=United Nations Environment Programme}}</ref> It is {{convert|115|m}} high and is located about {{convert|12|km}} south of Piggs Peak.<ref name=eWISA>{{cite web |url=http://www.ewisa.co.za/misc/DamMPU_Swaziland_Maguga/MagugaDam.htm |title=Maguga Dam: Mpumalanga_Swaziland ''(sic)'' |publisher=eWISA, an arm of the Water Institute of Southern Africa}}</ref> It was built as a joint project of the governments of South Africa and Eswatini.<ref name=UNEP/><ref name=KOBWA>{{cite web |url=http://www.kobwa.co.za/index.php/about-us/profile |title=Profile: The Komati Basin Water Authority (KOBWA) |publisher=Komati Basin Water Authority}}</ref> As of 2005, it was the largest public works project ever undertaken by Eswatini.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://reliefweb.int/report/swaziland/swaziland-new-dams-be-built-boost-irrigation |title=Swaziland: New dams to be built to boost irrigation |date=30 November 2005 |publisher=ReliefWeb}}</ref> The dam was completed in mid-2001.<ref name=KOBWA/><ref name=FAO>{{cite web |url=http://www.fao.org/nr/water/aquastat/countries_regions/swz/index.stm |title=Swaziland: Water Report 29: 2005 |date=2005 |publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization}}</ref> thumb

==Planning and purpose== In 1992, the eSwatini and South Africa governments signed a treaty covering the "design, construction, operation and maintenance" of the Driekoppies and Maguga Dams.<ref name=KOBWA/> As the former benefited South Africa exclusively (though the resulting reservoir lay partially in Eswatini), South Africa bore the entire cost for that dam.<ref name=KOBWA/> As for the latter, Eswatini was responsible for about 40% of the cost.<ref name=KOBWA/> The dam's primary purpose is irrigation (for water-intensive sugar cane, forestry and "about 1000 of Eswatini's small farmers"<ref name=CEEEBW>{{cite web |url=http://bankwatch.org/documents/raising_the_bar.pdf |title=Raising the Bar on Big Dams |date=November 2007 |publisher=CEE Bankwatch}}</ref>) but a hydroelectric power station with a capacity of 20 MW (generated from two units, each with a capacity of 9.9 MW<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eec.co.sz/electricity/ |title=How We Generate Electricity |publisher=Eswatini Electricity Company}}</ref>) was to be completed in October 2006.<ref name=UNEP/> ==Description== Maguga is a "clay-core rockfill embankment dam".<ref name=Aurecon/> The dam embankment comprises approximately {{convert|800000|m3}} of clay, {{convert|2800000|m3}} of granite rock and {{convert|43000|m3}} of filter material.<ref name=PressReader>{{cite web |url=http://www.pressreader.com/swaziland/observer-on-saturday/20151107/281702613595032 |title=Drying Up Maguga Dam a Nightmare to Residents |author=Bodwa Mbingo |via=PressReader}}</ref> It has an overall height of {{convert|115|m}}, a crest length of {{convert|870|m}} and a base width of {{convert|400|m}}.<ref name=PressReader/> It has a capacity of {{convert|332000000|m3}} and a surface area of {{convert|10420000|m3}}.<ref name=FAO/>  It has been designed to withstand a probable maximum flood of {{convert|15000|m3/s}}.<ref name=Aurecon>{{cite web |url=http://www.aurecongroup.com/en/projects/water/maguga-dam-on-the-komati-river.aspx |title=Maguga Dam on the Komati River, Swaziland |publisher=Aurecon}}</ref> There is a {{convert|181|m|adj=on}}-long labyrinth spillway.<ref name=Aurecon/> ==Water levels and displacement== Droughts have caused major problems. In 2007, the dam's capacity was down to 37%.<ref>{{cite news |title=Severe drought looms in Swaziland |newspaper=Mail & Guardian |agency=IRIN |date=17 September 2007 |url=http://mg.co.za/article/2007-09-17-severe-drought-looms-in-swaziland}}</ref> In 2015, the water levels at the dam were at a record low,<ref name=PressReader/> and on 20 February 2016, the water storage level was measured at 31%.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/en/system/files/documents/files/swaziland_rapid_assessment_summary_report_2016.pdf |title= Swaziland Drought Assessment Report: Rapid Assessment 2015/15 Season |date=March 2016 |publisher=Deputy Prime Minister's Office}}</ref>

The project displaced about 1000 people.<ref name=CEEEBW/> ==Awards==  The Maguga Dam Joint Venture received a commendation from the South African Association of Consulting Engineers in the category of Engineering Excellence with a value greater than R5 million for 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cesa.co.za/insidetrack/october2007/default.htm |title=Consulting Engineers - We Shape Your World |publisher=South African Association of Consulting Engineers |date=October 2007}}</ref> The dam also won the Concrete Society of Southern Africa's 2003 Fulton Award for Civil Engineering Structures.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.concretesociety.co.za/record-of-the-fulton-award-winners |title=Record of the Fulton Award Winners |publisher=Concrete Society of Southern Africa}}</ref>

== References == {{reflist|30em}}

==External links== {{commons category}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20111007105205/http://www.vke.co.za/projects.htm?action=view-item&id=863 Maguga Dam photo gallery]

Category:Dams in Eswatini Category:Dams completed in 2001 Category:Publicly owned dams