{{Short description|Major river in Lesotho and South Africa}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}} {{Infobox river | name = Mohokare | native_name = | name_other = | name_etymology = <!---------------------- IMAGE & MAP --> | image = | image_size = | image_caption = | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 6 | mapframe-wikidata = yes | mapframe-point = none | map_size = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = South Africa | pushpin_map_size = | pushpin_map_caption = Location of the Caledon River mouth <!---------------------- LOCATION -->| subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = Lesotho, South Africa | subdivision_type2 = State | subdivision_name2 = Free State | subdivision_type3 = | subdivision_name3 = | subdivision_type4 = City | subdivision_name4 = Maputsoe | subdivision_type5 = City | subdivision_name5 = Maseru <!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS -->| length = {{convert|642|km|mi|abbr=on}} | width_min = | width_avg = | width_max = | depth_min = | depth_avg = | depth_max = | discharge1_location = | discharge1_min = | discharge1_avg = | discharge1_max = <!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES --> | source1 = Mont-aux-Sources | source1_location = SW of Phuthaditjhaba, Drakensberg | source1_coordinates = | source1_elevation = {{convert|2100|m|abbr=on}} | mouth = Orange River | mouth_location = Near Bethulie | mouth_coordinates = {{coord|30|31|21|S|26|4|21|E|display=inline,title}} | mouth_elevation = {{convert|1267|m|abbr=on}} | progression = | river_system = | basin_size = | tributaries_left = | tributaries_right = | custom_label = | custom_data = | extra = | district = }} The '''Caledon River''' ({{langx|st|Mohokare}}) is a major river located in central South Africa. Its total length is {{cvt|642|km}}, 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 river was originally named ''Prinses Wilhelminas Rivier'' in 1777, by Colonel R J Gordon.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Raper |first=P.E. |url=https://languagecentre.sun.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/SaPlaceNamesDictionary1987.pdf |title=Dictionary of South African Place Names |date=1987 |pages=105}}</ref>
==Geography== 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 {{convert|480|km|abbr=on}}, and its valley experiences great temperature swings.<ref name=Britannica>{{cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Caledon-River |title=Caledon River |work=Encyclopædia Britannica |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica |accessdate=26 November 2016}}</ref> The land in the wedge between Caledon River and Orange River forms the 22,000-ha Tussen-die-Riviere Nature Reserve.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.places.co.za/html/tussen_die_riviere.html |title=Tussen Die Riviere Game Reserve |publisher=SA Places |accessdate=26 November 2016}}</ref>
==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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ewisa.co.za/misc/RiverFSCaledon/CALEDONRiver_Dams%20.htm# |title=Caledon River - Dams |access-date=22 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203003111/http://www.ewisa.co.za/misc/RiverFSCaledon/CALEDONRiver_Dams%20.htm# |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In 2003, water was released from here to avert drought.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.info.gov.za/speeches/2003/03102210461001.htm# |title=Drought |access-date=5 August 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310201737/http://www.info.gov.za/speeches/2003/03102210461001.htm# |archive-date=10 March 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Coplan, David B. |year=2001 |title=A river runs through it: The meaning of the Lesotho‐free state border |journal=African Affairs |volume=100 |issue=398 |pages=81–116 |doi= 10.1093/afraf/100.398.81 }}</ref> Maize is grown on a large scale in the Caledon Valley.<ref name=Britannica/>
==See also== *Basutoland
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20071025125021/http://www.environment.gov.za/soer/reports/rivers/free%20state/Free%20State.pdf Free State Region River Systems]
{{Rivers of South Africa}} {{Rivers of Lesotho}} {{authority control}}
Category:Tributaries of the Orange River Category:Rivers of Lesotho Category:International rivers of Africa Category:Lesotho–South Africa border Category:Rivers of the Free State (province) Category:Border rivers