Brandvlei Dam

Brandvlei Dam is an earth-fill type dam on the Lower Brandvlei River in Western Cape, South Africa. It was completed in 1983 and the inlet is the Holsloot river.

The Brandvlei Dam, 15 km south of Worcester, is often referred to as the Greater Brandvlei Dam. When both it and the adjacent Kwaggaskloof Dams are full, the “wall” as it is known that divides them is submerged, making it one massive impoundment with a capacity of 458 million cubic metres. It is reputedly the best smallmouth bass fishing area in the country. "Brandvlei" or "The Burning Marsh" was named after the regular view of steam rising from the rivulet flowing into the dam, especially during early mornings.^[1]

Towards the northwest you will find Brandvlei Prison, which contains a hot spring with temperatures up to 45 °C, the hottest in South Africa. The Table Mountain Group hot water springs vary between 35 °C and 45 °C. The water at the nearby Goudini and the Brandvlei hot springs is classified as "pure" by virtue of its low content of dissolved mineral matter. You cannot visit this hot spring voluntarily (unfortunately it is situated inside the prison area).

Recreation

Launching and camping facilities are available at both Brandvlei and Kwaggaskloof Dams.^[2]

Water sports

The water varies from quite murky after heavy rains to clear in the summer months. Boat traffic can be heavy, it's a popular venue for water skiers, inflatable boat races are sometimes held on the dam, this can cause havoc for bass anglers.^[3] The Worcester Yacht Club is situated at the Brandvlei Dam.

Angling

Kwaggaskloof (sometimes spelled Quaggaskloof) and Brandvlei Dam is considered by many to be one of the prime Smallmouth bass waters in South Africa, some would argue that it is “the” prime smallmouth lake. Regardless, the lake is certainly one that has some big smallmouth bass, until recently it was the holder of the South African record, a fish of 3.23 kg (7 lbs) caught on a crawdad coloured soft plastic worm in 4 metres (12 foot) of water in September 1998. The "wall" is an excellent spot to catch big Smallmouth Bass, fish of 2.5 to 3 kg are regularly taken along its length.

Structure is not immediately apparent on this lake but it is there, much of it is in the form of deeper ridges, channels, drop-ofs, points, old quarries and humps, a boat is a pretty much essential to fish Kwaggskloof properly and anglers need to be willing and able to read their electronics. Visible structure is there, it is just not that obvious, mainly along the South Western bank, this is also where largemouth bass are more likely to fall to a well placed spinnerbait or shallow running crankbait. Another choice piece of structure is an old road that runs into the lake in the most Southerly corner of the dam, partially exposed at low water, it's usually submerged and can easily be missed.

See also

• List of reservoirs and dams in South Africa
• List of rivers of South Africa

References

• List of South African Dams from the Department of Water Affairs