Albert Falls Dam

Albert Falls Dam is a dam in the Umgeni River, just outside Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was established in 1976. It has a gross capacity of 290.1 million cubic meters and a surface area of 23.521 square kilometres (9.082 sq mi), the dam wall is 33 metres (108 ft) high.

Albert Falls Dam
Location of Albert Falls Dam in KwaZulu-Natal
Official nameAlbert Falls Dam
CountrySouth Africa
LocationNear Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
Coordinates29°26′10″S 30°23′18″E
PurposeIrrigation and domestic
Opening date1976
Owner(s)Department of Water Affairs
Dam and spillways
Type of damEarth fill dam
ImpoundsUmgeni River
Height33 metres (108 ft)
Length2,006 metres (6,581 ft)
Reservoir
CreatesAlbert Falls Dam Reservoir
Total capacity290.1 million cubic metres (10.24×10^9 cu ft)
Surface area2,350 hectares (5,800 acres)

A lake-wide bloom of the dinoflagellate Ceratium hirundinella, discovered in Albert Falls Dam in October 2006, exposed a significant ecological change indicative of reduced water quality in this historically mesotrophic reservoir. The spatial distribution of the bloom was examined synoptically in October 2006 and January 2007.[1]

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This dam is used for fishing, swimming, boating, waterskiing, kneeboarding, sailing, and other water activities. The water is brown and murky.

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