Maguga Dam
title: "Maguga Dam" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["dams-in-eswatini", "dams-completed-in-2001", "publicly-owned-dams"] topic_path: "general/dams-in-eswatini" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maguga_Dam" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox dam"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Maguga Dam |
| image | Maguga Dam at Komati River, Eswatini.jpg |
| name_official | Maguga Dam |
| dam_crosses | Komati River |
| res_name | Maguga Dam Reservoir |
| location | Hhohho, Eswatini |
| dam_height | 115 m |
| dam_type | earth-fill/rock-fill |
| opening | 2001 |
| res_capacity_total | 332,000,000m³ |
| coordinates | |
| location_map | Eswatini |
| :: |
| 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 = | extra = | website = | location_map = Eswatini
The Maguga Dam is a dam on the Komati River in Eswatini. It is 115 m high and is located about 12 km south of Piggs Peak. It was built as a joint project of the governments of South Africa and Eswatini. As of 2005, it was the largest public works project ever undertaken by Eswatini. The dam was completed in mid-2001. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/Maguga_dam.jpg"] ::
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.) but a hydroelectric power station with a capacity of 20 MW (generated from two units, each with a capacity of 9.9 MW) was to be completed in October 2006.
Description
Maguga is a "clay-core rockfill embankment dam". It has an overall height of 115 m, a crest length of 870 m and a base width of 400 m. There is a 181 m-long labyrinth spillway.
Water levels and displacement
Droughts have caused major problems. In 2007, the dam's capacity was down to 37%. In 2015, the water levels at the dam were at a record low,
The project displaced about 1000 people.
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. The dam also won the Concrete Society of Southern Africa's 2003 Fulton Award for Civil Engineering Structures.
References
References
- "Details of submission: Independent Monitoring of Maguga Dam Resettlement". [[United Nations Environment Programme]].
- "Maguga Dam: Mpumalanga_Swaziland ''(sic)''". eWISA, an arm of the Water Institute of Southern Africa.
- "Profile: The Komati Basin Water Authority (KOBWA)". Komati Basin Water Authority.
- (30 November 2005). "Swaziland: New dams to be built to boost irrigation". [[ReliefWeb]].
- (2005). "Swaziland: Water Report 29: 2005". [[Food and Agriculture Organization]].
- "How We Generate Electricity". Eswatini Electricity Company.
- Bodwa Mbingo. "Drying Up Maguga Dam a Nightmare to Residents".
- "Maguga Dam on the Komati River, Swaziland". [[Aurecon]].
- (17 September 2007). "Severe drought looms in Swaziland". [[Mail & Guardian]].
- (October 2007). "Consulting Engineers - We Shape Your World". South African Association of Consulting Engineers.
- "Record of the Fulton Award Winners". Concrete Society of Southern Africa.
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