Caledon River

Caledon (Mohokare)
River
Countries	Lesotho, South Africa
City	Maseru
Mouth	Orange River

The Caledon River (Sotho: Mohokare) is located in south-east Africa, rising in the Drakensberg Mountains in Lesotho. Origin in the former bantustan of QwaQwa, near the border with Lesotho, southwest of Witsieshoek. It then flows south-west, marking the border with South Africa and Lesotho before entering South Africa's Free State province (north of Wepener). It then flows West before meeting the Orange River near Bethulie in southern Free State, just before the Gariep Dam.

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, reservoirs have been created with structures such as the Muela Dam. In 2003 water was released from here to avert drought. [1]

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. (See History of Lesotho and Basutoland.)

Dams in South Africa

• Knellpoort Dam, on a tributary called Rietspruit
• Welbedacht Dam, a major water source for Bloemfontein and surroundings, situated inside the Caledon Nature Reserve

Coordinates: 30°31′S 26°05′E / 30.517°S 26.083°E / -30.517; 26.083