3rd Vanderkloof Dam Adventure.

 

It is said one must never leap into doing anything without weighing its consequences. But if you are ever presented with an opportunity of sailing, we say don’t even think for a moment and take the plunge, for every journey comes with a promise of adventure and you never know, you will have something worthwhile to share with the world. ⛵️🚤 🌍

Ongoing improvements to the boat

The canopy were enlarged enabling us to stand upright inside.

The roomier interior proved to be a huge improvement. Sliding windows on both sides ensures  good ventilation.

Rear area has canvas coverings and can be zipped open or closed as required. This will be helpfull in rainy or cold conditions, specially when moored at night.

Rear deck can be closed off if needed.

The fibreglass pontoons were replaced by this HDPE type, making them lighter and easier to remove and install. Pontoons are important for roll stability as the boat's keel was removed, enabling us to navigate in shallow waters.

Vanderkloof Dam is the second-largest dam in South Africa (in volume), having the highest dam wall in the country at 108 metres (354 ft). The dam was commissioned in 1977; it has a capacity of 3,187.557 million cubic metres (2,584,195 acre⋅ft) and a surface area of 133.43 square kilometres (51.52 sq mi) when full.

Vanderkloofdam Fishing.

Vanderkloof Dam is the second largest dam in South Africa and offers incredible fishing opportunities in the 13866 ha surface area of the reservoir and the 3255 million cubic meter of water.

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The Orange River has a relative paucity of species diversity. A 2011 survey of 13,762 fish found only 16 species of fish present. Three of these, the common carp, the Mozambique tilapia, and the western mosquitofish are not indigenous.

Another exotic species, rainbow trout, is found in the river headwaters in Lesotho.

 

Five species are found in the Orange River system:

• Rock-catfish (Austroglanis sclateri) - Occurs in rocky habitats in flowing water, favoring rapids. Feeds on invertebrates, especially insects, taken from rock surfaces. In Afrikaans this fish is known as the Klip Barber, and is common throughout the Vaal and Orange rivers, where many Yellowfish fly anglers often hook into this strange fish. It has a sucker shaped, downwards pointing mouth, that is used to feed on the surfaces of rocks, where it readily eats insects, crustaceans, and invertebrates. The larger fish will even eat smaller species, such as the Threespot Barb, when the opportunity presents itself.

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• Smallmouth yellowfish (Labeobarbus aeneus) - The smallmouth yellowfish is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Labeobarbus. 

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• Largemouth yellowfish (Labeobarbus kimberlyensis) - The largemouth yellowfish or Vaal-Orange largemouth yellowfish is a ray-finned fish species in the family Cyprinidae. This large freshwater barb is found in southern Africa. It has long been placed in Barbus, the "wastebin genus" for barbs, by default; however, the species is increasingly being restored to related yellowfish genus Labeobarbus which seems a much more appropriate placement. It is probably hexaploid like the other yellowfish. 

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• Orange River Mudfish (Labeo capensis) - Orange River Mudfish is a species of fish in genus Labeo. It inhabits the Orange River system of southern Africa. Occurs in a variety of habitats: quiet well vegetated backwaters, standing open waters, flowing open waters, sandy-rocky stretches and rocky rapids. Their preferred habitat is flowing rocky channels. Bottom feeder which grazes algae and organic detritus. Breeds in summer, gathering in large numbers in shallow rocky rapids where eggs are laid. Larvae hatch after 3 or 4 days. May live up to 8 or 9 years

• Moggel (Labeo umbratus) is a freshwater African fish in genus Labeo. It occurs within the drainage basin of the Orange River. The species has been recorded in the [Vaal], Olifants River in Mpumalanga and Limpopo, introduced there by anglers. This species is similar to L. capensis in colour and in its pronounced anterior barbels. It can withstand temperatures below 10 °C and is mainly found in stagnant water, muddy dams and in large impoundments. Juveniles of the species prey on invertebrates while adults subsist on detritus and mud. It is an important food source and is considered a useful species in wastewater aquaculture when combined with other aquatic organisms.

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We want to explore most all of the waters this year.

 Die ideë is om die hele dam behoorlik te verken.
 

 04/04/23: Vanderkloof dam level is at 98% full.

Above 100% full the waterline shore reaches into the surrounding bush and trees, limiting suitable docking areas. With  last year's trip the water reached 105% full and we were lucky to have found places to go ashore safely. 

We spent the day on Friday the 7th of April 2023 preparing and packing for the trip. With a good ride behind us, we arrive at Vanderloofdam boat club harbor on Saturday afternoon. A severe thunderstorm hits us and hinders our attempt to launch and repack the boat. We decide to take it easy and spend the night in the boat by the water. Sunday's weather gave us a chance to launch the boat, repack everything and take the boat for a test ride. We tied the boat to the jetty and spent the night there in the harbor. The storm made for breathtakingly beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

  👀  Youtube video👇

First leg of the journey.

Ons het Vrydag die 7de April 2023 die dag spandeer om voor te berei en te pak vir die trip. Met n goeie rit agter die rug arriveer ons Saterdag namiddag by Vanderloofdam bootklub hawe. n Erge donderstorm tref ons en hinder ons poging vir boot te water laat en oorpak. Ons besluit om rustig te wees en in die boot langs die water te oornag. Sondag se weer het ons kans gegee om die boot te water te laat, alls oor te pak en die boot vir n toetsrit te neem. Ons het die boot teen die jetty vasgemaak en daar in die hawe oornag. Die onweer het gesorg vir asemrowende mooi sonsopkomste en ondergange. 

Storms kom en gaan, ons kan dit nie beheer nie maar na die storms is die reënboog die teken waarmee God die mens verseker dat n Wêreldvloed nie weer herhaal sal word nie. Storms laat ons net weer besef hoe kwesbaar die mensdom is. 🌈

n Besonderse voorreg om op n plek te kan wees waar die natuur gerespekteer móet word, waar jy tot die elemente bloodgestel word en noodgedwonge die weer vir veiligheid móet dophou, en só  baie meer tyd spandeer om die mooi daarvan te beleef. Son elektriese aandrywing is besonders uniek, ongekompliseerd en verbasend effektief. 

Fantasties!, Alle veiligheid op die waters is tot die beste van ons vermoëns nagekom, ingeboek en veilig op ons boot. Met die weervoorspelling deeglik bestudeer vir die volgende paar  dae en genoeg kos en water is ons só gereed as wat ons moontlik kan wees. Sodra die hawe verlaat word is ons op ons eie, die enorme waters, berge, klowe en valleie vir onsself! Onbeskryflike opgewondenheid en ons word een met die natuur. Geen woorde of fotos kan die werklikheid deeglik beskryf nie. n Ongekende vryheids gevoel  kom ons tegemoed.

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Monday morning at first light we sailed out of the harbor and followed the flow of the Orange River upstream to where the first and largest dam forms. There we turned right, heading southwest. These were new territories we had not explored before and the excitement was palpable in our minds. Further on, the heads made a narrowing in the big waters and then the waters widened again to where they end on the horizon against the ridges. At the narrowing, however, there were signs of dead tree tops and the depth also became shallower. Although we had carried two extra motors, there is no spare propeller for our main drive motor and we decided again to rather turn north-east towards inland waters. I aimed between an island and the east coast in the direction of the large island that lies against the Orange's course. This is where we saw a herd of Gemsbok and some Kudus. We made excellent progress, the new pontoons that barely touch the water probably cause less drag and up to 10km/pu was achieved downwind! We sailed further upstream in the Hondeblaf River to the right. The mountains and cliffs in this area are very beautiful and it was also the first time we explored them. About eight kilometers on this incoming river was sailed. A northwesterly wind initially helped us, but in the afternoon it turned west and the forecast for the night and morning was a southerly wind. With the help of a pair of binoculars we spotted a small bay that was heading towards the east and went to investigate. There were lots of smallish round rocks and we approached "dead slow" and ran aground safely. Ronel made a pot of corn porridge while I started grilling our seasoned boneless chicken thighs and steak on the coals of the drift wood fire. We christened this first camping evening's bay "Goose Bay", because just as we got out of the boat we saw a young goose run from the field to the water. However, he ran so fast that at first I thought it was  Guinea fowl! When he reached the water, he swam away with full force so that the water splashed so much that he only felt safe and calmed down about 200 meters further. We had a good laugh at the poor frightened young Egyptian goose.🦆

Maandag oggend met eerste lig het ons uit die hawe gevaar en die vloei van die Oranjerivier stroomop gevolg tot waar die eerste en grootste dam vorm. Daar het ons regs ingedraai, suidweswaarts. Dit was nuwe gebiede wat ons nog nie voorheen verken het nie en die opgewondenheid was merkbaar in ons gemoedere. Verder aan het die koppe n vernouing in die groot waters gemaak en daarna het die waters weer verbreed tot waar dit op die horison teen die rante eindig. By die vernouing was daar egter tekens van dooie boomtoppe en die diepte het ook al vlakker geword. Alhoewel ons twee ekstra motors saamgedra het, is daar nie n spaar propeller vir ons hoof aandrywer motor nie en ons her besluit om liewers noordoos binnewaters toe te draai. Ek het tussen n eieland en die oosoewer deurgemik in die rigting van die groot eiland wat teen die Oranje se loop le. Dis hier waar ons n trop Gemsbokke en n paar Kudus gesien het. Ons het uitstekend gevorder, die nuwe pontoons wat net-net die water raak veroorsaak waarskynlik minder sleur en tot 10km/pu was windaf gehaal! 

Ons het verder stroomop in die Hondeblafrivier regs uitgevaar. Die berge en kranse in hierdie gebied is baie mooi en dit was ook die eerste keer dat ons dit verken. Ongeveer agt kilometer op hierdie inkomende rivier is uitgevaar.

n Noordwestewind het ons aanvanklik aangehelp maar namiddag het dit wes gedraai en die voorspelling vir die nag en oggend was n Suidewind. Met die hulp van n verkyker het ons n klein baai wat inwig teen koppe die ooste gewaar en gaan ondersoek instel. Daar was baie kleinerige ronde klippe en ons het "dead slow" genader en veilig gestrand. Ronel het n potjie mieliepap gemaak terwyl ek vir ons gegeurde beenlose hoenrerdye asook steak op die drift wood vuur se kole begin braai het. Ons het hierdie eerste kamp aand se baai "Gansbaai" gedoop, want net toe ons uit die boot klim het ons n jong kolgans uit die veld sien hardloop water toe. Hy het egter so vinnig gehardloop dat ek aanvanklik gedink het dis n Tarentaal! Toe hy die water bereik swem hy volkrag weg dat die water so spad en eers sowat 200meter verder het hy veilig gevoel en bedaar. Ons het lekker gelag vir die arme verskrikte  jong Kolgans.

Die trip het ook met die eerste been twee nuwe rekords vir die Sonboot opgestel, naamlik,1)  "Spoed" met meer as 10km/u en 2)  "Afstand" met verste per dag ooit afgele, naamlik 56km!

Die hoofdam vanwaar ons die trip begin het. Die damwal lê vêr op die horison.

Ontbyt op die boot, voorberei deur Ronél so terwyl ons vaar.

Visarende kom dikwels voor. Ons was weereens gelukkig om te sien hoe só n Arend n vis uit die water vang.

Oral verras die natuur, soos hierdie enkele groot boom in n perfek gevormde inham in die koppe.

Die groot dam verder stroomop vorm n vernouing en verbreed dan weer en eindig baie vêr teen die suide horison.

Wild was gereëld teëgekom.

Die area waar die Hondeblafrivier invloei is gekenmerk met n baie groot oppervlak diep water en die berg se kranse daar het n uitsteeksel wat soos n mens standbeeld lyk wat wagstaan by die ingangspoort.

Erosie is gedemp met die rotsagtige formasie van die berge. Hier het erosie n kleurvolle merk gelaat.

Met die hulp van n vêrkyker kon ons hierdie baai vind. Hier was ons teen die Suidewind vir die nag beskerm.

Phillip en Ronél met die Sonboot in gansbaai (so vernoem na n verskrikte jong Kolgans wat ons daar gesien het)

Elke namiddag is baie spesiaal, soos die skadus langer word begin die kleure verander en dis n wonderlike skouspel om te beleef!

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The next morning was cool and the wind was light from the south as predicted. We entered the great waters and once again went on the exploration. In the next dam section, we sailed along the north bank and saw a lot of wildlife, Zebras, Waterbucks, Gemsbucks and White-crested Eagles up on the cliffs. We tried to sail around an island to see a creek mouth but it got too shallow and we entered deep water again. Once again progress was excellent and by early afternoon we were able to reach the first dam that forms Vanderkloof, 65km from the starting point. We immediately sailed upstream on the Orange and went to visit the waterfall, but to our disappointment it was dry! We had to be protected from the south-easterly wind for the night and sought shelter on the east coast of the first dam. Once again the binoculars were used and we were able to find a nice place to go ashore. There were some big rocks sticking out of the water but we could safely beach between them. A buffalo skeleton was found near the mooring place and thus we named it the Skull Coast and Buffalo Bay. This is also where I caught my very first fish in Vanderkloofdam!
Grilled buns (tomato and onions) with steak was dinner. At bedtime it was Old Brown Sherry (OBS), which always ensures a good night's rest.

Die volgende oggend was koel en die wind was lig suid soos voorspel was. Ons het die groot waters betree en weereens met die verkenningstog aangegaan. In die volgende dam gedeelte het ons al teen die noordoewer gevaar en baie wild gesien, Zebras, Waterbokke, Gemsbokke en Witkruisarende bo teen die kranse. Ons het gepoog om om n eiland te vaar om n spruitmonding te gaan besigtig maar dit het te vlak geraak en ons het weer diepwaters betree. Weereens was vordering uitstekend en ons kon teen vroegmiddag die eerste dam wat Vanderkloof vorm bereik, 65km van die beginpunt af. Ons het dadelik stroomop met die Oranje uitgevaar en die waterval gaan besoek, maar tot ons teleurstelling was dit droog! Ons moes vir die nag teen die suidoostewind beskerm wees en het in die eerste dam se ooskus skuiling gaan soek. Weereens was die verkyker ingespan en ons kon n mooi plek vind om aan wal te gaan. Daar was n paar groot rotse wat uit die water gesteek het maar ons kon veilig tussen hulle strand. n Buffelgeraamte was naby die vasmeer plek gevind en sodoende het ons dit die Skedelkus en Buffelsbaai gedoop. Dis ook hier waar ek my heel eerste vis op Vanderkloofdam gevang het!

Braaibroodjies( tamatie en uie ) met steak was aandete. Slaaptyd was dit Old Brown Sherry(OBS) wat altyd n goeie nagrus inwy.

Waterbokke, ook bekend as Kringgatte.

Die wit kalkagtige kleur wys dat n waterval uit die rotse vloei na reënbuie.

Verlede jaar se kampplek in die eerste dam wat Vandetkloof vorm, ongeveer 65km. van die damwal af. Meer oop naby die bome vanjaar agv. n laer waterlyn.

Dié waterval het met die vorige trip sterk gevloei. Dit is weggesteek in n kloof en gladnie sigbaar vanuit die Oranjerivier nie.

n Buffelgeraamte naby ons kampplek.🐃

My heel eerste vis in Vanderkloofdam gevang! 🐟😅

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English

Excitement for the third day's exploration was high, the cruise on the incoming Orange River was something we had wanted to do for a long time and the weather conditions were good! At first light, we turned the solar panels towards the sun and kept against the south bank to take advantage of the first rays of sunlight that came over the mountains. Before long we were able to sail at full power and also with a light wind from behind. The changing landscape with cliffs that sink into the water, trees that grow and survive in solid rocks, Badgers that scramble in their dozens on the rocks and a large Rock monitor with which we cross paths in the water was a unique and unforgettable experience. Signs of waterfalls in the cliffs were often seen, we could only imagine what it would look like after a downpour.
After about fifteen kilometers out it began to shallow and many upwellings in the water were noticed. We decided to turn around and sail back to the first dam. The westerly wind started to blow stronger against us and caused nice big waves. In full sun we were not worried and could maintain up to six kilometers per hour. At the first dam we had to brave big waves and had to sail through the basin to the West Bank for protection. Weathered stone ensured nice exits and we were sheltered there from the strong wind. With plenty of driftwood on hand, there were soon coals for the braai of Pork Chops and Boerewors.

Opwinding vir die derde dag se verkenning was hoog, die uitvaar op die inkomende Oranjerivier was iets wat ons lankal wou doen en die weerskondisies was goed! Met eerste lig het ons die Solar panele sonkant toe gedraai en al teen die suidoewer gehou om die eerste sonstrale wat oor die berge lek te benut. Kort voor lank kon ons volkrag vaar en ook met n ligte wind van agter. Die veranderende landskap met kranse wat tot in die water inwig, bome wat in soliede rotse groei en oorleef, dassies wat in hul tientalle op die rotse skarrel en n groot Likewaan waarmee ons paaie kruis in die water was n unieke en onvergeetlike ondervinding. Tekens van watervalle in die kranse was gereeld gesien, ons kan net  wonder hoe dit sou lyk na n reenbui.

Na ongeveer vyftien kilometers uit het dit begin vlakker word en baie opdrifsels in die water was opgemerk. Ons het besluit om om te draai en terug na die eerste dam te vaar. Die westewind het al sterker teen ons begin waai en lekker groot golwe veroorsaak. Met volson was ons nie bekommerd nie en kon tot ses kiloketer per uur handhaaf. By die eerste dam moes ons groot golwe trotseer en moes deur die dam vaar na die Wesoewer vir beskerming. Verweerde klip het mooi uitgangs plekke verseker en ons was daar beskut  teen die fris wind.  Met baie dryfhout byderhand was daar gou-gou kole vir die braai van Varktjops en Boerewors.

Nee, nie n ou Inka murasie nie, ook het dit geen verbintenis met die Egiptiese Piramides nie, ook is die rotsplante nie deur die dorpsraad tuinuitleggers daar geplant nie. Hierdie unieke muur is ontwerp en uitgelê deur ons Hemelse Vader wie vir ons die oë en vermoë gegee het om dit te kan sien en waardeer. Wat n voorreg!

Al hang ek aan my wortels, ek is die kans gegun om te lewe, so ek byt vas en maak die beste van wat ek het, ek gaan nerens nie, my wortels is ingegrendel in Moeder Aarde, net op genade van Bo maak ek staat. Ek kyk op en fokus op die Ewige Rots.

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From the sheltered bay we slowly set sail at first light and began to follow the course of the Orange downstream. It was soon clear that we had a fresh wind against us and that rough waters greeted us. With full sun we were able to sail at full power early on but with a reduced speed due to the wind against us. Regardless, we once again made excellent progress and by three o'clock in the afternoon we were just past the large island and in the open waters of the largest dam section in Vanderkloofdam. Here the waves were quite big and the wind was very strong, right from the front and this reduced our speed to five kilometers per hour. With more than two hours of sailing to the boat club and the fact that it was already three o'clock, we decided to look for shelter for the night on the North Shore, at a place where we had a good time camping last year. With a little lower water this year, the mooring was just outside the trees. Big balls of cow dung (possibly buffalo dung) were everywhere and we had to carry them away to one side. In the reclaimed stone beach we found interesting traces. The tracks were visible from the waterline through the soft weathered stone and also under a nearby bush. To our surprise we found a large Mountain Tortoise there!
The wind was unpleasant, but we were well sheltered from the North and North-West winds. Ronél made us a delicious Pasta and Bacon dish.
In the early evening the wind turned more southerly and waves were blowing towards the land. The water level also rose during the night and caused the boat to start floating and the mooring ropes had to be constantly adjusted. It was little sleep with the result that I decided to launch the boat early in the dark morning. I got the anchor ready in case we needed it. The anchor would be dropped if the batteries' power would give in while we held in the deeper waters until the sun made its appearance. (The boat is a day cruiser, a Sunboat, not a battery boat)
Forty minutes before sunrise, the boat was launched amidst huge waves that threatened to wash us onto the beach! The sun was also behind a head and had to climb over it before its light would reach the Sunboat. With the previous afternoon's sunlight, the batteries were fully charged and we hid behind an island about eight hundred meters away in deep water until the visible light improved so that we could start sailing. The third record for the Sunboat on this year's trip, namely, "The earliest (Darkest) start ever for the Sunboat"

Vanuit die beskermde baai het ons stadig met eerste lig uitgevaar en die loop van die Oranje begin volg stroomaf. Dit was gou duidelik dat ons n fris wind teen ons het en dat rowwe waters ons begroet. Met volson kon ons vroeg al teen volkrag vaar maar met n verminderde spoed as gevolg van die wind teen ons. Nie teen staande het ons weereens uitstekend gevorder en teen drie uur agtermiddag was ons net verby die groot eiland en in die oop waters van die grootste dam gedeelte in Vanderkloofdam. Hier was die golwe nogal groot en die wind was baie sterk, reg van voor en dit het ons spoed gedemp na vyf kilometer per uur. Met meer as twee ure se vaar tot by die bootklub en die feit dat dit reeds drie uur was het ons besluit om skuiling vir die nag te gaan soek aan die Noordoewer, op n plek waar ons verledejaar lekker gekamp het. Met n bietjie laer water vanjaar was die vasmeerplek net buite die bome. Groot bolle Beesmis( moontlik Buffelmis) was oral en ons moes dit wegdra eenkant toe. In die werweerde klipstrand het ons interessante spore gevind. Die spore was van die waterlyn deur die sagte werweerde klip en ook onder n nabygelee bos in sigbaar. Tot ons verbasing het ons n groot Bergskilpad daar gevind!

Die wind was onplesierig, maar ons was goed beskud teen die Noord en Noordweste winde. Ronel het vir ons n heerlike Pasta en Bacon gereg gemaak. 

Vroegaand het die wind al meer suid gedraai en  golwe land toe gewaai. Die watervlak het ook gedurende die nag gestyg en veroorsaak dat die boot begin dryf het en die vasmeer toue gedurig verstel moes word. Dit was maar min slaap met die gevolg dat ek besluit het om vroeg, in die donker  oggend die boot te water te laat. Ek het die anker gereed gekry indien ons dit sou nodig kry. Die anker sou gegooi word indien die batterye se krag sou ingee terwyl ons in die dieper waters hou tot die son sy verskyning maak.( Die boot is n dag cruiser, n Sonboot, nie n battery boot nie) 

Veertig minute voor Sonop is die boot te water gelaat te midde van groot golwe wat gedreig het om ons op die strand uit te spoel! Die son was ook agter n kop en moes eers oor dit klim voor sy lig die Sonboot sou bereik. Met die vorige namiddag se sonlig was die batterye vol gelaai kon ons tot agter n klein eiland sowat agt honderd meter verder in diep water gaan skuil totdat die sigbare lig so verbeter het dat ons kon begin vaar. Die derde rekord vir die Sonboot op vanjaar se trip, naamlik, " Die vroegste( Donkerste) begin vaar ooit vir die Sonboot"

Dié spore het ons na n bos gelei waar ons n Bergskilpad gevind het!

Elke namiddag word die "Bosveld-TV" aangeskakel.👨‍❤️‍👨👐

Iemand moes die groot bolle Buffelmis optel en eenkant gooi😷🤣

Alhoewel ons vêr in ongerepte natuur was het die moderne Wêreld oral sy stempel afgedruk!✈️🛰

Na ons rond dobber agter die klein eiland het ons stadig na die oop waters van die groot dam gevaar. Met die Sonboot se neus na die noorde gemik en die sonpanele na die ooste gedraai het ons met n fris suidewind van agter goeie vordering gemaak terug na die Bootklub hawe. Ons het weer aan die jetty gemeer, later by n plaaslike eetplek onsself bederf en later namiddag die boot uit die water gehaal en alles wat nodig was oorgepak in die motorkar. Die aand in ons boot op die trailer geslaap en die volgende dag n goeie trip huistoe gehad. 

Waarheen volgende.... ????

Next = 👇

4th Vanderkloof Dam Adventure