The curved wall
Grey concrete.
SkyPixels — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Stuart Bassil from Norwich, England — CC BY 2.0 · Amada44 — Public domain · Christian Wörtz (woertz) — CC BY-SA 2.5 · Graham Maclachlan — CC BY-SA 3.0
Katse Dam is a concrete arch dam on the Malibamatšo River in the Lesotho highlands, Africa's second largest double-curvature arch dam after Ethiopia's Tekezé. It sits just below the confluence of the Bokong River, which forms the western arm of its lake. It is the best known structure of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, visited for its size and the view of the lake among the mountains. The South African engineer Ninham Shand identified the project's potential in 1953 as a way to supply water to the Witwatersrand industrial region of South Africa. The World Bank then arranged a treaty between the two countries that allowed it to go ahead. The dam was completed in 1996, its lake filled in 1997, and a small airport was built nearby for access. You see a huge curved grey concrete wall between two mountains, with water pouring from its outlets into the narrow valley. Behind it a long blue lake winds between green grassy mountains, crossed by a long bridge. From the high roads around it, the whole scene comes into view. It is about 23 km from Thaba-Tseka town in a straight line. A visitor centre usually runs tours inside the dam, so ask about times. Mountain roads wind a lot, and the air is cold.
Grey concrete.
Among mountains.
Over the water.
Malibamatšo River, Lesotho highlands
Tours usually run from the visitor centre, so ask about times.
By mountain road from Maseru in a few hours.