Name of the Project
Clanwilliam dam and irrigation scheme upgrade project.

Location
On the Olifants river, in the Western Cape, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
The stakeholders include the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the Lower Olifants River Water User Association; the Cederberg, Matzikama and West Coast municipalities; the Western Cape provincial government; the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral); and power utility Eskom.

Project Description
This is the second-biggest infrastructure project being undertaken in the Western Cape and is part of the Olifants River Water Resources Project. 

The Clanwilliam dam was built in 1935 and was raised to its current level, with a storage capacity of 128-million cubic metres, in the 1960s.

A feasibility study completed on the project in October 2007 found that raising the wall by 13 m is technically feasible and economically viable. The study also found that the dam needs to be strengthened.

The proposed project will improve the safety of the dam and increase the yearly yield of the dam by 69.5-million cubic metres, of which a portion will be used to assist with the development of resource-poor farmers.

The project will include:

• remedial works to the dam’s foundations;
• the raising and realigning of portions of Old Cape road;
• raising the Algeria road crossing over the Olifants river;
• protecting the N7 towards Citrusdal;
• maintenance of farm roads and residences along Renbaan road;
• upgrading and expanding the conveyance network downstream of Bulshoek dam; and
• other affected infrastructure, including a hydropower plant.

Potential Job Creation
The project has the potential to create about 3 800 permanent jobs.

Capital Expenditure
The project is estimated at R5.7-billion.

Planned Start/End Date
The project is expected to be completed by 2028.

Latest Developments
Progress is being made on raising the Clanwilliam dam wall, and it is expected to be completed by 2028, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has said.

Preconstruction activities at the dam started in 2018 and construction progress was 21% as at March 1, 2025.

The project, which was delayed amid numerous challenges, is one of the megaprojects prioritised nationally.

“I am satisfied with the progress of the project and the multiple work that is running concurrently. This will speed up the completion of the project,” Majodina has said.

“Let us ensure that we accelerate the project so that it can be finalised on time. The project will not only determine the safety of the dam but will also bring economic spin-offs to the area of Clanwilliam and its surroundings.”

The project comprises several components, including the alignment of the N7, which was completed in 2017.

Old Cape Road will also be raised and realigned, together with raising Algeria road that crosses the Olifants river.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Department of Water and Sanitation Director media liaison Wisane Mavasa, tel +27 12 336 8264 or email mavasaw@dws.gov.za.