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A visit to the ‘Desert Dragon’ called Namibia

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The Neckartal Dam is one of Africa’s Mind blowing projects that proves a point “ anything is possible.”

It was built in the middle of the desert with no trees, grass or anything promising.

Many people believed it was not possible to complete such a project so it was given a Nickname, the “Desert Dragon.”

This engineering marvel is not only the largest dam in Namibia, covering an impressive surface area of approximately 25 square kilometers, but it is also the second largest Desert dam in Africa after “Aswan high dam” An Egyptian Desert Dam.

The Neckartal Dam is Situated about 40 kilometers northwest of Keetmanshoop, the dam plays a vita role in transforming the dry, rugged terrain into a fertile oasis.

The primary purpose of the Neckartal dam Is irrigation. Water from the dam is released into the Fish River, which flows downstream for about 13 kilometers, where it can be abstracted for agricultural use.

This strategic design ensures that the surrounding areas can benefit from a reliable water supply, fostering agricultural growth and enhancing the potential for agri Tourism projects.

The Neckartal Dam is expected to support an expansive irrigation scheme covering 5,000 hectares (12,000 acres) of land.

The idea of constructing a dam in this region dates back to the era of German colonization.

However, it wasn’t until Namibia gained independence in 1990 that serious planning for the Neckartal Dam began.

In March 2012, the Italian construction company Salini Impregilo was awarded the tender to build the dam, valued at 2.8 billion Namibian dollars.

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However, the project faced setbacks when a legal challenge from a competing firm prompted the withdrawal of the tender.

Fortunately, the contract was re awarded to Salini Impregilo in August 2013, and construction commenced shortly thereafter.

Despite many challenges, the Neckartal Dam was finally completed in October 2018, marking a significant milestone in Namibia’s infrastructure development.

After completion, the dam entered a filling phase that lasted another two years.

The anticipation surrounding the dam’s impact on the region grew, and on January 19, 2021, the Neckartal Dam overflowed for the first time.

This event was not merely an evidence to the engineering prowess behind the dam, but also a symbol of hope for the local communities that had long awaited the benefits of this monumental project.

The Neckartal Dam stands as a beacon of innovation and resilience in a country often challenged by drought and water scarcity.

Its successful operation has reshaped the agricultural landscape of southern Namibia, and encouraging other African Countries to take a Step in preparing for the unknown in the world crippled with climate change.


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