Hazelmere Dam

Hazelmere Dam

Hazelmere Dam, built on the Mdloti River in KwaZulu-Natal during the mid-1970s, is a vital water supply scheme serving the fast-growing North Coast. Originally constructed as a 44-metre high, 478-metre long concrete gravity dam, it was designed with future expansion in mind. Over time, rising demand and sedimentation reduced its effective storage, which set the stage for a major upgrade that would secure water for communities stretching from Verulam to KwaDukuza.

The Department of Water and Sanitation embarked on a project to raise the dam wall by seven metres and install the world’s tallest piano key weir, more than doubling storage capacity and dramatically improving flood handling. To stabilise the structure, engineers installed 83 permanent rock anchors, some of the highest-capacity anchors in the world. This blend of innovative engineering and robust construction methods has transformed Hazelmere into one of South Africa’s most advanced dams.

At the heart of this achievement was the use of high-quality reinforcing steel. Barnes Reinforcing Industries supplied and fabricated rebar and mesh essential to the dam wall’s strength and durability. Their steel reinforcement provided the tensile backbone needed for the massive concrete pours and anchoring systems, ensuring the upgraded Hazelmere Dam can withstand decades of service. The inclusion of Barnes Reinforcing products highlights the critical role of local expertise and capability in delivering infrastructure of national importance.