Vaal River

The Vaal River is the largest tributary of the Orange River in South Africa.

Related Topics:
Orange River - South Africa

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It rises in the Drakensberg mountains east of Johannesburg and forms the boundary between Transvaal and the Orange Free State before joining the Orange southwest of Kimberley and is 1120km in length. The name Vaal comes from Afrikaans, and means "pale", which alludes to the greyish colors of its waters, especially noticed during flood season when much silt is carried.

Related Topics:
Drakensberg - Johannesburg - Transvaal - Orange Free State - Kimberley - Afrikaans

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Water is drawn from it to meet the industrial needs of the Witwatersrand and a large part of the Free State Province. As a part of the Vaal-Hartz Scheme it is a major source of water for irrigation.

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