Orange River is the longest river in South Africa. It flows westward across the southern part of the African continent. Sandbars and shallow waters make the Orange River useless for navigation. However, the river serves as an important source of hydroelectric power and provides much-needed water for irrigation projects. In some areas, the gravel of the river contains diamond deposits.
The Orange River rises in the mountains of Lesotho and flows into South Africa. It winds west and northwest for about 1,400 miles (2,300 kilometers). It empties into the South Atlantic Ocean at Alexander Bay. The upper river separates Northern Cape and Eastern Cape provinces from the Free State province. The river then flows across the plateaus of central South Africa to the town of Prieska. From Prieska to the Augrabies Falls, the elevation of the river drops steadily. The lower course of the river stretches from the Augrabies Falls to the western coast, flowing through rugged desert country. The lower section separates Northern Cape Province and Namibia.
Much of the Orange River is narrow, with deep gorges. A large sand bar blocks the mouth of the river and prevents passage by seagoing ships. The river has two major branches, the Vaal and Caledon rivers.
The Orange River was named in honor of the Dutch Prince of Orange in the late 1700’s. Robert J. Gordon, a Dutch military commander in South Africa, chose the name. Africans who lived in the area had called the river the Gariep. During the 1860’s, diamonds were discovered along the river’s course. In 1962, the South African government announced a development plan for the Orange River. Since then, the government has built dams on the river to provide hydroelectric power. It has also built canals and tunnels to irrigate nearby land and to provide flood control.
