Inauguration of Phase 1 of LHWP
His Majesty King Letsie III and President Thabo Mbeki officiated at a celebration marking the completion of Phase 1 of the huge multi phased Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) at a ceremony held at Mohale on Tuesday 16th March 2004. The event was at the recently completed Mohale Dam, thus ending implementation of Phase 1 of the LHWP. We also celebrated the LHWP as a Project of the Century as voted by South African Institution of Civil Engineering in November 2003.
Phase 1B comprises Mohale Dam, a 145m High concrete faced rockfill structure on the Senqunyane River, Mohale Tunnel, a 32km structure linking Mohale Dam to Katse Dam and Matsoku Weir and Tunnel, a 6km structure diverting flood water from the Matsoku River into Katse Resevoir.
Mohale Dam is the highest rockfill dam on the African Continent. (Katse Dam is the highest concrete arch dam on the Continent). Construction of Mohale Dam started in 1998 and was completed in 2003. It consists of 7,8 million m3 rock that was placed and compacted before addition of concrete face. Mohale features a flexible outlet structure that ensures high quality water for downstream releases to ensure sustainability of aquatic life.
The inauguration of Phase 1 was a resounding success. The highlights of the day’s celebrations were the unveiling of plaques by two Heads of States, releasing of balloons by Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso followed by spectacular fireworks. Thousands of people were gathered to witness this historic occasion.
Members of the public assembled at the celebrations
Speech by President of the Republic South Africa, Mr. Thabo Mbeki.
Speech by the Minister of Natural Resources of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Mr. Monyane Moleleki.
Pictures from the ceremony and more pictures from the ceremony
For more information please contact LHDA Public Relations at 4th floor Lesotho Bank Tower; Telephone No. 22 311 280 ext 2175; Cell Number, 58 857 202