In order to make more water available to users on the lower Orange river, a new dam would be considered at Noordoewer/Vioolsdrif to regulate water releases into the estuary.
The dam would also be able to mitigate effects on the environment from hydro power development in the upper reaches of the river, and thereby protect the fragile environment at the Orange river estuary.
The two African countries agreed to improve the monitoring and operation of the existing dams on the river. Future developments along Orange river include the Tandjeskoppe irrigation project in Namibia near Noordoewer and the second phase of the Lesotho Highlands water project.
