Weirs : Balancing Weirs

Rehabilitation of a rock-masonry balancing weir in a river. The function of a balancing weir is to store sufficient water from the stream's overnight flow to supplement the available water for day time irrigation.

GaMabintane, Limpopo, South Africa - Client : Mr Figness Mashele - Designed and built by Dams for Africa, January 2004

(1) Water flowed freely below the left flank, which had broken away from the rest of the wall. The weir was incapable of retaining water. The existing masonry wall was unstable and in danger of toppling over in a flood.

(2) Buttresses under construction to stabilize the old wall.

(3) The old wall has been buttressed, and the right flank stabilized. Rock-masonry was used throughout.

(4) The construction team celebrate the completion of the weir with Mr Figness Mashele on the far left.

(5) A cut-off shoulder has been constructed at the foot of the upstream face to prevent seepage under the wall.

(6) The rehabilitated weir now captures a significant body of water which Mr Figness Mashele uses to irrigate his crops.

(7) Figness's mango orchards and geranium plants can now be irrigated as required, resulting in much increased yields.