The Vaal River is the largest tributary of the Orange River in South Africa.
The Vaal Name
The name "Vaal" is an Afrikaans word meaning "ashen, pale or grey", describing the greyish colors of the river, especially noticeable during the flood season, when much silt is carried in its waters.
The Vaal River
The Vaal River is 1120km in length, and originates on the western slopes of the Drakensberg Mountains, east of Johannesburg. The Vaal River joins the Orange River southwest of Kimberley, on its way to Oranjemund and Alexander Bay, where the Orange River flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
The Vaal Boundary
The Vaal River used to be the boundary between the old Transvaal Province and the Orange Free State. The name "Transvaal" means "Across the Vaal". After 1994, The Vaal River became the border between the Free State and Mpumalanga, the Free State and Gauteng, and the Free State and the North West Province.
Vaal Water
The Vaal River is part of the Vaal-Hartz Irrigation Scheme. Water from the Vaal River is drawn to meet the agricultural and industrial needs of large parts of Mpumalanga, Gauteng, North West and the Free State.
Vaal River Towns
Some of the towns on the banks of the Vaal River include Breyten, Bettiesdam, Standerton, Meyerville, Roberts Drift, Villiers, Oranjeville, Deneysville, Vereeniging, Viljoensdrif, Parys, Venterskroon, Orkney, Bloemhof, Christiana and Warrenton.
Vaal River Real Estate
Real Estate on the banks of the Vaal River is in great demand, because of its close proximity to mayor cities and big towns such as Pretoria, Johannesburg, Standeron, Vereeniging, Sasolburg, Potchefstroom, Klerksdorp, Kroonstad, and Welkom. Residents of these cities and towns see Vaal River real estate as conveniently close, naturally beautiful, and the ideal spot to relax and engage in some water sport.
Many owners of farms bordering on the Vaal River have allowed investors to develop holiday houses on their properties. These are usually sectional title developments.
As with any limited resource, Vaal River real estate prices have risen considerably in recent years, because of the strong demand.
