Bloemhof

Bloemhof means 'Garden of Flowers' in Dutch.

Attractions

Also see the neighbouring towns

Bloemhof Dam

The Bloemhof Dam (originally called Oppermansdrif Dam), has a long low wall of 4,27Km the Vaal River and covers about 25'000Ha. The wall height is only 35,2m. Its waters pushes upstream about 100Km. Part of its water is directed to the Vaalharts Water Scheme. The dam is about 4Km east of town.

It is a popular resort for water sports, swimming, angling and cruising.

Game: springbok, black wildebeest, eland and gemsbok.

Birds: Over 250 species of birds, including rare waterfowl.

Watersports: powerboating, angling (below the dam wall).

Sandveld Nature Reserve

The Sandveld Nature Reserve is located at the confluence of the Vaal and Vet Rivers on the Free State side of the Bloemhof Dam.

SA Lombard Nature Reserve

The SA Lombard Nature Reserve is not open to the public.

This Reserve is 17Km northwest from town on the R34 to Schweizer-Reneke. It is known for its efforts to preserve the black wildebeest from extinction. It is a breeding centre for plains animals such as: springbok, black wildebeest, red hartebeest and zebra.

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History

In 1866 James Barkly laid out a town on his farm, Klipfontein. His daughter was a keen gardener and he named the town after her interests. Bloemhof means 'Garden of Flowers' in Dutch.

During this era there was a pontoon, called North Star, which transported travelers across the Vaal River. Today the waters of the Bloemhof Dam covers the spot of the old ferry crossing.

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Climate

Today's Weather Report for Bloemhof

Economy

Farming: Bloemhof is a maize centre dominated by tall storage silos. Other products are dairy, salt and malt.

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