Van Eck Dam

Van Eck Dam at Sunset

Van Eck Dam

  • Country: 
    Eswatini
  • Site number: 
    2123
  • Area: 
    187 ha
  • Designation date: 
    12-06-2013
  • Coordinates: 
    26°46'S 31°55'E
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Overview

Van Eck Dam is situated within the Mhlosinga Nature Reserve in the Lubombo district, about a kilometre north-west of Big Bend. When water levels are low, the reservoir is a major magnet for waterfowl and other waterbirds. A number of globally threatened and near-threatened species have been recorded at Van Eck Dam, including the martial eagle Polemaetus bellicosus and the critically endangered African white-backed vulture Gyps africanus, both of which have bred on or very close to Mhlosinga Nature Reserve. Several other raptor species regularly breed at Mhlosinga, including the African fish eagle Haliaeetus vocifer and African goshawk Accipiter tachiro. Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) and South African rock python (Python natalensis), both of which are listed as threatened nationally, are found at Van Eck Dam, as well as the globally threatened hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius). The boundaries of Mhlosinga Nature Reserve have been changed. The area to the west of the reservoir has been removed from the Reserve and sugarcane irrigation pivots have been installed, transforming the savannah habitat. The area to the south of Van Eck Dam was previously used as a cattle ranch, but has now been incorporated into the Reserve.

Administrative region: 
Lubombo district

  • Last publication date: 
    26-09-2016