The Beervlei Dam, built for flood control on the Groot river, especially for the sake of the farming community in the Patensie area, was completed in 1957. In 1961 the Kariega and Salt Rivers, the feeder rivers for the Beervlei Dam, came down in flood, and it overflowed for any length of time since it is a flood control dam and not for irrigation purposes. When it receives enough water, they open the sluices to make water available for irrigation on a rotation basis for users downstream. In 2001 the Dam was almost at maximum capacity, and the sluice gates remained closed for some months. As a result, the fish population increased, and anglers recorded catches of Carp, Silverfish, and Springers. In recent years it has been noted that less and less water flows into this Dam due to the construction of weirs upstream, and the annual rainfall has dropped in the catchment area. Beervlei Dam is an interesting attraction, and the picnic spot just below the wall remains a favorite stopping place for passers-by.
