Caledon River

Mohokare
River
Countries	Lesotho, South Africa
State	Free State
City	Maseru
Source	Mont-aux-Sources
- location	SW of Phuthaditjhaba, Drakensberg
- elevation	2,100 m (6,890 ft)
Mouth	Orange River
- location	Near Bethulie
- elevation	1,267 m (4,157 ft)
- coordinates	30°31′21″S 26°4′21″E / 30.52250°S 26.07250°E / -30.52250; 26.07250Coordinates: 30°31′21″S 26°4′21″E / 30.52250°S 26.07250°E / -30.52250; 26.07250
Length	480 km (298 mi)
Location of the Caledon River mouth

The Caledon River (Sotho: Mohokare) is located in south-east Africa, rising in the Drakensberg Mountains in Lesotho, flowing southwestward and then westward before joining the Orange River near Bethulie in southern Free State.

The origin of the River Caledon is in the former bantustan of QwaQwa, near the border with Lesotho, southwest of Witsieshoek. It then flows south-west through Lesotho's capital city, Maseru. It forms the border between South Africa and Lesotho before entering South Africa's Free State province (north of Wepener). It then flows westward before joining the Orange River near Bethulie in southern Free State, just before the Gariep Dam. Its total length is about 300 miles (480 km) and its valley experiences great temperature swings. The land falling into the wedge between these two rivers forms the 22,000 hectare Tussen-die-Riviere Nature Reserve.

The river is the primary source of water for Maseru, the capital of Lesotho, which stands on the river. During periods of low rainfall water shortages can ensue. To combat this, several reservoirs have been created with structures such as the Muela Dam and the Meulspruit Dam. In 2003 water was released from here to avert drought.

The Caledon Valley is important in the history of the Basotho people. The area was exceptionally fertile and could be farmed without irrigation. This made it desirable and was one of the causes of the conflict between the Basotho and the Boers. Maize is grown on a large scale in the Caledon Valley.