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Brand Karos is a small community on the south bank of the Orange River
near to the river mouth. It is part of the Alexcor
development and is the point at which Alexcor abstract their irrigation water for their
own agricultural developments including orchards and various livestock enterprises (mainly
cattle, goats, pigs and ostriches).
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Approximately 12 million m3 of Orange River water are
abstracted by Alexcor at Brand Karos, some 30 km upstream from Alexander Bay. The
water is used mainly for irrigation and livestock in this hot and dry area where annual
rainfall is in the order of only 25 mm. The area has a very unusual climate which
depends heavily on the wind direction. An offshore wind carries the hot desert air
from far inland, resulting in scorching temperatures which can reach the 50's. An onshore
wind on the other hand brings in the mist from the sea which is cooled by the cold Augulus
current and the temperatures can drop to below freezing during the winter months.
A small camp site is available at Brand Karos as well as approximately a
dozen self catering units where visitors can find accommodation through Alexcor.
Although the area in the immediate vicinity of the Orange River has green vegetation, the
area a few meters away from the river is a stark contrast made up of undulating dunes of
pure white sand.
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