Its hazard potential is ranked as high, due to poor maintenance and the development of sink holes.
The dam and its surroundings harbour a rich bird population of over 250 recorded species, and the reserve's wildlife includes black wildebeest, springbuck, red hartebeest, zebra and blesbok.
According to the last fish mark-recapture study at Boskop[5] the Orange river Mudfish (Labeo Capensis) & Moggel (Labeo Umbratus) made up 95% of the total fish population in the dam, Sharptooth Catfish (Clarias Gariepinus),[6] Common Carp (Cyprinus Carpio), Small-mouthed Yellowfish (Labeobarbus Aeneus), Largemouth Bass (Micropterus Dolomieu)[7] and Banded Tilapia (Tilapia Sparrmanii) were all recorded in that study which was done almost 50 years ago, since then the following discoveries were made - Southern Mouthbrooder (Pseudocrenilabrus philander), Three Spot Barb (Enteromius trimaculatus), Goldie Barb (Enteromius pallidus), Chubbyhead Barb (Enteromius anoplus), Straight-fin Barb (Enteromius paludinosus), Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides), Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), Rock Catfish (Austroglanis sclateri), Canary Kurper (Chetia flaviventris) and Western Mosquitofish (Gumbisa Affinis).
The nature reserve side has thick reed beds along its bank, The littoral zone around the lake is mostly covered with an aquatic weed Potamogeton pectinatus.
[12] There is two popular resorts on the southern side of the dam that provide camping amenities and recreational facilities for holiday goers.