First envisaged in 1897, Hardap Dam has a capacity of 320 million cubic metres (420,000,000 cu yd) and a surface area of 25 km2 (2,500 ha).

Its location close to the city, however, also poses a danger of flooding when sluices have to be opened fully due to good rains in the Fish River's catchment area.

Since then, the dam's water level is kept at a maximum of 70% of its capacity to prevent both an overflow and an uncontrolled outflow through fully opened sluices.

[2] The name Hardap derives from the Nama word meaning "nipple" or "wart",[3] which is how the surrounding area of low conical-shaped hills appeared to the early inhabitants.

Great White Pelican,[1] cormorant, darter and spoonbill can be seen on the dam itself, as well as fish eagle and a small number of osprey.