Gariep Dam, founded as "Oranjekrag", is a settlement in Xhariep District Municipality in the Free State of South Africa. Gariep Dam is a town …Gariep Dam, founded as "Oranjekrag", is a settlement in Xhariep District Municipality in the Free State of South Africa. Gariep Dam is a town on the northern bank of the Orange River, 50 km west of Bethulie and 48 km north-east of Colesberg. It was laid out in 1965-66 to accommodate the builders of the dam. The previous name is Afrikaans and means "Orange power". The town acquired its current name in 1996.