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Vaal Dam Levels Surge Past 106%, Prompting Authorities to Release More Water
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has opened a second sluice gate at the Vaal Dam to control increasing water levels following continued heavy rainfall.
This follows the first gate’s opening last weekend. By Friday, the additional outflow reached approximately 240 cubic metres per second (m³/s), ensuring water levels remain within safe limits. According to the department, all six valves that were opened earlier in the week have now been closed. The Vaal Dam currently sits at 106.52% capacity, and the water release is aimed at keeping it at 105% to prevent potential flooding.
The department reassured the public that the current outflow remains within safe operational limits and will not cause riverbanks to overflow. At the Bloemhof Dam, water levels stand at 96.10%, with an outflow of 400 m³/s. This release remains unchanged to accommodate expected inflows from the Vaal Dam while ensuring Bloemhof stays below full capacity.
Government officials continue to monitor the situation closely to mitigate any risks posed by the high water levels.
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Sourced:The South African
