Fifth sluice gate opened at Vaal Dam as water level rises

This after the fourth slice gate was opened on Saturday.

According to the department, the water storage levels at dam rose to 109.39% on Sunday.

"The outflows at the dam will move from 550 cubic metres per second (mᵌ/s) to just under 700 mᵌ/s. The inflows into the dam are currently 1000 m3/s,” said Department spokesperson Wisane Mavasa.

Mavasa has also warned that the Bloemhof Dam storage levels rose  from 103.23% on Saturday to 106.91% on Sunday.

"The increased outflows from Vaal Dam are expected to reach the Barrage in about 6 hours and Bloemhof Dam in three to four days and will result in water levels rising in both the dam and the river, overtopping of the riverbanks.

"Due to increased water releases by the five sluice gates, there might be a possible overflowing at the riverbanks downstream and this will affect infrastructure built in lower lying areas within the 100-year floodline or 100 meters."

Mavasa said areas around the Vaal Triangle, Parys low lying areas next to the river, and farmers having pumps and infrastructure next to the river needed to evacuate, people residing below barrage, next to the river and also in the tributaries close to the Vaal River.

"Downstream Bloemhof Dam, the rising water level will affect all those at the riverbanks downstream at the Lower Vaal Catchment.

"Those in the riparian of the Vaal River are urged to start removing valuable equipment, movable infrastructure and livestock and to evacuate to avoid any possible damage or loss of life when the riverbanks overtop."

Meanwhile, in Mpumalanga, one sluice gate remains opened at the Grootdraai Dam at 2,5 metres to enable the water releases.

"The Dam is currently sitting at 102.41%. The Department is implementing these necessary controlled water releases at the dams as part of dam safety precautions to safeguard the infrastructure and ensure that there was full storage capacity after the rainfall season,” said Mavasa.

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