Persistent rainfall sees Vaal Dam level hover at 80%
Water levels in critical dams which from part of the Integrated Vaal River System have risen to 82% following the persistent rainfall due to Tropical Cyclone Eloise.
At the same time last year, dam levels were at 64.9%.
The system, which supplies water to Gauteng, the Free State, North West and Mpumalanga increased its levels from 78.1% to an impressive 82% over the past week, according to the Department of Water and Sanitation.
“One of the major dams in the system, the Vaal Dam, recorded a rise this week. Presently hovering at 79.8%, the dam went up from 75.0% last week. Judged against last year’s levels at the same time when the dam was sitting 57.0%, this week’s levels are substantially higher,” the department said in a statement.
The system also supply water to key industries such as Sasol and the country’s power utility Eskom.
The heavy rainfall has also seen the Grootdraai Dam in Mpumalanga climbing to 108.4%.
“When juxtaposed with last year’s levels at the same period when it was at 101.9%, this week’s levels are a good improvement,” the department added.
“The Bloemhof Dam is the only dam within the system that has seen a decline this week. The dam fell from 109.6% last week to 102% this week. This week’s levels show a significant rise from last year’s levels when the dam floated at 77.5%.”
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