Vaal Dam nears 100% capacity

"The Vaal Dam may reach 100% in the next few days as the torrent rainfall continues in the catchment, and increased releases may be required on both dams should the need arise to safeguard to prevent dam failures and major disasters,” said DWS spokesperson Wisane Mavasa.

He said this would ensure that precautions are in place in line with dam safety standards and hydrological monitoring systems.

On Thursday, the dam sat at 98.99% capacity.

Mavasa said over 61,000 liters of water are being released using the dam’s five valves.

"This will ensure that there is balance between the inflows and outflows at the dam. These releases, while they are meant to ensure that the dam’s capacity stays within the range of 100 to 103% at the current inflow levels, the water flow is insignificant in that they will not make the river to overtop the banks.

"The Vaal Dam has eight valves in total that are used for river releases. On normal day-to-day releases, using 2 valves range from 16.8 mᵌ/s to 17.6 mᵌ/s in order to keep the natural flow in the river."

Mavasa added that the Bloemhof Dam is sitting at 100.94%.

There are currently no sluice gates open at both dams.

"The department also notes that along the Vaal River and downstream the Vaal Dam, water levels may rise as a result of inflows from Suikerboschrand, Klip and Rietspruit tributaries over the high flow period due to the heavy rains in the catchments of these rivers,” said Mavasa.

"The heavy rains in most parts of the country have necessitated the Department to implement dam releases according to its safety protocols in all its major dams to prevent dam failures and major disasters in the country.

"As part of the flood management plan, dam safety protocols are activated when dams breach the full capacity mark and overflow to prevent the infrastructure from failing which may lead to a dam bursting and causing a disaster of unimaginable magnitude and also leave the areas it supplies without sources of water."

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