On Monday 17 January officials opened two more sluices at the Vaal Dam. Due to low water levels, the department had been keeping three of the five available Vaal Dam sluices closed. But now, thanks to the continued rain in the catchment areas that have been feeding the Vaal-Orange River System, levels have risen enough for them to open more sluices.
However, in order to manage and protect infrastructure officials have decided to keep one of the gates closed for now. Although residents can look forward to the extra water supply for the foreseeable future. As Sputnik Ratau, spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation, states “The department will continue to monitor the volumes, but the sluice gates will remain open until further notice”.
Gauteng Dams are Full
After the continuous recent rains, the department is glad to announce that the Vaal Dam water level stood at 108,5% capacity yesterday morning. This was before the two sluices were opened. One of which was opened at 10 am and the other at midday.
To add to this, the Bloemhof Dam was 109.0 % full on Monday. With a discharge of 1022 cubic meters per second. And this has further increased in the last 24 hours.
Warning of Overflow
The reopening of the two sluices does pose some risk of causing overflow downstream areas. And spokesperson Ratau has warned communities that due to the dam’s extra opening there will be an expected rise in the Vaal River water level. The department requested that farmers and residents take precautionary measures with any belongs near the river. As property, such as farming equipment, could be damaged by the overflow.
Furthermore, Ratau expresses that the department expects “a rise in the Vaal River, as well as the Orange River as the flow continues [and] as the rain continues, people will need to really be as cautious as possible”. He adds that “This is also a warning for communities to ensure that children are not swimming near the stream”.
The Lekwa Teemane Local municipality has confirmed that their disaster management teams have been on standby to assist residents.