Vaal Dam's recovery has been swift, with levels climbing from 80.22% on Sunday to 83.45% on Monday, then to 85.73% on Tuesday, and reaching 87.93% on Wednesday.
Vaal Dam's recovery has been swift, with levels climbing from 80.22% on Sunday to 83.45% on Monday, then to 85.73% on Tuesday, and reaching 87.93% on Wednesday.As Vaal Dam water levels rise quickly, experts and the Department of Water and Sanitation have clarified whether the dam will overflow, and any potential danger this may pose.This marks a significant recovery from earlier this year when the dam was below 30% capacity.
The department added that if the dam levels approach this point, as forecasted, decisions will be made in time about controlled releases and informing downstream affected communities.“The department continuously monitors the water levels at the Vaal Dam using a combination of real-time flow gauging stations, rainfall forecasts from the South African Weather Service , and hydrological modelling tools.
Water expert Carin Bosman reinforced this point, emphasising that the term “overflow risk” is technically misplaced. “The closest major suburb is Three Rivers, and on occasion, with a lot of rain and a few sluice gates open, these lower-lying areas do flood,” Swart explained.“The department has established flood management protocols in coordination with the National Disaster Management Centre , Provincial Disaster Management Centres , and local municipalities. In the event of an overflow, emergency releases will be coordinated, and affected communities will be alerted to take necessary precautions,” it added.
“The strategic release of water, in advance of the Vaal Dam becoming over full and the expectation of coming rain and inflows, allows Rand Water to open sluice gates to control the amount of water released downstream,” Swart explained.
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