Image Source: The Citizen
Local – The Vaal Dam is currently at 98.99% capacity as torrential rains impact the region. As such the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is closely monitoring the inflow levels to ensure dam safety and flood management.
The department stated that it is “actively monitoring inflow levels to ensure that necessary precautions are in place in line with dam safety standards and hydrological monitoring systems to safeguard and maintain the integrity of the water resource infrastructure as well as reduce flood conditions while keeping the dam at full capacity.”
To manage rising water levels, the department is currently releasing 61,200 litres per second through five valves. These controlled releases balance inflows and outflows while keeping the dam’s capacity between 100-103%.
Reassuring the public, the DWS explained that “these releases, while they are meant to ensure that the dam’s capacity stays within the range of 100-103% at the current inflow levels, the water flow is insignificant in that they will not make the river overtop the banks.”
The Vaal Dam has eight valves used for river releases. Under normal conditions, two valves operate to maintain natural river flow, with releases ranging between 16,800 and 17,600 litres per second.
However, with continued rainfall, the department may need to increase outflows to prevent flooding and protect infrastructure.
Further downstream, Bloemhof Dam is at 100.94% capacity and still has 16% flood absorption capacity. Due to increased inflows from upper catchments and recent heavy rain, 320,000 litres per second are being released through outlet pipes to regulate water levels.
The department also confirmed that “there are currently no sluice gates open at both dams.”
Hydrological monitoring forecasts suggest the Vaal Dam could reach full capacity within days if the heavy rains persist. If necessary, the department will increase releases at both dams to prevent potential dam failures or significant flooding.
Additionally, inflows from tributaries such as Suikerboschrand, Klip, and Rietspruit could further raise water levels along the Vaal River system.
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Safety Measures and Disaster Prevention
As part of its safety strategy, the department noted that “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.”
The DWS is working closely with the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), Provincial Disaster Management Centres (PDMCs), and affected municipalities to follow flood management protocols.
It assured that “through various platforms, the department will continue to engage, share hydrology reports and updates on a regular basis on the water levels in both dams, with recommendations in order to send early warning systems and activate evacuation plans in cases of flooding.”
The department also highlighted its collaboration with key stakeholders, explaining that “stakeholders include the Disaster Management operations in the affected municipalities, local police services (police water wing), farmers and locals upstream and downstream along the Vaal River System.”
Moreover, the department warned against placing essential services and human settlements in flood-prone areas, particularly within the 1 in 100-year floodline, as flooding is a natural occurrence that cannot always be controlled.
