Vaal Dam decreases to manageable levels

One sluice gate to be closed at the Vaal Dam this afternoon leaving the four gates open to further reduce capacity to a safe level.

The Department of Water and Sanitation decided to open five sluice gates in early January after the dam reached over 110%.

The Dam – which supplies most of Gauteng – now stands at 103,5% full and the levels continue to decrease.

Bloemhof Dam is at 103.9 % full having increased by increased by 1.2 % from the previous day.

Outflow will be kept at a manageable rate to reduce capacity to a safe level.

The department’s spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau says the department will continue to monitor the inflows.

“Further decisions will be made on when the other sluice gates will close.

“We will continue to monitor the Vaal-Orange River System and the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS).

“We will also ensure all necessary steps are taken to safeguard the infrastructure as well as to protect lives and livelihoods,” says Ratau.

Source: Government of South Africa