Outflow releases increase at Bloemhof Dam as water levels rise

Water Levels are rising rapidly at the Bloemhof Dam as inflow from upstream the Vaal River increases, and this has necessitated for gradual increase in outflow releases at dam to 3800 cubic meters per second by 17h00 this afternoon, Wednesday 22 February 2023.

Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) had maintained the outflow of 3200m3/s at the dam since Sunday, 19 February 2023.

DWS’ Hydrological Monitoring and Forecasting System has, for the first time in four (4) days, shown a decrease in water inflow from upstream the Vaal River into the Vaal Dam.

The 12 sluice gates at Vaal Dam remain open in order to allow the water levels in the dams to be at its required capacity. The Vaal dam is currently sitting at 119% full.

Communities along the Vaal River System are continuously reminded to stay alert and move away from rising water in the river and around the dams.

Mr Leonardo Manus, the Acting Deputy Director-General for Water Infrastructure at DWS said the dam level was still too high and needs to be lowered.

“We will not be reducing the outflow by closing the gates as yet because the dam level is still too high and needs to be lowered quickly to open more flood absorption capacity”, Mr Manus said.

The Department is increasing water discharge at Bloemhof Dam from 3800m3/s by this afternoon because its level is continuing to rise sharply because of the volume of water coming from upstream the Vaal River and into the Lower Vaal System.

Acting DDG said there will be no interruption of the water outflow at the dam because the analysis indicate that it will start to level off and decrease in approximately two days. “The water outflow will be reviewed in few days as it will be determined by the inflow into the river system, but as of now the water levels are still high and the water discharge from the dam will continue”.

Source: Government of South Africa