Six valves opened at Vaal Dam to manage water levels
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has opened six valves at the Vaal Dam to manage water levels.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has opened six valves at the Vaal Dam to gradually increase water outflows by another 200 cubic metres per second (mᵌ/s) and manage water levels.
The opening of six valves at 12:00 on Monday is in addition to the single sluice gate that was opened last week, as water levels at the dam continue to rise.
At capacity
In an update report on the Vaal River system, issued on Monday, the department said the dam is currently at its full capacity at 107.43%.
“At Bloemhof Dam, water releases have also been increased by 50 cubic metres per second from yesterday’s 350.97 – to 400 mᵌ/s – to allow for the extra flows that are expected from the Vaal Dam. Water levels at [Bloemhof] are currently at 99.97%, and the aim is to keep it at below 100%,” the department said.
The release of water on both dams is due to the rising of water levels as a result of the continuous rainfall.
The department assured that the current water release by the one sluice gate, including the six valves at the Vaal Dam and the pipes at Bloemhof, is within the safe operational limits and is not expected to lead to overtopping of riverbanks downstream.
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