27 February 2006
The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry today opened more sluices to
safely pass the incoming floodwater following on more rain in the catchment of
the Vaal Dam. At 2pm today a total of six sluices were open, releasing 700
cubic meters per second (m3/S).
Following good rains in the Standerton area, further high flows are expected
into the Vaal Dam and more sluices may be opened. The Grootdraai Dam is
currently releasing 950 m3/S to balance the incoming flow. With additional
flows from the downstream catchment the total flow expected through Standerton
is 1100 m3/S. Flooding is expected in low lying areas in Standerton and local
disaster management structures are dealing with the issue. People are warned to
exercise caution in this period of high flows in rivers and not take
unnecessary risks.
Good rains also resulted in other dams reaching full capacity.
In the Free State, the Bloemhof Dam, which was only 9% full in January, is
currently over the 100% mark. The sluice gates will be opened at 7am on
Tuesday, February 28 to release 800 m3/S.
During the weekend the Gariep Dam also started spilling for the first time
in four years. Van Der Kloof Dam is currently at 75% capacity and filling with
inflow from Gariep Dam.
Due to high flows in the Harts River, the Spitskop Dam in Northern Cape is
overflowing and people in downstream areas should be cautious.
Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, Ms Buyelwa Sonjica, expressed
excitement by the main storage dams which have filled up so early in the
season.
âThe last time we were in a position to release water from a full Vaal Dam,
Gariep Dam and Bloemhof Dam was in March 2002,â the Minister said.
People living downstream of the affected dams or have infrastructure such as
pump installations, need to take note of the situation and take the necessary
precautions.
Contact:
Willie Croucamp
Acting Deputy Director-General: Infrastructure
Tel: (012) 336 8799
Cell: 082 807 3530
Issued by: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
27 February 2006
