Water storage levels in Northern Cape remain above 84%
The Department of Water and Sanitation's weekly report on reservoir levels indicates that water storage in the Northern Cape has declined slightly from 86.0% last week to 84.7% this week. The province's reservoirs have a combined full supply capacity of 149.29 million cubic metres.
Vanderkloof Dam, located within the Orange River System on the border of the Free State and Northern Cape, remains stable, decreasing marginally from 100.1% last week to 100.0% this week.
The Northern Cape's two major river systems continue to maintain high water levels. The Vaal River System remains unchanged at 100%, while the Orange River System is at 99.6%.
Among other water storage facilities:
Spitskop Dam near Jan Kempdorp increased from 102.6% to 103.1%.
Vaalharts Weir near Warrenton declined from 84.8% to 80.6%.
Douglas Weir decreased slightly from 111.8% to 111.3%.
Karee Dam is currently at 96.6% capacity.
The dams and weirs mentioned above are not intended for long-term water storage. They function primarily as balancing dams and multi-purpose facilities, serving as distribution points where water is diverted into pipelines, canals, or power-generating turbines.
Readings from gauging stations along the Orange River indicate the following water levels:
Katlani (downstream of the Vaal-Orange confluence): 1.033 m
Prieska: 1.174 m
Upington: 1.088 m
Onseepkans: 0.601 m
Vioolsdrift Bridge: 1.314 m
Sendelingsdrift: 0.933 m
The Department of Water and Sanitation urges all water users across the province to continue using water responsibly and sparingly to ensure sustainable water availability for all.
For more information, contact Wisane Mavasa, Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation on 060 561 8935/ mavasaw@dws.gov.za. or Amogelang Moholoeng on 082 653 1682 moholoenga@dws.gov.za
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