Latest on Water Storage in Northern Cape
The water supply capacity of the Northern Cape has been exceeded and is at 107.5% full. The heavy rains in major parts of South Africa since the beginning of summer have improved the country’s water situation substantially, replenishing vastly diminished water levels and helped mitigate the effects of drought.
The Vaal Dam is at 102.11% and the Bloemhof Dam at 102.82% after receiving 24mm rainfall. The Vaalharts storage weir is at 77.3%, while the Douglas storage weir is at 134.6%, and the Spitskop storage weir is at 108.5%.
The Gariep Dam, the biggest dam in the country, is on the recession limb at 100,5% full, releasing 632 m3/s through the electricity turbines and the Vanderkloof Dam, the second biggest, is at 104.39%, releasing 369m3/s through electricity turbines to generate additional electricity for Eskom. The Vanderkloof Dam is further spilling 314m3/s.
Various gauging stations in the Orange River indicate the following readings:
- Marksdrift is flowing at 823.6m3/s and at a height in metres of 2.028.
- Katlani just below the confluence at Douglas is flowing at 1 503m3/s with a metre height of 4.647.
- Prieska is flowing at 1 650m3/s at 4.014m,
- Upingtons’ flow is 1 674m3/s at height of 4.729m,
- while Blouputs just below the Augrabies Falls is flowing at 1 492 m3/s and is at a height of 2.886m.
South Africa remains a water scarce country, ranking 30th driest in the world. All are urged to continue using water wisely and sparingly.
For more information, contact
Sputnik Ratau, Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation
Cell: 082 874 2942 or
Amogelang Moholoeng
Cell: 082 653 1682
