The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) released water from the Vaal Dam on Thursday, 11 February 2021, in anticipation of rainfalls expected over the Orange River System.
These rains would be as a result of the activities that are building up in the Mozambican Channel, which are expected to impact on the Orange River System. The upshot of the flows from these rains could impact on the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) and the Vaal Dam in particular. The Vaal Dam is rapidly filling up and will continue to receive inflows from the Upper Vaal. These flows and weather forecasts have necessitated the initiation of a flood control release from the Vaal Dam. Departmental Spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau, said there was a need to accommodate the expected rains that would have an impact on the Orange River System in the next few days, as well as adding onto the already rising water levels in the system.Ratau said the opening of the three sluice gates was to release water in order to protect the infrastructure and to ensure that the Vaal Dam continued to operate optimally. According to the Department’s analysis there was a need for the opening of three (3) gates and that a fourth gate might be opened as and when the need arises. Presently, the Vaal Dam is hovering around 106.0%, having breached the 100% mark.
WATCH | Three sluice gates opened yesterday. The release of water from the dam is due to heavy river flows from the Upper Vaal, rapidly filling the Dam.
