The Integrated Vaal River System’s (IVRS) increase in the past few weeks show little signs of reduction despite recording a minor fall this week. Week-on-week, the system (IVRS), which is the largest in the country and consists of 14 dams, has seen an incredible increase as a result of widespread rainfalls.
However, this week the system slowed down as it decreased from 91.4% to 90.1%. In the previous year at the same time, the system was sitting 66.3% less compared to its current levels. An iconic dam in the system, the Vaal Dam, is now floating at 102.1% after a drop from 103.0% last week. This drop is attributed to the opening of the sluice gates at the dam to allow for more water inflows as a result of a water pattern that was building up in the Mozambican Channel. During the same week last year, the dam was at 57.0% and thus significantly lower than this week. Meanwhile, the Grootdraai Dam has dropped for the second week in a row. This week the dam is at 102.4%, down from last week’s 104.0%. This is, however, higher compared to the 100.2% it recorded at the same week last year. Although still floating impressively above the 100% mark, the Bloemhof Dam has seen a slight knock this week. It presently stands at 104.1% from an equally remarkable 110.7% last week. The current levels of the dam show that it has soared over the months from when it stood at 81.4% at the same time last year. For a second subsequent week, the Sterkfontein Dam in the Free State remains at 97.3% and higher compared to the 92.6% at which it stood during the same time in the previous year. In Lesotho, Katse Dam continues to rise to notable levels. The dam has made a remarkable recovery after being in a dried up position.This week, the dam increased from 72.8% last week to 74.0% this week. This is a profound leap upwards from when the dam stood below the 50% mark at a depressed 32.5% during the same period last year. Another Lesotho dam, the Mohale, dampened the spirits this week following signs of life as it steadily rose to higher levels.
The dam fell this week, dashing hopes of recovering in much the same way as the Katse Dam. It dropped from 41.3% to 40.5% presently. However, this is considerably higher compared to the 12.1% last year at the same period. The other dams that form part of the system are holding firm as shown below:- Woodstock – 101.6%
- Zaaihoek – 80.7%
- Jericho – 86.4%
- Westoe – 100.0%
- Wygeboom – 100.9%
- Morgenstond – 83.3%
- Heyshope – 83.8%
- Nooigedacht – 99.8%
