Good rains raise SA dam levels
South African Weather Service projections say rainfall of up to 300 mm is expected in the coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal during April and in May, coastal rainfall is forecast to peak at 200 mm.
THE good, unseasonable rains expected over the next two months will bring relief to many parched parts of KwaZulu-Natal and also boost dam levels, enhancing assurance of full water supply according to corporate stakeholder manager, Umgeni Water, Shami Harichunder.
An analysis of rainfall received from March 2019 to February 2020, the current status of water resources in Umgeni Water’s vast supply areas and projections of rainfall in March, April and May 2020 (early to late autumn), paints a picture of healthy water resource availability at this stage.
This analysis is contained in a report, titled Status of Water Resources: Umgeni Water’s Operational Area, prepared by Umgeni Water and it is part of Umgeni Water’s information sharing on storage in dams.
“An assessment of water resource availability in the Mgeni System indicates that it is currently at an acceptable level,” Harichunder said.
Combined storage in the Mgeni System, or the average amount of water held in all six dams in this system, is at 68 per cent. This means there is no risk of water shortages and associated supply failure occurring in the near future.
South African Weather Service projections say rainfall of up to 300 mm is expected in the coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal during April and in May, coastal rainfall is forecast to peak at 200 mm.
When compared to a year ago, the combined amount of water resources in the Mgeni System has improved: in February 2019 total storage was at 59 per cent, representing an increase of 9 per cent in 2020.
Two dams in the Mgeni System, Nagle and Inanda, have improved while the rest, Mearns, Spring Grove, Midmar and Albert Falls, are at levels similar to February/March 2019. Also in a state of improvement are Hazelmere in the north of Durban and iMvutshane in Maphumulo, and Woodstock, Spioenkop and Wagendrift in uThukela District.
“Close monitoring of levels of dams will continue and consumers are urged again to use water sparingly as significant spikes in demand and high temperatures cause fast depletion of water resources,” he said.
A comprehensive analysis of water resources in Umgeni Water’s service area will be done again in May 2020.
On Thursday, 12 March, the dam levels were:
Upper Mgeni System:
Spring Grove – 63%
Mearns – 102%
Midmar – 97%
Lower Mgeni System: Albert Falls – 35%
Nagle – 100%
Inanda – 82%
North of Durban and iLembe:
Hazelmere – 56%
iMvutshane – 62%
Ixopo: Home Farm – 56%
uThukela District: Woodstock – 95%
Spioenkop – 100%
Wagendrift – 101%
Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via Telegram? Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts.
Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.
