Majority of Lowveld dams above 100%
None of the listed dams in the Lowveld recorded a decline in their levels.
The latest Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) weekly state of reservoirs report of January 17 shows that the majority of listed dams in the Lowveld are above the 100% mark.
The report further shows that no dam recorded a decline in water volumes, but two remained unchanged.
Continuing the upward trend above the 100% mark, Blyderivierpoort Dam increased from 100.8% to 101.0%, Buffelskloof from 100.5% to 102.0%, Driekoppies from 101.3% to 101.9%, Witklip from 99.7% to 100.5, Primkop from 100.9% to 101.1%, and Vygeboom from 101.1% to 102.3%.
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Dams below 100% include Longmere Dam, increasing from 83.6% to 89.3%, Kwena from 91.5% to 96.7%, Inyaka from 79.0% to 79.8% and Ohrigstad from 31.8% to 34.5%.
Da Gama and Klipkopjes dams remained unchanged at 100.3% and 100.0% respectively.
Considering the increasing water volumes in the water resources, the DWS encouraged the public to be extra careful along watercourses and avoid trying to cross overflowing and flooded rivers and dams to prevent the unnecessary loss of lives and property. It said residents should always respect and never underestimate the power of water.
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The DWS also encouraged the public to continue using water wisely and sparingly as South Africa is a dry and water-scarce country.
“Let us also make water conservation a norm and make every drop count as water has no substitute.”
The DWS advised the public to practice rainwater harvesting to reduce the strain on municipal systems and to ensure that the rainwater does not go to waste.
