Kwena Dam dips below 100%
After consecutive weeks and months of spilling, the dam's levels have finally dipped to below completely full.
The Department of Water and Sanitation’s weekly state of reservoirs report of April 4 shows that Kwena Dam recorded a 1% decline, dropping from 100.5% to 99.5% over the week.
Most of the listed dams in the Lowveld and Ehlanzeni District also recorded declines in water volumes, with only Klipkopjes and Witklip dams recording some improvements, increasing from 100% to 100.2% and 100.4% to 100.5% respectively. Driekoppies, Longmere and Vygeboom dams remained unchanged at 100.6%, 101.1% and 100.9% respectively.
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The dams that recorded declines in water volumes include Blyderivierpoort Dam, dropping from 100.4% to 100.3%, Buffelskloof from 100.6% to 100.5%, Primkop from 101.3% to 100.4%, Da Gama from 100.3% to 99.8%, Inyaka from 85.0% to 84.8%, and Ohrigstad from 48.1% to 43.7%.
The department said the water situation in the Kwena Dam and throughout the Lowveld reflects the water situation in Mpumalanga, where the average dam levels dropped from last week’s 93% to 92.8% even though it is still better than the 88.7% recorded during the same period last year.
The water management areas (WMA) recorded mixed results, with the Olifants remaining unchanged at 81.6% and the Inkomati-Usuthu WMA slightly dropping from 98.5% to 98.3%.
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The department called on the public to be water-wise and use the available water sparingly, considering the dropping water levels and the approaching dry winter season.
It also encouraged the public to become ambassadors of water conservation and the protection of water resources to ensure reliable and sustainable quality water supply.
