Senteeko dam update: Engineers to implement new spillway
The new spillway will aid the exit of water of the main spillway.
The De Kaap Irrigation Board announced today, January 21, that a new side-channel spillway constuction is planned to help relieve the main spillway of the Senteeko Dam.
Heavy rains have weakened the dam wall this past week and fears of it collapsing have escalated.
ALSO READ: Senteeko Dam Update: Engineers rule out rising water levels
Technical team called out
According to the board, they plan to implement the spillway tomorrow, January 22, under the supervision of the approved professional person and dam safety engineers.
A technical team from Gauteng was also called out earlier today to assess the dam.
Spillway channel is worsening
Recent reports show that the undercutting on the spillway channel is worsening, with the spillway channel slab slightly hanging or cantilevered close to 30%.
The dam’s outlet valve is fully opened, but has unfortunately not assisted in lowering the water level.
ALSO READ: VIDEO: Barberton area flood warning: Senteeko Dam wall at risk of collapse
Further assessment proved that there is no overtopping or excessive seepage anywhere else on the dam.
“We are told that more rainfall is anticipated tomorrow, which we hope will not hamper operations or worsen the outflow through the main spillway,” the board shared.
The South African Weather Services has predicted partly cloudy and cool to warm weather, with isolated showers and thundershowers in Mpumalanga, except in the Lowveld.
Weather outlook for Thursday & Friday, 22 – 23 January 2026.
Rainfall chances ease over the eastern parts this week following a prolonged wet spell in Limpopo and Mpumalanga. While isolated thundershowers remain possible over the central & eastern parts of RSA. #saws pic.twitter.com/HuWZoJ2oZt— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) January 20, 2026
Cloudy weather is predicted in the north-eastern parts of the province.
@lowvelder Barberton area flood warning: Senteeko Dam wall at risk of collapse. #floods #dam #damwall #barberton
ALSO READ: Department reports dropping dam levels in Lowveld region
The board concluded that the initiated plans intend to save the dam wall from collapsing, or reduce the outflow should the dam wall collapse.
