The Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS) weekly State of Reservoirs report, released on February 2, shows a marginal decline in water levels in the Lowveld region, despite most dams remaining above full capacity and overflowing.

The latest DWS report indicates a slight decline on average dam levels, from 100.7% to 100.5% across Mpumalanga Province. The Water Management Inkomati-Usuthu has also declined from 100.2% to 100.1%.

Most dams in the Lowveld showed slight drops in water levels. However, some dams remained unchanged, including Buffelskloof at 100.7%, Longmere at 101.3%, Klipkopjes at 100.4%, and Primkop at 103.0%.

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On the positive, Inyaka Dam saw a slight increase, rising from 101.1% to 101.4%, and Nooitgedacht from 98.5% to 99.6%.

Dams that recorded declines in the Lowveld include Blyderivierpoort, which dropped from 102.4% to 101.8%, Ohrigstad from 100.3% to 100.2%, and Driekopies from 102.0% to 101.2%.

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Witklip dropped from 101.6% to 101.3%, Kwena from 101.6% to 101.3%, Da Gama from 100.8% to 100.3%, and Vygeboom from 100.9% to 100.0%.

The DWS stresses the need for heightened caution around rivers and dams, urging the public to prioritise safety as water levels remain high and dams continue to overflow.

The department also calls on the public to respect floodlines and warns against constructing buildings on floodplains as these areas are highly vulnerable to flooding when water bodies overflow.