The Vaal River’s water level will continue rising significantly over the next 24 hours as the Vaal Dam opens its sluice gates according to a staggered schedule.

Parys Gazette reports that the gates began opening this morning and that five will be open by 13:00.

Heavy inflows from the Grootdraai Dam and widespread rainfall in the catchment prompted the staggered release, Vaalweekblad reports.

Gate opening schedule:

• Gate 1: 09:00
• Gate 2: 10:00
• Gate 3: 11:00
• Gate 4: 12:00
• Gate 5: 13:00

Authorities have again urged residents and farmers downstream of the Vaal Dam to move pumps, livestock and equipment away from low-lying areas and to take all necessary precautions.

Vaal Dam

At the time of publishing, the Vaal Dam was 107.43% full, with inflow measured at 962.18 cubic metres per second (m³/s). Outflow at 08:39 was measured at 63.448m³/s.

Bloemhof Dam and Koppies Dam

Bloemhof Dam is 99.81% full, with water being released at 120.00m³/s.

Koppies Dam was already 98.9% full at 08:00 yesterday.

By 08:30 today, outflow at the Barrage was measured at 358.264m³/s.

Vaal Dam – the difference between valves and sluice gates

The Vaal Dam has valves and sluices, and there is a difference between the two.

Eight valves are situated at the bottom of the dam and are always open to ensure a natural flow.

Water is released from the Vaal Dam as needed, for downstream users and for ecological flow.

The valves can also be used to increase outflow from the dam.

Sluice gates, however, are located at the top of the dam wall and are opened as needed to release significantly more water, when necessary, to allow high flow through the system. The sluice gates are either open or closed.

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