KZN dam levels rise after weekend rainfall

After a weekend of steady rainfall across dams in KwaZulu-Natal, Umgeni Water reported this will ensure there would be no risk of supply failure or protracted supply interruptions in the near future.

According to the corporate stakeholder manager for Umgeni Water, Shami Harichunder, the rainfall had a meaningful impact on at least four of the dams. Umzinto Dam gained approximately 19 per cent (increasing to 82 per cent capacity), the level of EJ Smith Dam increased by approximately by 5 per cent (93 per cent capacity).

The level of Nungwane increased by 2 per cent (80 per cent capacity).

In the Upper Mgeni System’s catchments, approximately 290 mm rainfall was received at the weekend.

Catchments in the Upper Mgeni System feed three dams, namely Mearns, Spring Grove and Midmar.

This rainfall has led to Mearns Dam gaining 9 per cent (62 per cent capacity) while Midmar Dam remained at 90 per cent capacity and Spring Grove at 35 per cent capacity.

In the Lower Mgeni System, a total of 125mm rainfall was received on Saturday and Sunday.

Nagle Dam increased by approximately six per cent (76 per cent capacity). Inanda and Albert Falls remained unchanged at 76 per cent and 28 per cent capacity, respectively.

Harichunder said the amount of water in Albert Falls Dam is of concern as, at its current capacity, was unable to meet the needs of its supply area, which is within the eThekwini region.

“Insufficient water resources in Albert Falls Dam, which is decreasing by 1 per cent every week, has led to augmentation through pumping from Inanda Dam becoming necessary,” he said.

In the north of eThekwini, approximately 90mm of rainfall was received within the Hazelmere system. Harichunder noted that Hazelmere Dam was at a stable 38 per cent while iMvutshane Dam is at 88 per cent.

“The wall at Hazelmere Dam has been raised, resulting in its storage capacity being more than doubled. On the old measure, this dam would have been at 80 per cent,” he said.

In Ixopo, Home Farm Dam increased by 3 per cent (49 per cent capacity). The three dams in the uThukela System, namely Woodstock, Spioenkop and Wagendrift, are at 75 per cent, 80 per cent and 81 per cent capacity, respectively.

“Forecasts by the South African Weather Service and the International Research Institute for Climate and Society suggest that above-average rainfall is expected over South Africa’s East Coast from November 2020 to January 2021,” said Harichunder.