‘Life is back to normal’: Flood warnings subside with Vaal Dam levels

Flood warnings along the Vaal Dam have subsided as water levels continue to drop from their peak earlier this month, bringing relief to residents who have endured months of uncertainty.

The dam currently sits at 107.56%, down from 114% at the beginning of the month and 108% recorded two weeks ago.

As water levels have receded, so have the fears of flooding that gripped communities along the Vaal River system during the first quarter of the year.

Vaal Dam operating well below danger levels

Despite the seemingly high percentage, Midvaal councillor Pieter Swart explained that the Vaal Dam is operating well below dangerous levels due to infrastructure upgrades completed decades ago.

“The Vaal Dam is at no risk of overtopping, as the 107.5% is a little misleading. In actuality, the addition of the sluices on top of the original spillway and the raising of the wall in the 80s have increased the capacity to 126%. The 126% is the new 100%. So at its current level of 107%, the dam is actually at around 85% of its actual capacity,” Swart told The Citizen.

This technical explanation provides context for residents who may be concerned about water levels appearing to exceed 100% capacity.

Life returns to normal despite ongoing challenges along the Vaal River

While conditions have stabilised, Swart acknowledged that many residents continue to deal with the aftermath of the flooding that occurred during the dam’s rapid rise from near-empty to full capacity in just over two months.

“Mostly — life has returned to normal, but this does not mean that a large amount of people have not suffered significant damage and even financial ruin. My utmost sympathy goes out to these residents,” said Swart.

The councillor noted that residents with waterfront properties can now safely enjoy their facilities again, though he cautioned about the risks some have taken by building within flood zones.

“Since there is no danger at this stage, a lot of residents with water and riverfront access can safely enjoy the facilities. This, however, does not ignore the fact that a lot of infrastructure was built against recommendations — and sometimes even unlawfully — within the flood lines. This is a calculated risk the owners have taken upon themselves,” he explained.

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Defence of Vaal Dam management amid criticism

The management of the Vaal Dam during the crisis period drew criticism from some residents, but Swart defended the Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS) handling of the situation.

“DWS managed the dam very well in my opinion. We could not have predicted that we would receive over 700mm of rain in the first 4 months of the year.

“The Dam went from 25% on New Year’s Day to 100% on 7 March. They also have to make sure the dam stays as full as possible for as long as possible. Unfortunately, when large amounts come in, large amounts need to be released, and that’s why flood lines exist,” he said.

The rapid transformation from drought conditions to flood warnings highlighted the extreme weather patterns experienced in the region during early 2025.

Municipal safety measures and communication

Swart outlined the various safety measures implemented by Midvaal Local Municipality to protect residents during the crisis and ongoing monitoring efforts.

“Midvaal Local Municipality monitors the safety of residents very closely. We invest in various safety initiatives to ensure this. One example is Midvaal’s Marine 1 Rescue boat, stationed at Vaal Marina fire station,” he said.

Swart said the municipality has also prioritised communication with residents through multiple channels.

“We communicate relevant information regularly. Not only on the official Midvaal channels and socials, but also through ward councillors like myself and my various channels and WhatsApp groups,” Swart added.

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Regional impact and future outlook

While Midvaal residents have been relatively fortunate, Swart acknowledged that other areas along the Vaal River system have faced more severe challenges.

“As far as Midvaal Local Municipality goes, our residents are generally not affected to the extent as residents in places like Parys, for example. Unfortunately, I’m not familiar with what measures the Free State has in place for places like Parys,” he said.

Looking ahead, Swart expects water levels to continue dropping gradually during the dry winter months, with levels potentially decreasing by 1% to 2% per week.

However, recent developments may help maintain higher water levels.

“Our dry winters could see a gradual drop in level of 1-2% per week. What will help significantly is the re-opening of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project tunnel, which concluded its maintenance recently and has already seen an uptick in inflows into the Vaal Dam,” he explained.

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Forward-thinking water security plans

The municipality is also exploring alternative water supply solutions to reduce dependence on traditional sources.

Swart highlighted one innovative approach being considered.

“The DA-led Midvaal Local municipality prides itself in forward-thinking plans and solutions. One such plan is, for example, ‘capturing’ water released daily from Bass Lake as an alternative water supply to bolster the reliance on just Rand Water,” he said.

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