The Vaal Dam system is gradually returning to more manageable levels, currently experiencing an inflow of 77.3m³/s.
The Vaal Dam wall is seen with during a period of heavy rains, 3 January 2021. Picture: Michel Bega
Water levels at the Vaal Dam have remained stable for approximately a week, consistently hovering just above 107% full.
Since April’s heavy rainfall and subsequent flood threats, the dam has maintained levels exceeding 100% but below 120%.
Despite the substantial decrease since April, the Vaal Dam continues to maintain high water levels, currently standing at 107.69% as of Wednesday.
Current Vaal Dam readings
According to the latest measurements from The Reservoir, a Water Resource Information Centre for the Catchment Management Forums of the Upper Vaal Water Management Area, the dam is currently experiencing an inflow of 77.3m³/s while maintaining a reduced outflow of 16.8m³/s.
Downstream at the Vaal Barrage, water levels measure 7.5m with an outflow of 22.6m³/s.
The current water temperature at the barrage stands at 14.7°C.
ALSO READ: Last Vaal Dam sluice gate closed: Here’s what level the dam is sitting at
Three-week trend of Vaal Dam water levels stability
Midvaal councillor Pieter Swart provided additional context about the dam’s recent performance in a social media update on Tuesday.
“This high percentage reflects a trend of the dam being around 107% full for the past three weeks, as seen in the graph from late April to mid-May,” Swart stated.
The councillor noted that on Tuesday, the Vaal Dam maintained its storage level at 107.56%, identical to Monday’s reading of 107.56%.
ALSO READ: The Vaal Dam is full, now what?
Daily fluctuations
The dam’s inflow on Tuesday measured 80.1m³/s, showing a slight decrease from Monday’s reading of 84.0m³/s.
Meanwhile, discharge rates dropped significantly from 35.2m³/s on Monday to 17.0m³/s on Tuesday.
Water authorities have implemented controlled release measures throughout this period. While no sluice gates are currently open, one river valve remains in operation.
This represents a change from Monday’s water management approach, when two valves were opened with a discharge of 16.8m³/s.
NOW READ: Vaal Dam reaches 100% capacity for first time since 2023
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