Vaal Dam levels remain high as sluice gate outflows reduced

As water levels remain well above capacity, outflows have been reduced at the Vaal Dam for a second consecutive day.

According to the latest data, the dam stood at 109.92% full on Tuesday, with two sluice gates initially open.

By 10am, one of the gates was closed to reduce the outflow to 307 cubic metres per second, following a slight drop in inflow levels.

Decreasing inflow offers some relief

The inflow on Tuesday had decreased to 220.7m³/s, down from 242.7m³/s recorded the previous day.

The Vaal Barrage also showed improved conditions, with a water level of 7.4m and an outflow of 601.1m³/s on Monday, a marked improvement from the 1 771m³/s recorded last week.

On Monday, Bloemhof Dam’s outflow was systematically reduced from 1 100m³/s to 800m³/s by late afternoon.

In addition, on 29 April, the Vaal Dam had surged to 119.18% capacity, prompting the opening of 10 sluice gates to manage a massive inflow of over 1 300m³/s.

“Maintain the status quo at both Vaal Dam and Bloemhof Dam regarding releases. Inflow trends show a decline, so both dams should continue to drop,” the data said.

The high levels contributed to significant downstream flooding, particularly affecting tourism and business operators around the dam.

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Business owners battle to recover

Carl Geldenhuys, the owner of Anchor Creek, a resort near the dam, said the flooding over the Easter weekend had further devastated a business already battered by years of economic hardship.

The flooding was caused by heavy rains, necessitating the department of water and sanitation to open more sluice gates.

“If you look inside the units, we’ve had to take doors off and remove vanity cabinets. Everything’s standing on blocks now to avoid water damage,” he said. “The chipboard turns to Weet-Bix if it gets wet.”

Geldenhuys revealed that one of his members suggested moving items upstairs to protect them from further flooding.

“It’s something I have to consider. But to do that, I’d need to redo plumbing and electrical work,” he added.

The hospitality sector, according to Geldenhuys, never fully recovered after the Covid pandemic.

“I built this complex for accommodation. It’s been almost six years since Covid began, and I haven’t had inquiries to fill these rooms.”

The unfinished rooms would each cost around R70 000 to complete, but he has put those plans on hold.

“Why complete them if there’s no business? I’ve got accommodation for 75 people, and a sports bar I believe, is the smartest in the Vaal Triangle.”

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