Hazelmere Dam update

Hazelmere Dam levels are 39.52 per cent today (March 21) up from 37.86 per cent measured on March 17.
Remind Easter holiday visitors of the water restrictions which will continue to be enforced until the dam is at least 60 percent full.

There has been a slight increase in the level of Hazelmere Dam, following about 58mm rainfall month to date. However, this rainfall is below the monthly average of 85mm,” said Corporate Stakeholder Manager, Umgeni Water: Shami Harichunder.
“On March 18, the level of Hazelmere Dam was at 37, 86 per cent, about three per cent higher than the level two weeks ago, but it is nine per cent lower than a year ago.
“The amount of water in the dam is not adequate to either ease or lift restrictions. Water restrictions of 50 per cent will remain in place until the situation improves.”

The state of water resources on March 18:

Hazelmere system
Hazelmere Dam = 37, 86%. A year ago the level of this dam was 46, 84%. An emergency transfer scheme that was constructed by Umgeni Water at a cost of R34 million – this scheme transfers about 8Ml/d water from uThongathi River into Hazelmere Dam through a 7, 5km pipeline – has stabilised the level of this dam to mid-30%. If this emergency scheme was not constructed, Hazelmere Dam would have reached dead storage by now. Dead storage means that surface water would have been depleted and all that would have been left in the dam is silt, which cannot be treated.
The amount of rainfall received at Hazelmere Dam month to date amounts to 58, 70mm – against a monthly average of 85, 02mm. There is a monthly deficit of 26, 32mm in the high rainfall season.

Mgeni System
Midmar = 46, 22%. A year ago the level of this dam was 77, 92%
Spring Grove = 86, 86%. A year ago the level of this dam was 100%
Mearns Dam = 103%. A year ago the level of this dam was 113%. Mearns is currently overflowing as a result of the Little Mooi River being in a strong state.
Albert Falls = 35, 92%. A year ago the level of this dam was 75, 8%
Nagle = 82, 36%. A year ago the level of this dam was 73, 04%
Inanda = 80, 08%. A year ago the level of this dam was 96, 2%
The amount of rainfall received in the Mgeni system catchments month to date amounts to a total of 348, 42mm – against a monthly average of 489, 34mm. This means there is a monthly deficit of 140, 92mm in the high rainfall season.

South Coast System
EJ Smith Dam = 97, 13%. A year ago the level of this dam was 71, 71%
Nungwane = 83, 92%. A year ago the level of this dam was 64, 51%.
Umzinto = 100, 28%. Water is being transferred into this dam through an emergency scheme from Mpampinyoni River. The emergency scheme was constructed by Umgeni Water at a cost of R30 million. A year ago the level of this dam was 80, 67%.
The amount of rainfall received month to date in the Middle-South Coast system amounts to 198, 5mm – against a monthly average of 212,28. The month to date rainfall received in this system is close to the monthly average, therefore the deficit of 13, 78 is not significant. All of the dams that supply the Middle-South Coast are also in a strong state.

Ixopo system
Ixopo Dam = 31, 14%. The level of this dam continues to rise steadily. A year ago the level of this dam was 102, 52% and overflowing. Water is being transferred into this dam through an emergency scheme that has been constructed by Umgeni Water.
The rainfall received month to date amounts to 44, 54mm – against a monthly average of 31, 11mm. This system, in month to date, has received above the monthly average rainfall.

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