eShowe’s Goedertrouw dam overflows, while Pongolapoort water released
As at Tuesday, 3 May, Goedertrouw dam levels were recorded as being 99.76%, up from 97.49% the previous week.
After recent heavy rains, Goedertrouw dam in eShowe started to spill on Wednesday, having reached 99.6% capacity on Monday, 2 May.
The Mhlathuze River has begun flowing below the overflow.
ALSO READ: Updated regional dam levels publicised dam levels statistics update
State of Zululand dams
As at Tuesday, 3 May, Goedertrouw dam levels were recorded as being 99.76%, up from 97.49% the previous week.
Hluhluwe dam is at 82.81% this week, a small increase from 81.80% the previous week.
Pongolapoort is at 86.30% this week, a 4% decrease from last week’s 90.55%.
This after the KZN Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) announced late last month that water had to be released in accordance with the dam’s 85% operating rule.
A decision was made to release water at a rate of 75 cubic meters per second, with ongoing monitoring of the dam’s water level.
Communities living downstream of Pongolapoort dam were urged by DWS to be aware of the release which would cause flooding to their areas of work or habitat.
‘Those with livestock and equipment are advised to move these away from the banks and surrounding areas for safety and protection of lives and livelihoods,’ said DWS spokesperson Sputnik Ratau at the time.
Meanwhile, Klipfontein dam recorded 101.31% this week, down from last week’s 104.98%.
Between 26 April and 2 May, rainfall in the Goedertrouw vicinity was a mere 0.4mm, while Hluhluwe received 13.4mm, Klipfontein 8.8mm and Pongolapoort 0.0mm.
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