Vaal Dam celebrates minor milestone

As of 20 February 2026, South Africa’s largest dam has remained above its full supply level for 350 consecutive days, a sustained run that, when measured against where the dam stood at the same time last year, highlights how dramatically the water picture has shifted. According to the latest data fromThe Reservoir, a Water Resource Information Centre for the Catchment Management Forums of the Upper Vaal Water Management Area, the dam closed out the week at 100.50%, with inflows of 47.0 m3/s and outflows of 21.4 m3/s. No sluice gates were open, an indication that, while levels remain above full supply, the pressure on the structure has eased somewhat compared to earlier in the week.

The week of 16 to 20 February told a story of slow but steady retreat from a high point, though the dam remained well within comfortable territory throughout. On 16 February, the dam sat at 101.13%, recording its highest inflow of the observed period at 89.6m3/s, nearly double the outflow of 21.4m3/s. The following day, 18 February, saw the dam maintain its 101.00% reading even as inflows continued to slow, dropping to 60.9m3/s.

The week closed on 20 February at 100.50%, the lowest reading of the five-day period, but still above the full supply level that water managers use as a key benchmark. The Vaal Barrage, situated downstream of the dam, maintained a water level of 7.5 metres throughout the period. Its outflows varied during the week, rising from 10.1m3/s at the start to 30.0m3/s on 16 February before returning to 10.1m3/s by the end of the observed period.