Two sluice gates at the Vaal Dam are opened, 28 December 2021, after water levels at the dam reached 107.6%. The opening of the sluice gates follows consistent heavy rains over two weeks in catchments supporting the Integrated Vaal River System and Orange River. Picture: Michel Bega Multiple provinces in South Africa are reporting dam levels exceeding full capacity amid the country’s summer rainfall season.
According to the Department of Water and Sanitation’s provincial weekly report on dam levels dated 5 January 2026, the national water storage system is experiencing rising dam levels across provinces. The department has previously stated that it systematically operated and monitored major dams to ensure they performed as intended, including for domestic use, maintenance, agriculture and irrigation. “Dams are developed to suit the conditions and requirements of various regions.
It is thus to be expected that there will be differences in dam capacities.” Of the 21 monitored dams in the Free State, 10 have reached or exceeded full storage capacity. Thedepartment reportedthat eight dams recorded levels above 90%, while only two remain below the 60% threshold. The Vaal River Barrage Dam is the only dam that has recorded a level of 80%, currently standing at 87%.
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The province’s total storage capacity stands at 100.5% this week, according to the department’s latest data, maintaining the same level as last week and representing a substantial increase from last year’s 68.6%. Major storage facilities are performing exceptionally well. The Vaal Dam, with a full storage capacity of 2.5 billion cubic metres, recorded 103.8% capacity this week.
This is a slight increase from last week’s 103.6% and a dramatic improvement from last year’s 24.0% recorded around the same period. The department noted that the Bloemhof Dam, with a capacity of 1.2 billion cubic metres, reached 98.0%.
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