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 The Vaal Dam is experiencing a steady decline in water levels this week, dropping to 100.25% on Wednesday after beginning the previous week at 103.8%, according to the Department of Water and Sanitation’s weekly report.
The dam is an essential part of the integrated Vaal River system, and has been managing the overflow through controlled gate operations. The dam is an essential part of the integrated Vaal River system, and has been managing the overflo AccordingtoThe Reservoir, a Water Resource Information Centre for the Catchment Management Forums of the Upper Vaal Water Management Area,on 10 December, the dam recorded an inflow of 286.2m³/s. toThe Reservoir, a Water Resource Information Centre for the Catchment Management Forums of the Upper Vaal Water Management Area, If heavy rains do not rapidly increase capacity this week, the dam could drop below 100% for the first time this year, since March, when it reached full capacity.
That March milestone marked the first time the dam had hit 100% since 2023. The decline has been managed through progressive gate adjustments throughout the week. On Monday, the dam stood at 100.74% with four gates open, discharging 493.9m³/s.
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The Reservoirprovided specific operational guidance for Wednesday. It advises that “for Vaal Dam, the recommendation today is to keep one gate open”. The Vaal Barrage maintained a level of 7.5 metres on Tuesday, with an outflow of 178.4 m³/s and a water temperature of 23.5 °C, indicating stable downstream conditions.
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