Free State dam levels rise slightly to 100.5% as several key reservoirs record declines,

The overall water levels in the Free State have shown a marginal improvement this week, rising to 100.5%, compared with 100.4% last week, according to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).

The provincial average is also higher than during the same period last year, when dam levels stood at 99.5%.

Despite the relatively stable water situation, the department continues to urge residents and other water users to use water responsibly, warning that water remains a scarce resource that must be conserved.

Several Free State dams record declines

While the provincial average has increased slightly, a number of important dams have recorded decreases in their water levels.

• Rustfontein Dam: Down from 92.4% to 91.8%.
• Groothoek Dam: Down from 92.6% to 92.4%.
• Metsi-Matsho Dam: Down from 88.1% to 84.5%.
• Fika-Patso Dam: Down from 79.2% to 78.3%.

The declines highlight the importance of continued monitoring, particularly as demand for water and changing weather conditions can affect reservoir levels.

Krugersdrift and Bloemhof levels increase

Elsewhere, some reservoirs have recorded modest increases.

Krugersdrift Reservoir, situated on the Modder River approximately 35 kilometres northwest of Bloemfontein, rose from 100% last week to 100.3% this week.

Bloemhof Dam, located roughly 10 kilometres upstream from the town of Bloemhof, also increased, rising from 109.6% to 110%.

Sterkfontein and Welbedacht remain unchanged

Sterkfontein Dam, known for its deep, clear blue water, has maintained its level at 98.7% for the second consecutive week.

Welbedacht Dam, situated on the Caledon River in the Free State, has also remained unchanged at 100%.

Gariep and Vanderkloof dams show improvement

South Africa’s largest reservoir, Gariep Dam, recorded a 0.4 percentage-point increase, rising from 99.9% to 100.3%.

Downstream, Vanderkloof Dam also registered an improvement, increasing by 0.2 percentage points from 99.5% to 99.7%.

The increases provide a positive indication of water availability in two of the country’s major storage reservoirs.

Department urges responsible water use

The DWS says it will continue to monitor the country’s water resources closely.

The department has reiterated that stable or high dam levels should not lead to complacency, urging all water users to continue using water wisely.

“Water remains a scarce resource that needs to be properly conserved.”

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