Free State provincial dams have reached satisfactory levels following unexpected heavy rainfall experienced throughout the country in recent weeks.

According to a weekly status of dams report released by the Department of Water and Sanitation this week, provincial dams are at 106.7% overall, compared to 101.3% at this time last year. Several dams have exceeded their full supply capacity and are overflowing, which may cause overflow on some water courses.

Provincial dams are at 106.7% overall

Krugersdrift Dam, located 38 km outside Bloemfontein, sits at 102.4% this week, down from 106.4% last week. The dam supplies the farming community in the area through canals. Sterkfontein Dam is at 99.5%, while Metsi-Matsho Dam is at 99.8%.

Gariep Dam, the country’s largest dam situated on the border of Free State and Eastern Cape, is at 109.1% this week, down from 120.4% last week. The dam yielded 98.5% at the same time last year. Gariep Dam supplies water to an Eskom hydroelectric power station housing four 90-megawatt generators, giving a maximum output of 360 MW of electricity.

Fika-Patso Dam is at 99.1% this week. Bloemhof Dam has dropped from 110.5% last week to 105.4%. Groothoek Dam has decreased from 98.9% to 98.7%.

Vanderkloof Dam, the country’s second-largest dam located downstream from Gariep Dam, has decreased from 112.3% last week to 109.1% this week. Welbedacht Dam, which supplies Mangaung, is at 100%, while Rustfontein Dam is at 100.5%.

The department continues to appeal to water users to be water wise and use water sparingly, and to report any water leaks from household taps and other water infrastructure in their area.

The department will carry out stringent inspections and assessments of all national dams under its authority to safeguard dam infrastructure.

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Recent floods have hit some regions of South Africa, resulting in damage to property and loss of life. The flash floods have damaged water and sanitation infrastructure, with some routes temporarily closed.

The Department of Water and Sanitation warns citizens to be cautious during floods. Moving water can sweep people off their feet, sweep away vehicles and damage structures.

Citizens warned to be cautious

Water and sanitation services are affected during floods. Streets in many towns remain flooded due to water drainage systems not being maintained and cleaned during dry months, resulting in inaccessible roads that make travelling difficult.

Floods can result in a large influx of water into river systems and dams, leading to satisfactory storage of water during the winter season when little to no rain is expected.