THE Kouga Dam’s stable water percentage, marked by three instances of spillage over the past 14 months, provides a unique backdrop for educational tours highlighting the significance of water conservation and demand management.
Rienette Colesky, CEO of the Gamtoos Water Users’ Association, said that since the eight-year-long drought ended when the Kouga Dam spilled in September 2023, they have seen an enormous amount of interest in the dam.
“Since September last year, we have received many requests from the public to tour the dam, especially when it rains or the dam spills,” said Colesky.
Even though they adhere to stringent safety measures at the dam, she said they believed they “owed” it to the community to grant public access to the facility.
“Kouga Dam is not our dam; it is the public’s dam. It is a dam for everyone drinking a glass of water, and it is for everyone who has empathy with the agricultural users during the drought,” said Colesky.
She further mentioned that allowing public access to tour the dam also serves as an opportunity to educate people about water scarcity and the importance of saving water.
Colesky said the public can also learn and understand the unique Kouga Dam wall.
“This was our aim when we first gave access to the public in September 2023, and it is still our aim today,” said Colesky.
Through free-of-charge guided tours offered by their dam expert, Andrew Murray, she said that visitors are taken on an hour-long tour that begins with a walk up 365 stairs.
Following this, visitors proceed along the catwalk, a pedestrian path situated beneath the cascading dam water, leading them to the dam’s end point.
They then return to the starting point via a walkway through the dam wall.
Colesky noted that Murray’s tour highlights not only the dam’s fascinating history but also the crucial importance of responsible water management and conservation.
“People must understand that yes, we can save the water spilling off the dam wall for another day, use it for agricultural purposes, or save it to give us more surety of our water supply, but the run-off water is very important for the environment. The water flowing to the sea is important to keep the ecology alongside the estuary and up the river in a healthy condition,” said Colesky.
Colesky said that tour feedback has been consistently excellent, including remarks from local visitors who were impressed by the dam’s spillway despite its proximity to their home town.
“We can see that the tour touches the visitors deeply,” said Colesky.
She further expressed gratitude that the dam has overflowed at least three times within the past 14 months, providing a sense of relief and reassurance.
“It puts us at ease knowing that the Kouga Dam is at a high level, which means there will be water for domestic and agricultural usage,” said Colesky.
She further mentioned that in the lead-up to Christmas Day, the tour will operate on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays for the next few weeks, with prior booking being essential.
Requirements to join the tour include:
. No children under 12 years of age
. No pets
. Visitors must be able to walk up 365 stairs
. Visitors must be able to enter small and confined spaces
. Visitors travelling with the tour group but not participating in the tour will be required to stay outside the premises
. It is advisable to travel with a bakkie as the Condomo crossing will be covered with water when the dam spills, and an alternative route will be followed
To pre-book a tour, send a message on WhatsApp to Andrew Murray at 083 490 1737.
