Thanks to the recent heavy rain and regular inflow of water from various catchment areas, as of July 21, the Kouga Dam is at 43.93 percent which is an increase of almost 11 percent since the start of month.
Rienette Colesky, CEO of Gamtoos Irrigation Board said from July 1, the Kouga Dam level has increased by approximately 1 percent every second day, with some exceptions.
“Since June 1 the dam has increased by 20 percent which is amazing,” said Colesky.
She said the increase is because of good rain in the Langkloof catchment and in the vicinity of the dam.
Coleskysaid since the system is already filled, the dam was able to increase at a faster pace compared to if the system was dry.
“If the system was dry during this time, it would take longer for the river to fill up and have a base flow to accommodate additional rain coming down,” said Colesky.
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“Fortunately, there is already a base flow so any rain that falls in the catchment runs down into the Kouga Dam.”
Colesky said due to the rain that fell in the Langkloof on July 20, they do expect the dam to be at 45 percent or more by July 24.
“The increase in the dam levels is looking good,” said Colesky.
She said on July 21, they found that at Stuurmanskraal, which supplies the Kouga Dam with water, they were able to measure 8 900 litres per second of water flowing.
Colesky said from July 12 to 14 the reading at Stuurmanskraal peaked to about 17?400 litres.
“The reading at Stuurmanskraal has decreased since then, but is increasing again,” said Colesky.
According to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality wesbite, as of July 21, the dam levels are as follows, Churchill – 58.6 percent, Impofu – 9.97 percent, Loerie – 100 percent, Kouga – 43.93 percent and Groendal – 100 percent. The combined percentage is 35.93 percent.
