WATCH Hartbeespoort Dam Overflowing and Vaal Dam Reaches 100%

Gauteng residents were rejoicing on Monday evening, as the Vaal Dam reached 100% capacity. Less than two months ago, in December, the dam had been struggling and was less than 25% full!

South Africa’s Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) confirmed: “The Vaal Dam has reached 100% at 17:00 this afternoon (8 February 2021). Meanwhile, strong inflows from the catchments supplying the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) continue strongly.”

According to the DWS, this time last year the Vaal Dam recorded 57%. The Department said water contributions are coming from both the Wilge and Vaal Rivers.

The DWS says most of the 14 Dams in the IVRS are recharging “remarkably”.

According to Gauteng Weather this is the first time in almost three years that the Vaal Dam has hit 100%. The last time was in 2018. The dam has the capacity to go up to around 126% full, said Gauteng Weather.

😍🤩💧FIRST PICTURES of the VAAL DAM at 100% FULL LATE MONDAY! Amazing recovery, considering that the dam was below 29% full just 3 months ago | 📸Lydia van der Merwe pic.twitter.com/9FXPbl94g4

— Gauteng Weather (@tWeatherSA) February 8, 2021

The Vaal Dam is SA’s second biggest dam (Gariep Dam is the largest) when measured by area, and its fourth largest by volume. According to Gauteng Tourism the Vaal dam has more than 800km of shoreline and spans three provinces (Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Free State).

Several parts of South Africa have recently received heavy rainfall as a result of ex-Tropical Cyclone Eloise.

The Hartbeespoort Dam in North West is also overflowing, with videos going viral on social media.

WATCH Hartbeespoort Dam (Harties) overflowing

Gauteng publicist Georg Knoke posted this video by Fanie du Toit, and said: “Unbelievable!
Water water water everywhere – at the Hartebeespoort Dam – as all 10 sluices were opened after fantastic rain!”