Vaal Dam keeps five sluice gates open
The Department of Water and Sanitation has kept five sluice gates open at the Vaal Dam to manage rising water levels.
As dam levels surge due to persistent heavy inflows, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has ramped up efforts to manage water levels at key reservoirs to prevent potential flooding and safeguard lives and infrastructure in vulnerable downstream communities.
All five Vaal Dam sluice gates remain open
All five sluice gates at the Vaal Dam remain open, following the opening of the fifth gate on Sunday morning. This decision comes as part of the department’s response to rising water volumes.
“Since the opening of the fifth sluice gate (on Sunday) morning due to the heavy inflows into the Vaal Dam, the Department of Water and Sanitation will keep all the five sluice gates opened and there will be no changes in the dam’s outflow,” the DWS confirmed in a statement.
They added that further action may be necessary depending on inflow trends: “However, should there be increased inflows into the Vaal Dam, it may result in additional gates being opened. The DWS will continue to monitor Vaal Dam and effect changes on the outflow as and when necessary.”
Rising water levels prompt caution
On Monday morning, the Vaal Dam’s water storage level reached 111.11%, a rise from 109.3% recorded on Sunday, driven by sustained inflows of 1002.25 m³/s from the upper catchment.
The Bloemhof Dam has also seen a significant increase, rising from 107% on Sunday to 112.08% on Monday. In response, the department announced a planned staggered release of water throughout Monday — from 1 400 m³/s to 1 850 m³/s by late afternoon.
These controlled releases, while necessary, come with risks. The DWS has issued a warning about potential overtopping of riverbanks downstream, especially in low-lying areas situated within the 1 in 100-year floodline.
“People living within the floodline of the Vaal River downstream of the Vaal Dam and the Bloemhof Dam should evacuate and move to a safe area and remove valuable equipment, movable infrastructure and livestock,” the department cautioned.
One sluice gate open at Grootdraai Dam
In Mpumalanga, the Grootdraai Dam — located upstream in the Upper Vaal River Catchment — also remains under careful watch. One sluice gate is currently open to manage its flow. As of Monday, the dam’s capacity was recorded at 102%.
The department emphasized that these measures are part of a broader commitment to dam safety and disaster prevention.
“The DWS is continuously monitoring the water levels in the Vaal River System. Through various platforms, the department continuously shares hydrology reports and provides regular updates regarding the water levels in the dams, with recommendations in order to provide early warnings in case of flooding.”