Issued by: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
STRONG INFLOWS BUT FLOOD DANGER RECEDING
19 December 1995
The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry can report the following regarding the water situation:
Hartbeespoort Dam
The rumours about possible failure of the dam are totally unfounded. The level of the dam is 96% and inflow is receding. The dam's structure is sound and there is no reason for fear. None of the flood gates have been opened yet. As a normal operating procedure the Local Civil Defense organisation in Brits has been warned to be on standby should large flow releases be needed. In this case farmers would have to remove pumps along the Crocodile River.
Vaal River System
The levels of dams in the system are rising and total storage in the system is improving.
Dam Level
Vaal Dam 35% Sterkfontein Dam 46% Bloemfontein Dam 23% Grootdraai Dam 100 + %
Storage in total system of 12 dams: 3 300 million m3 out of a total of 8 225 million m3 or 40% of total storage.
Wen considering the lifting of restrictions both the storage in the total system and individual dams are examined to ascertain whether the full demand can be supplied or not.
Orange River
The Orange River is flowing strongly and dam levels will soon rise when the inflows from the upper catchment reach the dams. The following dam levels were reported:
Dam Level Gariep Dam 36% Vanderkloof Dam 43%
Good flows were measured at the following places:
Oranje Draai (near Lesotho border) 2300 m3/s Aliwal North 380 m3/s below Welbedacht Dam 347 m3/s
KwaZulu/Natal - At Ladysmith the Klip River's level is dropping with a flow of 250 m3/s. No flooding of Ladysmith has occurred.
Other dam levels are as follows:
Level
Dam Today Yesterday The water level in the Katse Dam which was closed on 20 October 1995 is fast approaching the threshold level for storage that can be maintained during further construction. Water will soon be released which will supplement the flow int he Orange River.
Enquiries: Dr Paul Roberts (012) 299-2032
Ms Christa Barnard (012) 299-2596