Cape Town dam levels vs Vaal Dam: First water readings for 2020
Both the Cape Town dam levels and those of the Vaal Dam in Gauteng are being kept under close observation this summer. Not only is the Mother City braced to lose a significant amount of water (as-per the advent of warmer months), but those in the north-east face an uncertain time as well.
The Vaal Dam is the biggest water-supplying resevoir in South Africa. It’s integral to the reticulation system in Gauteng. But with levels plummeting below the 40% recently, Johannesburg has had to implement low-level water restriction for its residents. So, how are both systems faring at the start of the year? It’s a tale of mixed fortunes.
Cape Town dam levels for Thursday 2 January 2020
It hasn’t been the merriest of Christmases for the Cape Town dam levels. Over the festive period, they have lost almost 2% of their combined water totals. The facilities stand at 75.4% full, with each major dam having to endure losses. Theewaterskloof has dipped under the two-thirds-full mark for the first time this summer.
On the whole, the difference between now and 12 months agao is still a positive one for the Mother City. The dams are 9.5% above what they were in January 2019. At the last count, Capetonians are using 667 million litres per day, which is about 3% above the city’s desired maximum consumption target.
| Major dams | 2/1/2020 (latest readings) | Previous week | % 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berg River | 91.1 |
93.3 |
90.0 |
| Steenbras Lower |
84.0 |
86.5 |
68.6 |
| Steenbras Upper | 99.9 |
100.2 |
70.2 |
| Theewaterskloof | 67.0 |
68.6 |
51.0 |
| Voëlvlei |
79.5 |
81.9 |
84.5 |
| Wemmershoek |
80.3 |
82.9 |
78.6 |
| Total Stored Ml | 677 616 |
694 599 |
591 926 |
| % Storage | 75.4 |
77.3 |
65.9 |
Gauteng: Latest water levels for the Vaal Dam on Thursday 2 January 2020
Where the Cape Town dam levels have faltered, the Vaal Dam has excelled. Gauteng residents were given a late Christmas present when the dam levels surpassed the 50% mark on Boxing Day. Since then, progress has been slow and steady, as the beleaguered facility heads toward a more calming combined total.
- Friday 27 December: 50.03%
- Saturday 28 December: 50.1%
- Sunday 29 December: 50.1%
- Monday 30 December: 50.42%
- Tuesday 31 December: 50.5%
- Wednesday 1 January: 50.5%
- Thursday 2 January: 50.51%
Vaal Dam at 50.5%
— SA Weather🌩️sawx.co.za (@sawx_sa_weather) January 2, 2020
Thu 2 Jan.
Vaal Dam Level 17.64m.
👉Full 50.5%.
👉Inflow 49.47m3/s.
Discharge 16.77m3/s.
River Valves Open 1×100%; 1×50%.
Gates Open 0.#VaalDam https://t.co/uKCmJMBmZY
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