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Vaal Dam Opens More Sluice Gates as Rising Water Levels Trigger Evacuation Warnings
A river system under pressure
The Vaal Dam has been gathering water rapidly after days of heavy rain across the region. After the dam surged past full capacity and reached more than 109 percent by Monday, officials had already opened five sluice gates to ease the pressure. Then came another decision. Three more gates would open on Tuesday at 10 am, 12 pm, and 2 pm, bringing the total to eight.
The Reservoir, which tracks water information for the Upper Vaal Water Management Area, reported inflows of 883 cubic metres per second and outflows of 727 cubic metres per second at the main dam. Further downstream, the Vaal Barrage recorded even higher outflow volumes, with water levels lifting to seven point five metres. For residents who live close to the riverbanks, these figures indicate a heightened flood risk.
Evacuation alerts create concern
Authorities have now issued evacuation warnings to families, farmers, and businesses situated in low-lying areas along the Vaal River. A message sent to communities urged people to act quickly by staying alert, moving valuables away from the water, and following any evacuation request without delay.
Midvaal councillor Pieter Swart said the situation could worsen if inflows remain high. He noted that the same communities hit by previous river overflows may be at risk again. Properties built within the one-in-one-hundred-year floodline carry the highest danger. Swart explained that the Department of Water and Sanitation is focused on managing dam levels and river flow and cannot guarantee the safety of assets placed inside known flood zones.
How the system is being managed
The Vaal Dam is currently using what is known as surcharge capacity. It allows the dam to hold more water for a limited period while engineers regulate releases to protect downstream communities. On Monday, the dam recorded very high inflows of 962 cubic metres per second while discharging only 63 cubic metres per second. Controlled releases were then increased to prevent further pressure on the structure.
This is not a localised challenge. Bloemhof Dam, which sits lower along the system, is also close to full at 99.62 percent. Authorities there have been instructed to raise outflows to 600 cubic metres per second. The dam is currently releasing just over 400 cubic metres per second as it prepares to handle its own surge of incoming water.
Councillor Swart emphasised that both the Vaal and Bloemhof Dams are working together within the Integrated Vaal River System. Their joint management ensures safety and continued water security for Gauteng, although it does mean controlled releases will remain active until conditions stabilise.
Communities brace for what comes next
For residents across the Vaal Triangle, the concern is real. With more rain expected in parts of Gauteng and the Free State, authorities are urging the public to stay informed. If river levels continue to rise, the next few days could prove crucial.
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Source: The Citizen
Featured Image: Polity.org.za
