Your update on KwaZulu-Natal’s Current dam levels

KwaZulu-Natal’s dam levels demonstrate commendable stability this July, with the latest weekly report from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) affirming robust water storage across the majority of the province’s key reservoirs. 

Several prominent dams across KZN, including Albert Falls, Bivane, and Inanda, continue to register levels exceeding 100%, showing no discernible change from the preceding week’s figures.

While the majority of dams reported either consistent or marginally fluctuating levels, a few notable shifts were recorded. Mearns Dam experienced a substantial decline, dropping from 78.9% to 52.2%, marking the most significant decrease.

Conversely, Driel Barrage Dam saw a marked improvement, climbing from 87.2% to 90.3%. Minor adjustments were also observed at Goedertrouw, Nagle, and Woodstock dams. Overall, the provincial water supply remains in a healthy position, although the data consistently underscores the imperative of vigilant monitoring as weather patterns continue to evolve.

We will now delve into the Department of Water and Sanitation’s most recent reports to assess the current health of the province’s dams:

• Albert Falls Dam remains steady and unchanged this week at 100.2%.
• Bivane Dam remains unchanged at a healthy 100.8%.
• Craigie Burn Dam has noted an insignificant drop in its water levels, which are currently at 100.3%, as compared to the previous week’s reading of 100.4%.
• Driel Barrage Dam has noted an increase in its water levels, rising from last week’s 87.2%, to this week’s reading of 90.3%.
• Goedertrouw Dam’s water levels are currently at 99.6%, as compared to last week’s reading of 99.8%.
• Hazelemere Dam’s water levels are at 101.8%, as compared to the previous week’s reading of 101.7%.
• Hluhluwe Dam remains unchanged this week, with its water levels currently at 99.3%.
• Inanda Dam’s water levels remains unchanged from last week, standing at a healthy 101.6%.
• Klipfontein Dam remains steady and unchanged this week at 100.2%.
• Mearns Dam has noted a substantial drop in its water levels, dropping from last week’s reading of 78.9% to this week’s reading of 52.2%.
• Midmar Dam noted an insignificant drop, with its water levels currently at 98.5%, as compared to the former week’s reading of 98.6%.
• Nagle Dam’s water levels have dropped from last week’s reading of 99.9%, to this week’s reading of 96.9%.
• Ntshingwayo (Chelmsford) Dam water levels remain steady, currently at 94.8%, as compared to last week’s reading of 95%.
• Pongolapoort Dam’s water levels are currently at 95.9%, a minor difference from last week’s 96%.
• Spioenkop Dam’s water levels are at a healthy 100.1%, as compared to the previous week’s reading of 100.2%.
• Spring Grove Dam water levels remain unchanged at a healthy 99.6%.
• Wagendrift Dam’s water levels are at 100.2% this week, a minor difference from the previous week’s reading of 100.7%.
• Woodstock Dam’s water levels are at 96.6% this week, a slight improvement from last week’s reading of 96.2%.
• Zaaihoek Dam’s water levels remain unchanged at a healthy 100.5%.

The robust overall picture, with most key dams at or above full capacity, bodes well for sustaining diverse water demands across the province in the immediate future.

However, the fluctuations observed in certain dams, such as the significant decrease at Mearns Dam, serve as a pertinent reminder that localised conditions and evolving hydrological patterns necessitate continuous vigilance. The DWS’s ongoing monitoring and reporting remain crucial in adapting to changes and ensuring the long-term water security for all residents and industries within KwaZulu-Natal.

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