Dept of water averts Vaal Dam crisis

The department of water and sanitation has successfully reduced the Vaal Dam's level from 109.3% to a more manageable 101.24%, averting a flood crisis that threatened riverside communities and businesses in the area.

- Enkosi Selane

According to the latest measurements from The Reservoir, a water resource information centre for the catchment management forums of the upper Vaal water management area, the dam stood at 101.24% as of yesterday.

The dam has an inflow of 329.8m³/s and an outflow of 549m³/s through three open sluice gates.

The dramatic turnaround marks a stark contrast to the same period last year, when the dam stood at just 30.9%, according to the department.