The Department of Water and Sanitation has cautioned communities, farmers and all water users in the lower Orange and lower Vaal River system to remain on high alert as rivers continue to rise due to heavy rainfall.
THE DEPARTMENT of Water and Sanitation has cautioned communities, farmers and all water users in the lower Orange and lower Vaal River system to remain on high alert as rivers continue to rise due to heavy rainfall.
Department spokesperson Moholoeng Amogelang said on Monday that upstream of the Vaal River, the Vaal Dam was spilling at 111.59 percent and discharging at 1,196 cubic metres per second after the recent rainfall.
“One sluice gate out of seven gates will be closed on Monday after one was closed on April 24,” said Amogelang. “Vanderkloof Dam at the border of the Free State and Northern Cape is spilling at 105.77 percent.
“Gauging stations indicate that Katlani gauging point, which is just below the Vaal and Orange River confluence in Douglas, is at a height of just over 6.2 metres. The Upington gauging point is just over 5.6 metres. Blouputs gauging point in the Orange River near the Augrabies waterfalls is at a height of just over three metres.
“Water levels in the Vaal and Orange river system will vary depending on the width and depth of the river.”
Amogelang warned that no recreational water activities, such as swimming, boating or fishing, would be allowed until flooding had subsided and no danger was posed to human lives and livestock.
“The Northern Cape disaster team remains on high alert to attend to any situation,” Amogelang added.
