Farmers along Vaal and Orange river warned about flooding as dam sluice gates opened

Farmers along the Vaal and Orange river have been warned about possible flooding as more dam sluice gates are opened to reduce water levels.

Heavy rains have caused many rivers and dams to overflow. Water levels in the Vaal and Orange River system have risen rapidly requiring more of the Vaal Dam's sluice gates to be opened.

Six had already been opened and an additional four gates were opened on Friday to release more water, said department of water & sanitation spokesperson Wisane Mavasa.

This would affect farming communities along the river system who are urged to take measures to protect human life and livestock and avoid damage to property as water levels rise.

“We appeal to the farmers to be extra careful when the water levels rise, especially along the river system. They should adjust their water pumps, remove livestock and equipment out and away from the riverbanks. We also appeal to the general community to avoid fishing or swimming during heavy rains,” she said.

By Friday, the outflow from the Bloemhof Dam had increased from 1,600 cubic metres per second to 1,800 cubic metres, said Mavasa.

“Depending on the weather conditions in the next few days and resultant changes in river flow levels, more gates may still be opened or some may be closed at Vaal Dam. The same applies to outflow from Bloemhof Dam,” she said.

The department will put measures in place to ensure the floods are managed effectively.

“All gauging equipment at sites used for flood monitoring are equipped with real-time river and dam level data transmission capability. This data is analysed to determine rainfall, river and dam level trends which enable the detection of the possibility and timing of flooding,” said Mavasa.

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