DWS shuts two Vaal Dam sluice gates as inflows ease, warns of possible flooding downstream

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has started closing two of the 10 sluice gates currently open at the Vaal Dam as inflows into the system continue to drop.

According to the department, the first gate was closed at 10am and another will be shut at noon, the department said on Sunday.

All gates at the Barrage Dam were opened from Saturday morning at hourly intervals to allow free flow of water from the Vaal Dam.

DWS spokesperson Wisane Mavasa said eight sluice gates will remain open to maintain controlled releases.

"As at this morning, the Vaal Dam water levels have decreased from 106.80% to 104.51% with an inflow of 801.78 m³/s. The Bloemhof Dam water levels have risen from 97.76% to 99.44% owing to the inflows from upstream, necessitating an increase in controlled releases at the dam," she said.

Mavasa said the adjustments form part of ongoing flood-management operations aimed at balancing inflows and outflows while safeguarding key water infrastructure.

She warned that increased releases from Bloemhof may lead to overflowing riverbanks and floodplains downstream.

"With increased releases from the Bloemhof Dam, downstream areas may experience overflowing riverbanks and floodplains.Farmers and residents with pumps, movable equipment, or infrastructure situated close to the water’s edge are advised to move their assets, livestock and valuable property to higher ground.The Department of Water and Sanitation remains on high alert and will continue to conduct real-time monitoring of inflows at both Vaal and Bloemhof Dams. Further updates will be issued as conditions change," she said.