Weija Dam spillage determined by water inflows, not fixed schedule – GWL
The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has clarified that spillage from the Akosombo Dam is not limited to once a year, explaining that the decision is largely determined by the volume of water flowing into the dam.
Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has clarified that the Weija Dam's sporadic spillage is not tied to a fixed annual schedule, but rather hinges on the volume of water entering the dam. In an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Stanley Martey, GWL's Head of Public Relations and Communications, stated that the dam's spillage could persist for several weeks in certain years, contingent on rainfall and inflows.
However, it could also be halted and resumed as water levels fluctuate. Martey highlighted that the key determinant for spillage is the amount of water entering the dam. "It depends on the inputs. If we have more inputs, we will spill," he explained. The GWL authorities continuously monitor the dam's water level, and trigger spillage when it nears a threshold deemed necessary for safe operation.
During the major rainy season, this threshold could be as low as 44 feet, given the potential for rapid and sustained inflows. Conversely, during the minor rainy season, the authorities might allow the water level to rise slightly higher, up to 45 feet, before releasing excess water. Martey stressed that the spillage's duration and frequency are thus dictated by prevailing rainfall and inflow conditions, not a predetermined timetable.
This clarification arrives as renewed concerns have emerged over the latest Weija Dam spillage and its consequences for communities residing along the Densu River. Martey also expressed concern regarding the reluctance of some residents to relocate to safer areas, despite multiple warnings from authorities. He pointed out that the continued occupancy and development of areas vulnerable to rising water levels exacerbates the risk of flooding whenever the dam has to release excess water.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
