Here’s how the Vaal Dams is holding up
Around the same time last year, the Vaal Dam stood at 105.5%, and last week it was at 100.0%.
The Vaal Dam experienced stable water levels throughout the week of 14 to 18 September 2026, according to hydrological data provided by Rand Water and the Department of Water and Sanitation. The dam was filled to 99.75% capacity on Monday, then slightly decreased to 99.62% by Tuesday before settling at 99.49% for the rest of the week. Compared to the same time last year, when the dam stood at 105.5%, this week's level was lower at 100.0%. The weekly average storage level was 99.57%.
Inflow into the dam varied significantly, with readings ranging from 43.9 to 169.9 cubic metres per second. The lowest inflow was recorded on Thursday at 43.9 cubic metres per second, while the highest was on Friday at 169.9 cubic metres per second. In contrast, discharge from the dam remained constant at 16.8 cubic metres per second throughout the week, with no sluice gates opened.
Water levels at the Vaal Barrage remained mostly stable, starting at 7.6 metres on Monday and Tuesday before dropping to 7.5 metres from Wednesday to Friday. The barrage discharge fluctuated more noticeably, beginning at 30.1 cubic metres per second on Monday and Tuesday, increasing to 44.5 on Wednesday, dropping sharply to 15.1 on Thursday, and rising again to 30.1 on Friday.
Water temperature at the barrage showed a gradual increase from 16.8°C on Monday to 16.4°C on Tuesday and Wednesday, then climbing to 17.0°C on Thursday before settling at 16.9°C on Friday.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
