According to the acting managing director of JRA, Mpho Kau, the 103-year-old dam’s ageing infrastructure, along with erosion and several damaging floods, have necessitated the City’s investment in proactive maintenance of this landmark.
“While Emmarentia Dam had significant improvements undertaken in 1988, a comprehensive investigation recently undertaken by JRA confirmed that preventative maintenance and flood retention protection is required to safeguard the dam’s integrity and ensure the safety of residential properties downstream,” Kau said.
He added that the stability of the dam’s wall was at risk and that urgent repairs were required.
“We request the community’s co-operation whilst work is underway, as all rehabilitation will be undertaken without draining the dam.”
The project is scheduled to be completed in January next year.
The project includes but is not limited to:
- Improving the flood prevention facility system to protect properties located downstream
- Repairing the dam wall by strengthening the stone protection layer
- Addressing the obstructions currently located upstream of the culvert spillway which decreases the dam’s capacity
- The removal of the canoe storage shed located in the immediate vicinity of the spillway inlet which poses a serious risk in terms of public safety. It will be relocated across the road to the larger canoe storage shed.
- Removal of trees on the banks
- Implementing protection measures to prevent future erosion caused by the high volume of flood water, which includes the gabion wall reconstruction and repairs, as well as reconstructing the bottom of the channel
- Construction of a concrete wall in the area where the channel is in close proximity to the roadway to prevent damage to the road, and the reconstruction of Olifants Road.
For a full list of JRA’s Emmarentia Dam upgrades visit their website.
Details: www.joburg.org.za/index.php
