Dam floods during heavy rainfall
The problem was made clear once an environmental manager explained the reason for the overflow.
Worried that the Lonehill Dam overflows when full? Well, Environment manager at Lonehill Residents Association (LRA), Nadeem Abrahams confirmed that it is supposed to work that way.
“The dam fills to a certain capacity and overflows through a stormwater channel to the Jukskei River.” He told the Fourways Review that if the dam does not overflow it will flood its bank and nearby businesses, so it is a good thing that the dam is overflowing. “We are glad that it fills up and overflows because this shows that the design is working the right way,” said Abrahams.
He said the positive thing about the dam overflowing is that this will wash out the weeds and undesirable greenery in the dam. Ward 94 councillor David Foley is advising residents to not cross the bridge during a heavy flow. “Rather use the bridge by the children’s park to be on the safe side,” he said. Foley said there is a specific reason why the dam was built this way, and he is so glad that it is working out. “After months and months, the dam is now safe, no longer leaking and the overflowing water is not harmful or putting residents in danger.”
Residents were alarmed because previous reports showed that the dam used to leak during heavy rainfall but the four levels of gabions (a strong wire cage filled with rocks and various cement filling) ensure that the dam will not leak again. The bridge also collapsed during heavy rainfall, but Abrahams said the structure now is built to survive the storms and heavy rainfall.
JRA spokesperson Bertha Peters-Scheepers said it’s normal for the dam to overflow during periods of heavy rain. “The JRA is responsible for the maintenance of the dam, and we are happy that the dam is fully functioning.”
Previous reports say that the dam was rebuilt to save aquatic life in the dam but according to Abrahams, he has not seen aquatic life in the river since he started his duties with the dam. If you need confirmation that the dam is safe and working well, this is it.
Related article: On social media: Recent rainfall fills up riverbanks
