The Bergriver Dam in the Western Cape overflowed this week after good rains and is 100% full, 1 August 2019. Picture: Facebook
Steady rains driven by at least two cold fronts which enveloped the Western Cape in the past few weeks has resulted in a major increase in dam levels in the province, with the Clanwilliam Dam near the West Coast alone rising by over 20% in only a week.
Good rainfall saw the Clanwilliam Dam rise to 71.6%, up by 24.3%, while the Theewaterskloof, the Western Cape’s biggest dam, increased by 8.6% from last week to reach 61.7%.
Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell said the latest average level for dams across the province is 56.6%.
A year ago, it stood at 50.5%.
The City of Cape Town’s dams stood at 56.4% in 2018, but is currently on 72% full.
“Four of the five major catchment areas now see dam levels in excess of 50% full. The ongoing problem area is the Gouritz River catchment area which feeds a big part of the interior Karoo region. We remain concerned regarding the ongoing drought challenge particularly to the agriculture sector in this region,” Bredell said in a statement this week.
The Gouritz River catchment is currently on 23.89%, up from last week’s 23.76.
Last year, it stood at a lowly 19.37%
The other two major dams are the Voëlvlei and Bergriver dams.
The Voëlvlei is currently 74.4% full. Last week it stood at 69.1% and in 2018, 58.8%.
The Bergriver Dam is 100% full this week, compared to 92.7% full last week and 86% a year ago.
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