R20-million revamp of Emmarentia Dam underway
EMMARENTIA – JRA has embarked on an eight-month rehabilitation project for Emmarentia Dam.
The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has embarked on an eight-month rehabilitation project for Emmarentia Dam at a cost of R20 million.
At 103 years, the dam’s ageing infrastructure, erosion, corrosion and significant floods have demanded the City’s investment in proactive maintenance.
“While Emmarentia Dam had significant improvements undertaken in 1988, a comprehensive investigation recently undertaken by the 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,” said JRA acting managing director Mpho Kau.
He added, “The investigation revealed some subsiding with the dam wall slope stability to be potentially at risk, and that urgent repairs are required.”
Kau also stated that they request the community’s cooperation while work is underway.
The project is set to finish in January 2016.
The project scope includes:
• Improving the flood prevention facility system to protect properties located downstream of the dam from flooding
• Excavating and repairing the pipework and surrounding soil at the storm water structures located along the dam, altering outlet structures repairing the box culvert outlet, widening the control section and constructing a gabion wall on the eastern side of the outlet
• Repairing the dam wall by strengthening the stone protection layer
• Addressing the obstructions currently located in the upstream of the culvert spillway which decrease the capacity, including the removal of the canoe storage shed located in the vicinity of the spillway inlet as this poses a serious risk in terms of public safety
• Removal of trees located on the side of the left bank, as well as a large plane tree on the upstream embankment
• Implementing protection measures to prevent future erosion caused by the high volumes of flooding water which includes gabion wall reconstruction and repairs
• Construction of a concrete wall in the area where the channel comes in close proximity to the roadway to prevent damage to the roadway.
