The scenario at Qedusizi Dam has drastically changed over a three-day period this week, serving its purpose of not allowing the town to flood as was the case in the past.
On Tuesday morning (February 9), a huge volume of water was seen at the dam wall, making its way through and then into the Klip River. However, on Thursday afternoon (February 11), less than half the water mass was seen in the area.
The dam is nowhere near its ‘full’ mark, and protected the town quite nicely over the past few days.
The Qedusizi Flood Attenuation Dam was constructed in October 1998 by the then Department of Water Affairs & Forestry. Its purpose was to reduce the risk of flooding in the low-lying areas of Ladysmith.
The 32m-high dam is designed in such a way that the flood water from the Klip River and Sand Spruit will be stored temporarily.
The impounded water is released at a controlled rate, taking into consideration the safe carrying capacity of the Klip River through Ladysmith, while at the same time taking due cognizance of the effects of flooding from the intermediate catchment area, mainly the Flagstone Spruit.
The flood release rate from the dam is restricted to about 450m3/s. This is achieved by the provision of the two uncontrolled flood openings, each 3.2m high and 5m wide, through the dam at riverbed level.
When the dam was constructed in 1998, the then Department of Water Affairs & Forestry (DWAF), as the custodian of the Qedusizi Dam, entered into an agreement with the then Emnambithi/Ladysmith Council whereby the powers of control, operations and maintenance of the Ladysmith Flood Control Scheme was delegated to the latter, with Council to implement the roles and responsibilities stipulated in the manual.
