Ebenezer Dam level significantly higher than last week

LIMPOPO – Water levels in the listed dams in the province continue to record impressive levels. This can be seen through the major improvement in dams like Ebenezer which was less than 15% in December 2020 but now stands above 60%.

Department of Water and Sanitation latest weekly Status of Dams report once again indicates a significant rise in the provincial water storage since last week.  On Monday, 8 February the provincial storage stands at 84.7%, an 11.6% from last week’s 73.1%. This is a favourable figure as compared to 64% at the same time last year.

According to the report, Ebenezer and Flag Boshielo dams, which form part of Polokwane Water Supply System, benefited from the recent heavy rains; Ebenezer now stands at 60.2.% from last week’s 49.2%. Same period last year it at 21.2%. While Flag Boshielo Dam recorded a substantial increase from 82.9% last week, to 105% this week.

Magoebaskloof Dam located between Polokwane and Tzaneen which provides irrigation to the surrounding areas is overflowing at 102.4%. Dap Naudé Dam still sits comfortably at 105.8% and Modjadji is at 59.8% a significant rise from last week’s 42.2%.

Doorndraai dam shows a substantial increase and stands at 20.4% compared to last week’s 14.9%. De hoop Dam situated in the eastern part of the province stands at 1.2.4%. This is a considerable rise from last year’s 87.4%.

Rust De Winter Dam has increased from 101.9% last week to 103%.

The biggest Dam in Vhembe District; Nandoni situated in the Luvuvhu River, which despite supplying water also provides various places for fishing, camping and lodging is pleasantly sitting at 104.3% a slim decline from last week’s 107.5%.

Klaserie is at 105.1% a drop from last week’s 107.8% and Albasini at 84.2%.

The following dams are also hovering above 100% mark: Hans Merensky 105.1%, Houtrivier 101.1%, Luphephe 102.6%, Magoebaskloof 102.7% Mutshedzi 102.4&, Nwanedzi 110.6%, Nzhelele 106.6%, Tontedoos 101.3%, Tours 101.2%, Vergelegen 102.6%, Vlugkraal 100.3% and Vondo dam at 102.3%.

The dams in the province that are acutely low are; Middel-Letaba which is at 6.4% a slight increase from last week’s 4.1% and Warmbad remains unchanged at 17.1%.

As the rainfall continues to swell the rivers, dams and streams, the department urges the public to stay away from the watercourses to prevent the loss of life and property. They also encourage the public to practice rainwater harvesting and collect rainwater to ease the strain on water systems. Always remember that South Africa is a water scarce country, and even during these heavy downpours, every drop counts for water security for the current and future generations.