ZULULAND farmers and conservationists are celebrating a great start to the year, with good rains falling throughout most of the region in the first week of January.
Despite these rains, the latest dam levels as supplied by the Department fo Water and Sanitation shows that the Goedertrouw Dam has dropped to 18.9% of its total full capacity.
Last year at this time it was 30.3 percent.
The Hluhluwe Dam also continues to drop and is standing at 23.6%, while the Klipfontein Dam has shown a slight increase and is now at 13.8%, 2.2% up on the levels of mid-December.
The Pongolapoort Dam has held steady with 37.6% of its capacity, compared to 37.7% in mid-December.
Northern regions
The irrigated sugar region of Pongola has recorded the least so far this year, with only 10.4mm being measured at the local SA Sugar Research Institute (SASRI).
The low-lying areas around the Makhathini Agricultural Research Council (ARC), below the Pongolapoort Dam, received 20.1mm, while Mkuze Estates was worse off with 18.8mm.
Areas feeding the iSimangaliso Wetland Park system has fared well and the lake is filling up nicely.
Kosi Bay, uMkhuze Game Reserve and False Bay have measured 80,23 and 51mm respectively.
Charters Creek recorded 57mm, Nyalazi 63.3mm and Mission Rocks 72mm.
St Lucia has had 90mm, Monzi 57mm and further inland, Dukuduku measured 50mm.
Forestry areas
The forestry areas around KwaMbonambi have received 86.8mm and Port Durnford 71.6mm.
SASRI has measured 53mm in Empangeni, despite heavy showers being experienced over the last few weeks.
In the south, rain continues to stay away from the Gingindlovu area, with only 19.7mm being measured.
Rainfall in the Goedertrouw Dam catchment area remains low.
eShowe measured 59.9mm and Entumeni recorded 56.4mm.
Varied rainfall in the Melmoth area saw the Imfuluzane Village measuring 60.4mm, McMurray farm 71.8mm and Merino farm 77.2mm.
Authorities continue to call on all residents to use water sparingly.
The region’s water situation is still far from satisfactory and winter is fast approaching, bringing with it more dry weather.
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