Dam levels update

The latest average dam level for dams in the Western Cape is 54.02% (2020: 36.7%) while the latest average level for dams providing water to the City of Cape Town, is 75.3% (2020: 54.8%).

Anton Bredell, the minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, says the province is now heading into the winter months.

“The province is traditionally a winter rainfall zone and we tend to get the bulk of our rainfall in the winter months. We expect this to be the case this year too. We have already seen a rather wet end to autumn with a severe storm that affected the Overberg in particular a few weeks ago, which indicates that we may be in for a wetter than normal winter.”

Bredell says municipalities across the province continue to prepare for the winter months, fixing broken pipes and clearing blocked drains where reported.

“In the City of Cape Town teams from the City’s Roads and Infrastructure depots are targeting the areas that are worst affected by extensive illegal dumping and the blocking of stormwater drains. The capacity at the city depots are being increased to ensure the city can reach as many of these areas as possible ahead of the winter rains. Across the province, emergency services and disaster entities remain on standby as well.”

Major Dam statistics

Voëlvlei dam – 61.7% full this week (2020: 51.2%. Last week: 61.8%)

Bergriver Dam 85.7% full this week (2020: 68.8%. Last week: 83.5%).

Theewaterskloof dam – 80.7% full this week (2020: 51.6%. Last week: 80%)

Garden Route dam – 100% full this week (2020: 94%. Last Week: 100%)

Clanwilliam Dam 19.3%. (2020: 6.1%. Last week: 16.7%) 

Data from National Department of Water and Sanitation