Western Cape dam levels slightly better than in 2019

The average dam level for the Western Cape at the start of the 2020 year is 53.9% for the province, slightly better than last year at this time when the level was 51.2%.
The level of the Voëlvlei Dam is on 76.8% full this week (2019: 80.1%. Last week: 78.6%).

Anton Bredell, the minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, says continued early weather predictions for 2020 indicate that the season ahead may not see the rainfall that is needed in all the regions.

“This means we continue to proactively urge communities across the entire province to use water responsibly. We need to permanently reduce our water use as the resource is finite and demand keeps increasing.

Bredell says the province continues to monitor and provide support to areas where extreme drought continues.

“We continue to be most concerned about the Karoo region of the province where the Gouritz River catchment sees average dam levels of only 15.5% at the moment, depite recent rainfall in the region. The area continues to rely largely on groundwater for drinking and presently all communities still have sufficient drinking water. Farmers in those regions continue to be most affected and we urge them to contact the provincial department of agriculture for assistance.”

Major Dam statistics

Voëlvlei dam – 76.8% full this week (2019: 80.1%. Last week: 78.6%)

Bergriver Dam 87.8% full this week (2019: 86.7%. Last week: 89.7%).

Theewaterskloof dam – 64.3% full this week (2019: 48.3%. Last week: 65.7%)

Clanwilliam Dam 56.4%. (2019: 63.6%. Last week: 60.7%) – (Media Release)