Western Cape feeling the heat, but dam levels remain up on last year

Theewaterskloof Dam is 92.86% full, down from 94.42% last week. (90.01% in 2021). Picture: Ian Landsberg/African News Agency

Theewaterskloof Dam is 92.86% full, down from 94.42% last week. (90.01% in 2021). Picture: Ian Landsberg/African News Agency

Published Jan 17, 2022

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CAPE TOWN - Despite a scorching hot summer season across the Western Cape, the levels in the province’s dams look good compared to the same time last year.

The average level for dams in the province this week is 78.05% full, slightly down from last week’s 79.74%. However, it is significantly better than the same time last year, when the average provincial dam level was 67.77%. This is according to the latest data supplied by the Department of Water and Sanitation.

Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell said: “The good rainfall received during the winter months are still evident in our dams throughout the province. We are now heading into the second half of summer, and this is the time of the year when we start asking if our reserves will last until the next rain season in the coming winter.

"At this stage there is no reason for concern, but at the same time we cannot get complacent, and I urge you to continue using water as a scarce and precious resource.”

The current average level for dams providing water to the City of Cape Town is 90.64%, dropping from 92.28% in the previous week.

These dams were 87% full at the same time last year.

The latest figures from the department for major dams across the province show a slight decline compared to the past week:

  • Voëlvlei Dam is 86.28% full, down from 88.31% last week. (82.10% in 2021).
  • The Berg River Dam is currently 91.83% full, down from 93.63% last week. (87.78% in 2021).
  • Theewaterskloof Dam is 92.86% full, down from 94.42% last week. (90.01% in 2021).
  • Clanwilliam Dam is currently 87.09% full, down from 91% last week. (65.89% in 2021).

Cape Times