WC dam levels: Heavy rains push Haarlem, Oukloof dams past capacity

Several dams in the Central Karoo and Garden Route have seen sharp increases following two days of heavy rain.  

The Western Cape Disaster Management Centre said dam spillages are affecting some informal settlements. 

Meanwhile, dams less affected by the weather have recorded only slight gains.  

The Disaster Management Centre said it was closely monitoring dams nearing capacity, as some have already begun spilling.  

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In the Langkloof Valley, Haarlem Dam is at 116%. 

In the Overberg, Buffeljags Dam is at 103%, while Oukloof Dam in the Central Karoo stands at 107%.  

Head of Disaster Management Colin Deiner said other dams were also rising steadily.  

“The dams that are on the rise, Leeugamka at 97% and Gamkapoort at 98%,” Deiner said.  

Elsewhere in the province, dam levels have increased modestly. 

Theewaterskloof Dam, the largest dam in the Western Cape, has risen by 0.8% points to 45%.  

Overall, provincial dam levels have moved from 44.3% last week to 45% this week.