More Relief at Vaal Dam as Evacuation Concerns Grow

More relief at Vaal Dam as evacuation concerns grow

Five gates were already opened on Monday, as the dam surged to 109.26% capacity.

Vaal, Bloemhof dam gates opened

Vaal, Bloemhof dam gates opened Estelle.Bronkhorst Tue, 11/18/2025 - 07:30 JOHANNESBURG - Continuous heavy rainfall means authorities are opening multiple sluice gates for controlled releases in the Vaal River System.Water outflows from both the Vaal and Bloemhof dams have been significantly increased to manage rising levels and prevent any risk to major water infrastructure.READ: Vaal residents prepare to evacuate, againThe Department of …

Vaal River System Update: Vaal And Bloemhof Dams Outflows To Be Increased To Manage Rising Water Levels, Amidst Recent Rainfall

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) will, in line with its flood management plan, increase water outflows at the Vaal and Bloemhof dams to 60 cubic metres per second (mᵌ/s) from 12 pm on the 14th November 2025, which have respectively recorded 102.78% and 98.32% in the morning. The water outflow at the Vaal Dam will increase from 17 to 60 mᵌ/s, Bloemhof Dam from 20 to 60 mᵌ/s. The outflows are necessary to manage the river systems for t…