JOHANNESBURG - Residents near the Vaal Dam area, have been admiring the massive volumes of water flowing down the river this Saturday.
Ten sluice gates are now open due to the high volumes of water from this week's heavy rains.
Water and Sanitation spokesperson Wisani Mavasa said the department had to act quickly to manage the inflows.
“We have seen today that the inflows have now decreased from upstream into the dam, but we are still maintaining the release of 1.5 million cubic metres of water through these ten sluice gates downstream into the Vaal River system,” he said.
While officials say the move was necessary, some residents living nearby say they are worried.
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They have experienced only minimal damage so far, but fear they will bear the brunt if more gates are opened.
Mavasa acknowledged that there are differing opinions, but says the department is doing everything possible to protect communities.
“We are making sure that everyone downstream is not highly affected by the releases, and that nothing is caused by negligence on our side,” he said.
Some people have suggested that more water should be released because of the possibility of further rainfall. But Mavasa said the department does not operate dams based on fear or speculation.
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“Our dams have capacities that are meant to store water. This particular dam, Vaal Dam, has a capacity of up to 126%."
“As such, we have been managing this dam within the parameters of what the predictions are.”