Minister Pemmy Majodina visits Bloemhof Dam to assess infrastructure, 11 Apr

Following the visit to the Vaal Dam on Wednesday, the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina will proceed to Bloemhof Dam on Friday, 11 April 2025 to assess the water resource infrastructure amid heavy inflows into the dam, as well as the high water releases from the dam that have resulted in flooding in some areas downstream from the dam.

Over the past few days, Bloemhof Dam had to increase water releases to manage high inflows coming into the dam from the upper catchment. As at this morning, the dam is at 111.07% and water is being released at 2502 cubic metres per second (mᵌ/s) through five radial gates. The controlled water releases are necessary to manage the rapidly rising dam levels and to also manage the sustained high inflows and ensure safe operation of the dam.

The high-water level at Bloemhof Dam is due to the discharge of water from the upstream Vaal Dam, which is also over its full water supply capacity with 115.57%. The discharge of water is currently at 813.380 mᵌ/s and five sluice gates at Vaal Dam remain opened.

Due to the water release, areas downstream the Vaal and the Bloemhof Dams are experiencing flooding and settlements built along the floodline of the Vaal River System have begun evacuating.

Members of the media are invited to the event as follows:
Date: Friday, 11 April 2025
Venue: Bloemhof Dam, Bloemhof
Time: 10h00

For media confirmations:
Sanku Tsunke
Cell: 060 299 2915
E-mail: tsunkes@dws.gov.za

Katlego Bolokang
Cell: 082 610 5311
E-mail: bolokangk@dws.gov.za

Enquiries:
Wisane Mavasa
Cell: 060 561 8935
E-mail: mavasaw@dws.gov.za

Cornelius Monama
Cell: 083 271 0808

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