Dams remain at above 85% of capacity

Dams remain at above 85% of capacityLong rain stay-away worries nation Although rain has subsided for a long spell now, the country’s dams continue to carry the hope for survival. ELLANIE SMIT







WINDHOEK

Eight of the country’s storage dams are still more than 95% full, of which two are filled to their capacity.

The total average level of Namibia’s dams at the beginning of this week stood at 87.1%, declining slightly from 88.1% the week before.

This is, however, still much higher than last season, when the total average level was only 31.1%.

According to NamWater’s latest dam bulletin issued on Monday, the level of the country’s dams decreased with 15.7 million cubic meters of water.

In the central areas of Namibia, the average dam levels stood at 93%, compared to last season’s 81.6%.

The Swakoppoort Dam is now at 98.2% of its capacity, while the Von Bach is 82.4% full and the Omatako Dam is at 95.7%

Meanwhile, the Friendenhau Dam is 98% full and the Goreangab Dam is at 101%.

Southern, eastern dams

In the south, the average level of the dams stands at 92.3%, compared to last season when it was only 25.5% full.

The Hardap Dam is currently 70.7% full, while the Neckartal Dam’s level stands at 99.7% and the Naute Dam is at 101.2%.

These are the three largest dams in the country.

Furthermore, the level of the Oanob Dam stands at 98.2%, the Dreihuk Dam at 41.8% and the Bondels Dam at 33.1%.

In the east of the country, the total average of the dam levels is 42.5%, which is only slightly higher than last season’s 40.3%.

The Otjivero Main Dam is 58.1% full, the Otjivero Slit Dam 13.4%, Tilda Viljoen Dam 78.3% and Daan Viljoen Dam 99.5%.

In other parts of the country, the Omaruru Delta Dam - located in the Erongo Region - is empty, while last season it was at 3.1% of its capacity.

The Omatjenne Dam in Otjozondjupa is also empty, compared to the 4.4% it was at last season.

Finally, the Olushandja Dam in Oshana is 15% full, compared to last season’s 28.5%.