Slight rise in dam levels

Slight rise in dam levels The first inflow of the rainy season has led to a slight rise in water levels at strategic water-supply dams such as Von Bach, Omatako, Hardap and Naute over the past week.

A NamWater dam bulletin issued on Tuesday shows the Von Bach Dam level has risen from 9.7% to 12.1% since December 27.

The Omatako Dam, which was empty on 27 December, now stands at 0.5% of capacity. The Swakoppoort Dam remains unchanged at 5.9% of its capacity, compared to 16.5% at the same time last season.

The level of the Hardap Dam also rose over the past few days. The dam is now at 28%, compared to 22.1% on 27 December.

Slight rises in water level were measured at the Otjivero main dam, the Otjivero silt dam and the Daan Viljoen Dam in the Omaheke Region by 3 January, in addition to the Bondels Dam, Naute Dam and Dreihuk Dam in the south.

River levels also continue to rise as a result of rain in catchment areas.

According to the 3 January hydrological report, the Kavango River is currently at 2.61 metres at Nkurenkuru, and 4.88 metres at Rundu. Last year the level at the Rundu station was at 5.69 metres.

The Orange River level remains low, measuring 0.32 metres at the Blouputs station.

No levels have been put on record for the Zambezi River, which was at 0.81 metres this time last year.

JANA-MARI SMITH