By Staff Reporter
The average dam levels in Mpumalanga Province remain stable at 99.9%, with most listed dams recording levels above 100%, according to the latest Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) Weekly State of Reservoirs Report, published on April 14, 2025.
The reservoirs report said the provincial average has remained unchanged for the third consecutive week at 99.9%.
However, slight decreases were noted in the Water Management Areas (WMAs), with the Limpopo-Olifants WMA declining from 96.4% to 96.0%, and the Inkomati-Usuthu WMA dropping slightly from 99.1% to 99.0%.
The DWS Weekly State of Reservoirs Report provides weekly updates on the water levels in key South African dams, offering a snapshot of the water situation and assisting water managers in making informed decisions.
The report tracks changes in dam levels, including those in specific regions and provinces, helping to identify potential water scarcity issues and guide water management strategies.
In a statement, Wisane Mavasa, DWS spokesperson, noted variations in trends within the Lowveld and Ehlanzeni Districts, where most dams remain above 100%.
Klipkopjes and Witklip dams, on the other hand, remained steady at 100.2% and 100.6%, respectively.
Mashava said dams which showed improvements include Driekoppies rising from 93.3% to 93.5%, Primkop Dam rising from 101.1% to 101.3%, Inyaka Dam rising from 96.5% to 96.6%, and Ohrigstad Dam rising from 72.0% to 74.2%.
On the other end several dams recorded decreases in water levels with Blyderivierpoort Dam dropping from 100.9% to 100.7%, Buffelskloof Dam from100.6% to 100.5%, Longmere Dam from 101.1% to 100.9%, Kwena Dam from 100.8% to 100.6%, and Da Gama Dam recorded a drop from 100.8% to 100.3%.
She said most of the listed dams in the Gert Sibande District experienced decreases in levels with only Grootdraai and Morgenstond dams recording some improvements, increasing from 101.2% to 101.6% and 99.3% to 100.1% respectively.
“On the decline, Nooirgedacht Dam dropped from 100.5% to 99.6%, Vygeboom Dam from 100.9% to 100.6%, Jericho Dam from 100.9% to 100.2%, Westoe Dam from 100.4% to 99.8%, and Heyshope Dam from 101.3% to 101.1%,” said Mavasa.
“Only Loskop Dam recorded a decrease in the Nkangala District, dropping from 103.2% to 101.9%. The other listed dams recorded improvements with Witbank Dam increasing from 98.1% to 99.4%, Middelburg Dam from 95.7% to 99.3%, and Rhenosterkop, also known as Mkhombo Dam increasing from 101.1% to 101.8%.”
Mavasa said the DWS reminds all South Africans that the country remains water-scarce, making responsible water use and robust conservation efforts essential for ensuring long-term water security.
“Citizens are encouraged to adopt water-saving habits in daily life and to help safeguard water infrastructure against theft and vandalism, which can result in unnecessary losses of this vital resource,” she said.
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