Cape Town’s dams hit 60% mark for the first time in 2 years

Cape Town’s dams have reached another critical milestone this week.

According to the City of Cape Town’s latest dam report issued Monday, the reservoirs across the city held a combined 60.1% of their total. It’s the highest mark in August since 2015, when dams were 72.3% full at the same point in the year.

As of 21 August, dams stand at 60.3% full, less than 5% short of ascending the City’s “danger zone”.

Additionally, it’s also the first time 60% had been reached at any point since 2016.

“The City of Cape Town is encouraged by the milestone that has been reached and thanks its water users for continuing to use as little water as possible in an effort to preserve the water that is in our dams,” the City added in a statement.

More important news lies within the report’s dam-by-dam figures.

The Theewaterskloof Dam is now at 44.3% full, and is now a little more than 5% short of its August 2016 level. It gained 0.8% over the previous week.

The Voëlvlei Dam is now at 64.6% full, gaining 1.5% over the previous week. Considering that the Cape’s most northerly dam was just 13.9% full in mid-April, it’s a remarkable recovery. It’s also the highest level the dam has seen in August since 2014, when it was 99.2% full.

The Berg River Dam has hit the 90% full mark for the first time in August since 2014. It gained 1.7% over the previous week.

Cape Town’s smaller dams also continued to gain in this week’s report.

The Steenbras Upper Dam is now 102.2% full, gaining 0.9% over the previous week. It’s Lower neighbour gained a full 8%, and is now 67.1% full.

The Wemmershoek Dam was the only reservoir to see minor gains in this week’s report, adding just 0.1% to its hold. Additionally, the City’s revised numbers issued on 21 August suggest the dam’s level has dropped to 83.1%. This August however remains its most bountiful since 2014.

Water consumption continues to be an issue for the City, with 527-million litres per day drawn from the dams last week. It’s still well above the City of Cape Town’s 450-million litres per day target.

Water restrictions remain at Level 6B.

Feature image: Andy Walker/Memeburn