All four the radial gates (sluice gates) at Witbank Dam were opened in order to test their functionality earlier this week.

With the thumbs up from SCIP Engineering one sluice gate remained opened on Monday, January 16 at 300mm, with estimated discharge of 22m³ p/s.

It was a beautiful sight when a sluice gate was opened on Monday, January 16.

Witbank Dam is the biggest municipal dam in the Southern Hemisphere and is optimally managed at levels between 95% to 100%, although it can hold up to 108%. These levels are adjusted subject to the time of the year and rainfall intensity.

The last highest recording of 99.7% was logged on 16 April 2014.

WATCH VIDEO HERE: VIDEO: Witbank dam opens the sluice gates

“We are also keeping one sluice gate open to regulate the level around 95% and we are releasing our 5.7% obligation in to the river system,” said the Municipal Manager, Mr Theo van Vuuren who was on site when the sluice gate was opened.

Levels are still rising and heavy rains upstream have been reported which will see the dam level rapidly increasing.

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