Cape Town dam levels Theewaterskloof

Photo: Richard Main

Theewaterskloof: Epic timelapse video captures three-year recovery [watch]

The Cape Town dam levels have declined as expected. So, we’re doing something different this week, and looking at Theewaterskloof’s remarkable recovery.

Cape Town dam levels Theewaterskloof

Photo: Richard Main

The Cape Town dam levels continue to head in the wrong direction. Despite the occasional rain shower appearing across the Western Cape this week, we haven’t had enough to help reverse the declines seen across the board. The reservoirs – and water-wise Capetonians – need a boost: So we thought we’d dig something out from Theewaterskloof that we’ve been saving for a rainy (well, dry) day.

Over 15 million litres of water has been lost over the past seven days from the combined totals of Cape Town’s major dams. The collective drop is 1.7%, and now the facilities are 67.4% full. At the current rate, it’s quite likely that the reserves will be less than two-thirds full at some point next week. But it’s not all doom and gloom…

Theewaterskloof dam levels: Epic timelapse video shows dam’s recovery

There’s no need to panic just yet. We’re 11.2% better off from what we saw in February 2019, and these weekly declines are the norm in the dry, hot summer months. Theewaterskloof, which is the biggest facility of its kind in the Western Cape, can also look back on its progress with a positive perspective.

What a journey: From the dangerously-dry conditions of 2017 – and the summer collapse in early 2018 – Theewaterskloof barely has the right to be so full. However, it’s painstaking three-year recovery process was aided by increased rainfall and the monumental efforts of locals, who cut down dramatically on their water consumption.

In 2017, it reached a level as low as 13%. In 2018, the faiclities flirted with the 10% barrier. February rainfaill and an unsually wet May-June in 2018 period continued to top Theewaterskloof up, which eventually smashed the 70% last winter. Although it has lost a bit of water recently, the reserve near Villiersdorp is 18% more full than it was this time last year – and almost five times better off than it was in February 2018.

Latest Cape Town dam levels, including Theewaterskloof

However, it does have to be noted that all six major dams saw a decrease in their water levels since Monday 11 February. Voelvlei, which lies to the south-west of Tulbagh, saw the biggest single weekly loss, with 2.9% of its water volume dropping over the past seven days. Theewaterskloof itself saw a decrease of more than 1%. It’s not the set of results any of us wanted, but with our long-term vision, we can take this on the chin.

  • Berg River: Down by 1.9%.
  • Steenbras Lower: Down by 1.9%.
  • Steenbras Upper: Down by 0.4%
  • Theewaterskloof: Down by 1.1%
  • Voelvlei: Down by 2.9%
  • Wemmershoek: Down by 1.9%

Cape Town dam levels for Monday 17 February

Major dams
17/2/2020
Previous week% 2019
Berg River80.5
82.4
77.9
Steenbras Lower
72.7
74.6
55.5
Steenbras Upper98.8
99.2
70.3
Theewaterskloof61.5
62.6
43.6
Voëlvlei
67.4
70.3
69.9
Wemmershoek
67.4
69.3
65.4
Total Stored Ml605 819
620 267
504 805
% Storage
67.4
69.1
56.2

Weather forecast for the Western Cape

Despite a few overcast conditions forecast for the next 24-48 hours in the Western Cape, only a smattering of rain will be recorded across the Garden Route this week. Cape Town may see the briefest of showers, but Monday’s extended forecast suggests that there will be no rainfall relief for locals any time soon.