Theewaterskloof Dam
| Theewaterskloof Dam | |
|---|---|
 View of Theewaterskloof reservoir between Grabouw and Villiersdorp | |
| Location | Western Cape, South Africa |
| Coordinates | 34°4′41″S 19°17′21″E / 34.07806°S 19.28917°E |
| Purpose | Irrigation and domestic |
| Opening date | 1980 |
| Owner(s) | Department of Water Affairs |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Earth fill dam |
| Impounds | Sonderend River |
| Height | 25 m |
| Length | 646 m |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Theewaterskloof Dam Reservoir |
| Total capacity | 480 406 000 m3 |
| Catchment area | 500 km2 |
| Surface area | 5 059 ha |
Theewaterskloof Dam is an earth-fill type dam located on the Sonderend River near Villiersdorp, Western Cape, South Africa. Administratively it is located within Theewaterskloof Local Municipality. It was established in 1978 and forms a major component of the Western Cape Water Supply System.[1] The dam mainly serves for municipal and industrial use as well as for irrigation purposes. The hazard potential of the dam has been ranked high (3).
It is the largest of the 6 major dams in western capes with a capacity of 480 188 million litres. 8 minor dams also contribute to dam levels supplying water to province. A dry period of rain in 2017 saw the levels drop to 12.9 %.
Water restrictions
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| A heavy rain event in june 2017 saw an increase in the catchment areas and level increased to over 15%.
The last 10 % is mostly unuseable. Water restrictions by provincial government to meet a target of 600 million litres of water per day was introduced in 2016[2]. Currently, residents are restricted to 100 litres of water per day with car washing , pool level filling and lawn watering not allowed. Media footage of the declining dam level sparked the importance of conserving water. Provincial government is considering tapping into a sensitive aquifer and investing in a desalination plant to alleviate water supply.[3]It is expected that at least 3 years (past 2020) of winters for this dam to return to previous healthy levels. | |
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Social events
The Theewaterskloof Dam is also the home of the annual Synergy Live music festival, one of the biggest outdoor music festivals in South Africa, which typically takes place on the last weekend of November or the first weekend of December.[4]
See also
References
- ^ List of South African Dams from the Department of Water Affairs
- ^ "https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Residential-utility-services/Residential-water-and-sanitation-services/2016-residential-water-restrictions-explained". www.capetown.gov.za. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
{{cite web}}: External link in|title= - ^ "Western Cape dam levels up only 1.5% after storms". www.enca.com. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
- ^ "Synergy". Synergy. 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
External links
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