Dam levels keep rising in the Western Cape

The latest dam level data released by the City of Cape Town on Thursday, 28 August, shows that the Western Cape’s six major dams have reached a combined 92.4% of total capacity, thanks to sustained rainfall across the province.

This marks a notable improvement from last week’s 90.5%, but remains below the same period in 2024, when dam levels exceeded 100%.

Dam-by-Dam Snapshot

• Theewaterskloof Dam (largest in the province):
  • Current level: 87.1%
  • Storage: 480 188 MI out of 898 221 MI capacity
• Voëlvlei Dam: 98.6%
• Berg River, Wemmershoek, Steenbras Lower, and Steenbras Upper dams have all shown further gains due to consistent winter rainfall.

Weather forecasts indicate that dam levels may continue to rise in the short term before spring sets in ahead of the summer season.

Authorities Urge Caution Despite Improvements

While the current figures are reassuring, the City of Cape Town is urging residents to continue using water wisely.

Officials warn that despite recent gains, long-term water security cannot rely on rainfall alone and must be supported by sustainable consumption practices and effective infrastructure management.

“We’re in a much better position than during the Day Zero crisis of 2017-2018, but we must never take our water resources for granted,” a City spokesperson said.

A Look Back

During the ‘Day Zero’ crisis, dam levels dropped below 20%, prompting emergency restrictions and global headlines.

Though conditions have since stabilised, authorities stress that climate variability and population growth continue to put pressure on water systems.

With more winter rain forecast, dam levels could inch closer to full capacity – but vigilance and conservation remain essential.

WESTERN CAPE DAM LEVELS

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