Dam levels remaining low

A WEEK of rain in the central parts of Namibia has not helped to raise the levels of dams supplying water to the Windhoek area.

With the three dams supplying water to Windhoek – Swakoppoort, Von Bach and Omatako – currently holding only 14,7% of their capacity, the central part of Namibia will be approaching a new year with its dams remaining at perilously low levels, the Namibia Water Corporation’s weekly dam level update indicates.

A year ago, the three dams held a combined 32,4% of their capacity.

The Swakoppoort Dam, with a capacity to hold 63,4 million cubic metres of water, was only 17,9% full – holding 11,3 million cubic metres of water – on Monday. The Von Bach Dam had 23,7% capacity on Monday. Von Bach, which holds 48,5 million cubic metres of water when full, stored 11,4 million cubic metres of water on Monday.

A year ago, Swakoppoort was 44% full, while Von Bach’s level was at 42,6% of its capacity. The Omatako Dam, which can hold 43,5 million cubic metres of water, remains empty after last week’s rains.

In southern Namibia, the Hardap Dam – Namibia’s largest, with a capacity to store 294,6 million cubic metres of water – was 39,1% full on Monday, with 115 million cubic metres of water. A year ago, Hardap was 54,7% full.

The Naute Dam, the country’s second largest, is the best performer among Namibia’s surface water reservoirs. With a capacity to hold 83,5 million cubic metres, Naute is currently 74,9% full (62,6 million cubic metres of water). The Naute Dam’s level was 77% a year ago.

The Oanob Dam near Rehoboth, which can hold 34,5 million cubic metres, is now storing 13,5 million cubic metres and filled to 39,2% of its capacity.

In the Gobabis area, the Otjivero Main Dam is 48,2% full (77,7% a year ago), the Otjivero Silt Dam is only 7,2% full (37,6% a year ago), the Tilda Viljoen Dam stands at 57,7% (71,5% this time last year), and the Daan Viljoen Dam is 59% full (82,3% a year ago).

The Goreangab Dam in Windhoek is full (3,6 million cubic metres), while the Friedenau Dam west of Windhoek is 35,9% full (48% a year ago).

The only dams that received inflows over the past week are Goreangab, Friedenau and Otjivero Silt.

In northern Namibia, the Olushandja Dam, which has a capacity to hold 42,3 million cubic metres, is now 19,3% full (8,1 million cubic metres). A year ago, Olushandja’s level stood at

A WEEK of rain in the central parts of Namibia has not helped to raise the levels of dams supplying water to the Windhoek area.

With the three dams supplying water to Windhoek – Swakoppoort, Von Bach and Omatako – currently holding only 14,7% of their capacity, the central part of Namibia will be approaching a new year with its dams remaining at perilously low levels, the Namibia Water Corporation’s weekly dam level update indicates.

A year ago, the three dams held a combined 32,4% of their capacity.

The Swakoppoort Dam, with a capacity to hold 63,4 million cubic metres of water, was only 17,9% full – holding 11,3 million cubic metres of water – on Monday. The Von Bach Dam had 23,7% capacity on Monday. Von Bach, which holds 48,5 million cubic metres of water when full, stored 11,4 million cubic metres of water on Monday.

A year ago, Swakoppoort was 44% full, while Von Bach’s level was at 42,6% of its capacity. The Omatako Dam, which can hold 43,5 million cubic metres of water, remains empty after last week’s rains.

In southern Namibia, the Hardap Dam – Namibia’s largest, with a capacity to store 294,6 million cubic metres of water – was 39,1% full on Monday, with 115 million cubic metres of water. A year ago, Hardap was 54,7% full.

The Naute Dam, the country’s second largest, is the best performer among Namibia’s surface water reservoirs. With a capacity to hold 83,5 million cubic metres, Naute is currently 74,9% full (62,6 million cubic metres of water). The Naute Dam’s level was 77% a year ago.

The Oanob Dam near Rehoboth, which can hold 34,5 million cubic metres, is now storing 13,5 million cubic metres and filled to 39,2% of its capacity.

In the Gobabis area, the Otjivero Main Dam is 48,2% full (77,7% a year ago), the Otjivero Silt Dam is only 7,2% full (37,6% a year ago), the Tilda Viljoen Dam stands at 57,7% (71,5% this time last year), and the Daan Viljoen Dam is 59% full (82,3% a year ago).

The Goreangab Dam in Windhoek is full (3,6 million cubic metres), while the Friedenau Dam west of Windhoek is 35,9% full (48% a year ago).

The only dams that received inflows over the past week are Goreangab, Friedenau and Otjivero Silt.

In northern Namibia, the Olushandja Dam, which has a capacity to hold 42,3 million cubic metres, is now 19,3% full (8,1 million cubic metres). A year ago, Olushandja’s level stood at

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