Hardap Dam reaches 75% capacity, inflows increase

The Hardap Dam in southern Namibia recorded a substantial water increase on Monday, with an additional inflow of over 4.695 million cubic metres pushing its capacity to 76.6%.

This was confirmed by the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) in a press statement on Tuesday, which also highlighted the water levels of the Neckartal Dam.

“The Neckartal Dam, Namibia’s largest dam, stands at 99.6% full capacity, following a healthy inflow of +70.959 million cubic metres. Naute Dam is also in a favourable position at 85.1 %full capacity,” reads the statement.

NamWater added that the continued inflow of water in key national dams that took place from 7 April is strengthening the country’s overall water security.

Smaller dams such as Otjivero Main, Otjivero Silt, Tida Viljoen, Daan Viljoen, Dreihuk and Bondels also registered moderate gains, highlighting broad-based improvements in the national surface water system.

The water authority thus warned residents downstream of leaking dams in lower-lying areas to be cautious and on the lookout for potential floods.

“Communities are urged to use caution and refrain from taking needless risks when near bodies of water,” it said.

Importantly, NamWater stated that while recent inflows are a positive development for water security, conservation remains crucial to ensure long-term water security.

Meanwhile, the Neckartal Dam started overflowing late Monday evening.

NamWater reported on its social media sites that water started cascading over the dam into the Fish River, heading toward a weir (a low-head dam) 10km downstream and then flowing to the Orange River.

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