Key Takeaways
- The Vaal Dam is currently above full capacity, with a level of 104.20% and an inflow of 327.6 cubic meters per second.
- The dam’s level is 80 percentage points higher than it was at the same time last year.
- Authorities are closely monitoring the system due to the risk of strong currents and hazardous conditions along rivers and spillways downstream.
- A dramatic rescue operation was undertaken to save four men who were trapped on the edge of the Grootdraai Dam spillway.
- The rescue was a multi-agency effort, involving the National Sea Rescue Institute, the Department of Water and Sanitation, police, and emergency medical services.
Introduction to the Vaal Dam’s Current State
The Vaal Dam has ended the year on a high note, with its water level significantly higher than it was last year. As of December 30, 2025, the dam was recorded at 104.20%, with an inflow of 327.6 cubic meters per second and an outflow of 247.2 cubic meters per second. Two dam gates remained open to manage the excess water, and the water temperature was recorded at 24.2°C. This is a significant improvement from last year’s levels, and authorities are closely monitoring the system to ensure that the excess water is managed safely.
A Decade of Contrasts in Vaal Dam Levels
A comparison of the Vaal Dam’s levels on December 29 over the past decade reveals a sharp contrast between 2025 and several critically dry years. In 2025, the dam stood at 103.55%, slightly lower than the previous day, with one gate open. This follows another high-water year in 2022, when the dam measured 102.90% with two gates open, and 2021, which peaked at 108.10%, also with two gates open. In stark contrast, the dam was at just 24.25% in 2024, reflecting one of the lowest December levels in recent history. Similarly low levels were recorded in 2016 (43.51%), 2019 (50.22%), and 2020 (51.10%). Moderate levels were observed in 2023 (66.10%), 2018 (73.75%), which marked the lowest point for that year, and 2017 (80.43%). Higher but stable levels were recorded in 2014 (82.84%) and 2015 (54.33%).
Dramatic Rescue at the Grootdraai Dam Spillway
The risks associated with high dam levels were underscored on Monday night when four men were rescued from the edge of the Grootdraai Dam spillway near Standerton, Mpumalanga. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said its Witbank and Gauteng stations were activated on Monday, December 29, following an urgent request from police divers. The men were trapped in heavy, flowing water, clinging to their ski-boat as it hovered on the brink of the dam wall spillway, facing a drop of about 40 meters into the Vaal River. It appears that the four men may have experienced motor mechanical failure to their ski-boat and had drifted to the edge of the dam wall.
Multi-Agency Response to the Rescue
Rescue crews traveled more than 140km from Witbank and 143km from Benoni, while members of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), police, emergency medical services, and fire and rescue teams were already on scene but unable to reach the men. In a critical intervention, a DWS official opened three sluice spillway gates, creating a vacuum that reduced overflow pressure and prevented the boat from being swept over the edge. NSRI has commended the Department of Water and Sanitation for what they achieved by opening the three sluice spillway gates. NSRI Witbank station commander Travis Clack described the operation as a high-risk, time-sensitive rescue. Strong winds of 12 to 14 knots complicated the approach, but rescuers eventually used a throw line to pull all four men away from the spillway in a single maneuver.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The Vaal Dam’s current state is a significant improvement from last year’s levels, and authorities are closely monitoring the system to ensure that the excess water is managed safely. The dramatic rescue operation at the Grootdraai Dam spillway highlights the risks associated with high dam levels and the importance of a multi-agency response to emergency situations. As the dam’s level continues to be monitored, it is essential to ensure that the water is managed safely and efficiently to prevent any potential hazards or risks to people and the environment. The Vaal Dam’s water level is expected to continue to be monitored closely, and any necessary measures will be taken to ensure the safety of people and the environment.
