KOUGA – Following the Kouga Dam’s first overflow in eight years during September 2023, new water allocations are now in place as dam levels decline to 59.67% amid persistent dry conditions and growing concerns over the region’s drought vulnerability.
As previously reported, on 29 September 2023, the Kouga Dam overflowed for the first time since 2015, which was a significant milestone considering the dam has only spilt 33 times since its construction in 1971.
In 2015, the Kouga Dam was at 100% but continued to decrease until the breakthrough in September 2023. Now, two years later, the dam levels have remained stable.
However, recently, Rienette Colesky, CEO of the Gamtoos Water Users’ Association, has noted that the current conditions in the catchment area remain concerning since they have not had any significant rainfall for some time.
“It is very dry throughout the catchment area and throughout the Kouga area. We have not received heavy rain for some time in the catchment area,” said Colesky.
With the Kouga Dam levels at 59.67% as of 24 November, she has acknowledged the region’s vulnerability due to its drought history.
“The dam level is well within limits and standards, but I do not feel comfortable with a dam of 59.67% mainly because the region went through a terrible drought previously,” said Colesky.
She said that typically, this time of year would see rainfall that assists with increasing dam levels by about 10% or more, but no significant precipitation has materialised.
On a positive note, Colesky said that agricultural users performed well during the past water year, which ended on 31 October.
She said that agricultural users used less than allocated for the year, at least 22% lower than allocated.
Colesky confirmed that the new water allocations were announced following a meeting with the Department of Water and Sanitation on 21 November. She said that the agricultural users in the Gamtoos, as well as in the catchment area, have been allocated 80% and restricted by 20% of their full quota, while the Kouga Municipality and the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro (domestic users) have been allocated 90%.
“Personally, I think that is a fair allocation, considering the total storage of the Algoa Water Supply System, which is currently at about 55.88% whereas last year it was on 77.6%,” said Colesky.
Despite the restrictions, Colesky expressed some optimism about the agricultural allocation. She further said that analysts have found the allocation to all users to be fair, which suggests that the dam levels will be sustained.
“I am very glad for the agricultural users. I think it’s a fair allocation in terms of agriculture,” said Colesky.
Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation, Wisane Mavasa, confirmed that the annual operating analysis for the Algoa Water Supply System for the 2025-2026 operating year (1 Nov 2025 – 31 October 2026) was conducted by the department and the results were presented at the stakeholders’ forum meeting held on 21 November.
“Restrictions were recommended by the collective. We are currently in the process of taking these recommendations to the delegated authority for gazetting in the South African Government Gazette,” said Mavasa.
She said that further details about the restrictions will be communicated once gazetted.
According to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, the dam levels as of 24 November are as follows: Churchill: 61.34%, Impofu: 45.66%, Loerie: 78.02%, Kouga: 59.67%, Groendal: 85.56%. The total combined level is 55.88%.
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