Downpours push four dams to spillage point

Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Wednesday January 11, 2017 15:27

Nnywane Dam, which is the smallest of the dams with a capacity of 2.3 million cubic metres gained over 10.6% of inflows from January 4 to 10, 2017 to reach 102.6%. Bokaa Dam, which supplies the Greater Gaborone is currently overflowing at 102.6% having gained 10% before the past week’s downpours.  The dam contributes 12.8% to the Greater Gaborone area and would supply for 13 months without inflow. Shashe and Ntimbale dams complete the quartet of rivers that have reached spillage point after recording 100.8% and 101.8% as at January 10, 2017.

The country’s biggest dam, Dikgatlhong Dam, which has a capacity of 400 million cubic metres has almost filled up after gaining 7.8% to reach 99.6%. Others such as Letsibogo (65.5%), Lotsane (96.4%), and Thune (46.4%) dams have recorded good inflows within the same period.  However, Gaborone Dam, which contributes 38% to the Greater Gaborone, remains way below the 50% capacity.  As at January 10 it was 21.6% after gaining 8.1% from 13.5% as at January 4, 2017, which is a reasonable amount considering its size of 141.4 million cubic metre-capacity.  According to information from the corporation, at its current level, Gaborone Dam can supply the Greater Gaborone for nine months without inflow.

Since last Thursday, the country has been experiencing heavy downpours that have damaged some properties and left a few families homeless in some areas.