Vaal Dam Level Today
On the Vaal River, Free State. Full supply capacity 2561 million m3. Current as of 2026-06-29.
This dam is over 100% of its full supply capacity - the level officially counted as "100% full". The extra water is held in flood-reserve storage above the normal full level, so water is usually spilling over the spillway or being released through the sluice gates to protect the dam wall, and rivers downstream can run high. It is the opposite of a shortage: the dam is full and overflowing.
Recent trend: Over the last 5 weeks, Vaal Dam has fallen 3.2 percentage points - about 0.64% per week.
Vaal Dam Level History
Showing 11 weekly readings from 2025-10-13 to 2026-06-29.
About Vaal Dam
The Vaal Dam is the backbone of water supply for Gauteng, managed by Rand Water. It is fed by the Sterkfontein Dam via the Tugela-Vaal Transfer Scheme and supplies roughly 13 million people across the Gauteng city-region. Although the dam wall sits on the Free State / Mpumalanga boundary, operationally this is Gauteng's water source. Levels here directly drive water restrictions in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Vaal Dam has a full supply capacity of 2561.0 million cubic metres (Mm3) and sits on the Vaal River in Free State. At 104.1% full, the dam currently holds roughly 2666.0 Mm3 of water, equivalent to about 2665970 million litres.
Which Towns and Cities Does Vaal Dam Supply?
Vaal Dam supplies water to Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng and Emfuleni.
Key supply areas: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng, Emfuleni.
Other Dams on the Vaal River
Vaal Dam is one of 5 dams we track on the Vaal River. Sorted by capacity:
| Dam | Province | Cap (Mm3) | Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloemhof Dam | Free State | 1243 | 104.5% |
| Grootdraai Dam | Mpumalanga | 350 | 99.2% |
| Vaal Barrage | Free State | 54 | 96.8% |
| Vaalharts Weir | Northern Cape | 51 | 90% |
Vaal Dam - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vaal Dam running dry?
No, Vaal Dam is not running dry. At 104.1% full, the dam has adequate water reserves.
When was Vaal Dam last full?
Based on available weekly data, Vaal Dam most recently reached 99%+ full around 2026-06-29.
What cities does Vaal Dam supply?
Vaal Dam supplies water to Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng and Emfuleni. The Vaal Dam is the backbone of water supply for Gauteng, managed by Rand Water. It is fed by the Sterkfontein Dam via the Tugela-Vaal Transfer Scheme and supplies roughly 13 million people across the Gauteng city-region. Although the dam wall sits on the Free State / Mpumalanga boundary, operationally this is Gauteng's water source. Levels here directly drive water restrictions in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
What river is Vaal Dam on?
Vaal Dam is on the Vaal River in Free State. Other dams on the Vaal River include Bloemhof Dam, Grootdraai Dam, Vaal Barrage.
How is the Vaal Dam level trending?
Vaal Dam is currently at 104.1% full. The level is stable, with a change of only 0.4% from last week. The level is similar to the same period last year (107.8%).
Other Dams in Free State
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