Clanwilliam Dam, an almost R 6 billion project, is a significant investment in the West Coast Region and is Planned to be completed in May 2029. It involves raising the dam by 13 metres and this will almost triple its water yield and bring economic spinoffs for the region. The main beneficiaries will be local farmers, households and emerging farmers. During the construction phase, the project is expected to generate substantial economic opportunities for regional entrepreneurs.
The overall progress of raising the dam wall that is at 26% and the current main focus is on the intake coffer wall. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) recently took the decision to release water in the dam to a lower level (from 95% capacity to 75% capacity) to enable the construction of the coffer wall, which supports the erection of the 56 m-high intake tower situated upstream of the dam wall. The intake tower is a critical component of the project and lies on its critical path. Its construction involves 18 months of excavation work, followed by 20 months of tower construction, totalling 38 months. There are no reports of disruptions of water supply downstream during the lowering of the dam and no report of loss of life or damage to property.
Earlier phases prepared foundations, apron protection and demolition/drilling to ready the dam for the higher crest and new hydraulics. These works improve stability and flood safety as required by dam safety assessments.
