GEORGE NEWS - George Municipality this week confirmed the successful "practical completion" of the raising of the Garden Route dam wall and the spillway construction which started on 13 May.
Practical completion is achieved when the works are considered fit for the intended purpose, although all minor works may not be fully completed.
For this significant project, the earthworks and concrete works had to be completed to be considered practically functional. Minor reinstatement works are still taking place, but the decision has been made that the site will be open to the public from Saturday 15 December, said the municipality in a statement.
Mayor Melvin Naik thanked all the role players. "We remain excited that this is a unique project design and a first for George and the Western Cape. Our ability to increase the storage capacity of our precious water resource is a positive step in the continued development of George. The early and successful practical completion of this project is commendable. I also urge everyone to continue to use our most threatened natural resource, water, sparingly and wisely. Section 2B water restrictions remain in place."
In order to complete the construction, the dam level had to be kept below 75% and when measured on Monday 9 December it stood at 71,54%. Water only needed to be drawn down in the first few weeks.
The dam's full supply level has been raised by 2,5 metres, which increases the total storage capacity of the dam by approximately 25%. The old crest weir height was 179,94m with a dam capacity of about 10 million cubic metres.
The spillway has been completed. Photos: Adrian van Molendorff
The new spillway weir height is 182,5m with a storage capacity of 12,5 million cubic metres. The new spillway is approximately 80m in length and varies between 3,7m and 4,7m in height (above existing ground levels) and is approximately 400mm to 600mm thick at the top of the wall. The municipality has completed a series of controlled burns to clear alien vegetation in areas surrounding the dam site that pose a fire risk.
A further is burn planned for February 2020 in the area directly surrounding the dam wall area (subject to weather conditions). Alien vegetation clearing for a width of approximately 50m along the stream edge of the Kat and Swart River systems upstream of the dam is expected to start early in 2020.
It will be managed by the Cape Agency for Sustainable Integrated Development in Rural Areas (Casidra).
This area was a major construction site and there may still be areas which require additional rehabilitation work. Use of the area will be solely at the risk of the public, and visitors are requested to proceed cautiously. Newly constructed works should be avoided at all times, and no children or adults must climb onto or over the works.
Enquiries may be addressed to Gvanniekerk@george.gov.za.
Read a previous article | Raising of Garden Route dam: Practical completion achieved
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